Life Skills: Preparing Today's Youth For Uncertain Futures

Life skills have been debated extensively in the last decade not least because reflecting on what may best equip us in a VUCA world has acquired much urgency.

UNICEF, UNESCO, and WHO have chimed in by suggesting ten core Life Skills:

• Self-awareness

• Critical thinking

• Creative thinking

• Decision making

• Problem Solving

• Effective Communication

• Interpersonal relationships

• Empathy

• Coping with Stress

• Coping with Emotion

Categorizing these, one can place them into three broad categories:

• Thinking skills: Our logical and analytical brain faculties and that ability to think creatively. This underpins our ability to make rational decisions.

• Social skills: Our interpersonal and communication skills are critical when working in teams, leading them or advocating for a cause.

• Emotional skills: Our "soft" skills that include empathy, dealing with our feelings and coping with stressful situations and life's pressures. It also involves knowing oneself and our capabilities.