3 Reasons Why Developing Young People is More Important than Ever

Money Management Matters

A self-funded expedition is about more than booking a seat on a plane, it’s about putting students in the driving seat so that they develop skills for life. A key skill at any time is the ability to manage budgets and understand finances, but at a time when the country is feeling economic strain it’s more important than ever that young people have a solid grasp of essential money management skills.

The current climate also provides entrepreneurial students with an opportunity for innovation that will help them meet their self-funding targets, by coming up with clever money-making ideas that could provide a valuable service to others in the community. Nothing worth doing was ever easy, and those that really succeed in self-funding are the ones that live by one of Outlook’s core values, going beyond what is expected and finding new ways to overcome challenge.

Post-Pandemic Pandemonium

Before Covid hit, we were in the midst of a mental health crisis amongst young people and this situation worsened in the wake of the pandemic, with studies by the University of Sheffield and Ulster University, finding that up to half of young people feel significantly more anxious than before. While concerning, sadly this news is far from surprising, given that that students were denied social interaction, physical activity, access to organised groups etc. all of which are contributors to a person’s general wellbeing.

While life may be back to ‘normal’ there has been an understandable focus on academic learning – catching up on lost time. However, it’s equally (if not more) important that personal development continues to share the spotlight. An Outlook Programme provides an important opportunity to learn through challenge, building key attributes of resilience, confidence, and character – all essential tools to help young people tackle life’s challenges and get them ready for life.

Stronger Together

There are so many causes of division in the world right now, at a time when we really should be coming together as one, strong, global community. In 2020, the United Nations called for a ‘Decade of Action’ to prompt more ambitious action to deliver on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This three-pronged approach included local action, global action, and people action – in particular mobilizing young people to step up in solidarity as members of an international community.

One of the hugely important aspects of the Outlook Programme is learning to be a global citizen – someone who understands the world and their place in it. Someone who takes an active role in the community, to make the world a more equal, fair, and sustainable place for all. It’s essential at such a pivotal moment in time that young people are empowered to play a leading role in achieving the SDGs and gaining a greater understanding of the challenges faced by others around the world and what they can do to support them.

To discuss your next expedition, speak to one of the team today!