New: Do Developmental Assets Make a Difference in Majority-World Contexts?
Young people in developing countries who report more Developmental Assets are more likely also to report positive attitudes and behaviors related to five key international development priorities: Health, education, workforce readiness, civil society, and the prevention of violence. Focusing on more than 3,000 youth in four countries (Bangladesh, Honduras, Jordan, and Rwanda), the study shows that young people’s levels of assets in these developing nations is strongly correlated with these important goals for improving the lives of youth. It also showed that, among the youth surveyed, 59% experience fair or low levels of assets.
The study was conducted by Search Institute and supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development as part of the EQUIP3 agenda and was conducted in collaboration with Education Development Center, Inc.
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Developmental Assets
Since its introduction in 1990, Search Institute’s framework of Developmental Assets and its approach to community and social change has been grounded in the cultures and communities of the United States. In recent years, a number of youth advocates in other countries and international organizations have begun exploring how Search Institute’s work may be a resource in their efforts to promote healthy children, youth, and communities. We welcome these co-learners in the asset-building movement and seek opportunities to link with, support, and learn from these efforts.
Introducing Developmental Assets to New Countries and Cultures
Search Institute has prepared the following guidelines and suggestions for allies to who seek to introduce asset building to cultures and countries outside of North America. We offer these as starting points for dialogue and seek to learn from others as they explore these and other approaches.
- Learn from Asset-Building Initiatives Outside of North America*
- Hold local informal conversations
- Connect with other international asset builders
- Begin formal exploration of asset building in your specific context
- Establish a formal relationship
Translations of the Developmental Assets
Many communities have taken the time to translate our 40 Developmental Assets list into their primary languages. Although these translations have not been formally approved or reviewed for accuracy by Search Institute, we believe they have potential benefit for others. Click here to see the languages into which the assets have been translated.
Child Rights and Developmental Assets
The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child provides a useful starting point for international dialogue about asset building in international contexts as it calls on everyone in society to “build a world fit for children.”
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Spiritual Development
Search Institute’s research on spiritual development is the first Search Institute research agenda that has been launched with a global context in mind from the beginning. We are collecting data on spiritual development in 17 different nations, and we have advisors guiding the work from 19 different nations. Learn more about this emerging work at the Web site of Search Institute’s Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence.
