Bram Doolaege, a StreetwiZe story

If you thought your inbox was stressful, try following world news without worry. Inflation is peaking, the economy is faltering, and trust in politics is lower than the average temperature in Belgium. These days, we often speak of a permacrisis, a crisis that seems never to end. In the past, it was just a matter of 'biting the bullet' until the storm passed, but now that storm seems to have become a permanent climate.The consequences are significant: one in five sick reports are stress-related. And escaping into the virtual world offers little relief. Nearly half of young people experience stress from social media, and one in four feels insecure due to online comparisons. And yet, times of crisis demand creativity and resilience from all of us. But rest assured, there is hope.The GLOBE study shows that countries like India suffer less from uncertainty avoidance. People there are more flexible, more connected, and less fearful of the future. And it may sound surprising, but even young people growing up in slums often develop skills that make them stronger than us. This is not only demonstrated by research, such as that of Suniya Luthar, but also learned from our work with street children (www.mobileschool.org).

Perhaps it's time to swap the screen for some inspiration from unexpected quarters. As the young people of Latin America show us, even the most difficult circumstances can make you stronger. However, this does not happen by itself. It requires that we as leaders, parents, or young people ourselves develop the skills that these young people already possess. Think of flexibility, social support, and the ability to deal creatively with setbacks. During this keynote, you will learn how this can be achieved by combining science, social work, and entrepreneurship into practical, applicable tips with StreetwiZe.

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FORMAT: 

• Keynote