Young people’s resilience and the power to take action
The Youth Initiatives Forum and the power to take action – a power that sometimes comes from the ability to understand and adapt
What helps young people become prepared for the challenges of the future? How can they build the confidence that they can make a change around them? For us, the answer lies in resilience – in the ability to understand, adapt, and find solutions, regardless of the context.
Between 10 February and 10 March, we joined the Youth Initiatives Forum, an initiative dedicated to dialogue and civic engagement among young people in Romania. We were present in three cities, where we organised workshops for 164 young people, exploring together the connection between emotions, decision-making, and active participation in the community.
For us, it was an opportunity to better understand what concerns young people, how they see their future, and what motivates them to take action.
How did we work with young people?
To reach them, we created interactive workshops adapted to each group. We addressed topics such as mental health, interpersonal relationships, active participation, and critical thinking.
- In Ploiești, we used a gamified approach that gave young people a safe space to explore relationship dynamics and the way they make decisions. Through an anonymous exercise, they had the opportunity to express their concerns and actively contribute to shaping the discussion.
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In Pitești, the focus was on personal values and beliefs. Through a combination of self-reflection exercises and case studies, participants analysed how their experiences influence their perception of reality and their relationships with others.
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At Youth Hub, MeRAAki volunteers explored the impact of emotions on interpersonal relationships. The discussions were guided by a specialist and focused on managing emotions and understanding their influence on relationships with family, friends, and peers.
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With students from the Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, we explored how cognitive biases influence the perception of reality. A role-play exercise opened up discussions on manipulation and critical thinking, highlighting the importance of analysing information sources and asking the right questions.
What did young people discover?
Each group had its own dynamic, and young people entered the workshops with different expectations. Some were looking for concrete solutions for managing relationships, while others were interested in how to make more informed decisions.
Adolescents discovered that the learning process is not only about receiving answers, but also about asking the right questions. Students were surprised by how easily they can be influenced in the decision-making process and became more aware of the importance of critical thinking in everyday interactions.
Resilience is built through experience, reflection, and action. Through this initiative, we aimed to offer young people more than just a space for discussion -we created a context in which they could analyse their own beliefs, build self-confidence, and learn to act consciously.
For RAA, socio-emotional education is essential in working with young people. We will continue to support the development of resilience, critical thinking, and active engagement, providing young people with the tools they need to shape their own future.
