For over ten years, the United Nations in Ethiopia has been committed to ensuring that the children of its personnel not only navigate adolescence but thrive through it. Central to this mission is the UN CARES initiative, a dynamic program that goes beyond standard education to equip young people with essential life skills, preparing them to face modern challenges with resilience, confidence, and integrity.
The annual life skills training does more than impart knowledge; it builds character. Carefully designed to develop inner resilience, social agility, and strategic thinking, the program provides adolescents with the “psychological armor” necessary for the complexities of contemporary life. Participants strengthen self-esteem and emotional intelligence, learning to manage emotions rather than be controlled by them. They acquire practical tools to navigate peer pressure, communicate effectively, and assert boundaries positively, transforming them from passive observers into active decision-makers.
Over the years, the program has nurtured critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and moral courage, helping young people grow into leaders capable of tackling personal, social, and community challenges. By emphasizing integrity, empathy, and positive behaviors, UN CARES has consistently invested in a generation prepared for life beyond the classroom.
Empowering Futures, a magazine documenting this decade-long journey, captures the experiences of UN staff dependents while offering practical guidance for adolescents and parents alike. It highlights key aspects of adolescence, including emotional well-being, identity development, mental health, and social resilience. The publication translates ten years of lessons into actionable strategies that strengthen families and communities, fostering open communication, empathy, and mutual understanding.
The magazine showcases inspiring youth stories, such as overcoming stage fright, managing peer pressure, making critical decisions, and discovering personal identity. Adolescents reflect on real-life experiences, like navigating curfews, balancing screen time, or responding to COVID-19, demonstrating how life skills empower them to make informed, responsible choices. Activities such as “Letters to Parents” provide a safe space for self-expression and foster meaningful dialogue between teens and caregivers, enhancing family bonds.
The program also addresses contemporary challenges, including substance abuse prevention, nutrition awareness, digital literacy, and social cohesion. By blending traditional life skills training with modern approaches, the initiative equips young people to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, including national instability, public health crises, and the digital age.
Through robust monitoring and evaluation, UN CARES has consistently measured behavioral growth, improved emotional articulation, and strengthened parent–child communication. Feedback from participants and families underscores the transformative impact of the program, reflecting its enduring relevance and adaptability.
UN CARES Ethiopia’s life skills program demonstrates that investing in adolescents is not optional—it is essential for building sustainable, inclusive futures. By equipping youth with the skills to navigate life’s complexities, the initiative empowers them to become resilient individuals, capable of driving positive change in their families, communities, and beyond.
