Summary
Highlights
Cintia Cárdenas introduces module nine of the diploma in social development competencies and skills, focusing on responsibility and social projection. She emphasizes that young people are not just the future but the present, with the will to create a just society. Social responsibility is defined as a voluntary commitment and obligation to contribute to a more just society and protect the environment, driven by excellence and a desire to improve coexistence.
Building on Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, specifically the stage of formal operations starting from age 11, adolescents gain the ability to abstract, form hypotheses, and critically evaluate what is good or bad. This stage is crucial for young people to engage with the world and seek to make an impact. Cárdenas shares a personal anecdote of recklessness in adolescence leading to a present-day ability to face unknown situations without fear, highlighting the courageous and adventurous spirit of youth.
Drawing on Erik Erikson's psychosocial development stages, Cárdenas explains how social interaction and environment shape an individual's development. She focuses on the identity stage (adolescence) and industry stage (young adulthood), emphasizing that active participation in society helps form a strong personality. The critical changes during adolescence, though sometimes seen as rebellious, foster a desire to explore and improve the community, impacting personal growth and social relations.
Cárdenas argues that young people possess a unique openness to new experiences that adults often lack. She encourages youth to 'shout' their ideas when they feel unheard, citing examples like Greta Thunberg and Malala. These young activists, despite different backgrounds, amplified their voices to drive change and inspire others, demonstrating that youth have consistently been the driving force behind societal progress and development.
Key factors facilitating youth social responsibility include empathy, ethics, and a strong sense of belonging or 'citizenship.' Empathy, which develops from around age seven, allows young people to identify with others' states. Ethics provide a moral compass for conflict resolution. A sense of belonging encourages investment in improving one's community. Community service and volunteering are also vital, offering personal satisfaction beyond monetary gain. Benefits include fresh perspectives in community projects, active participation alongside other generations, and platforms for discussion. For youth themselves, it fosters life skills, promotes healthy development, and establishes them as agents of change.
In conclusion, Cárdenas reiterates that young people are agents of change, not just defined by their fashion or behavior. Despite societal conflicts, youth consistently seek to improve their communities, driving progress and taking the helm of society. She leaves listeners with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: 'Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will,' emphasizing the unparalleled will of young people to foster community improvement.