What we do
Italy: educating for global citizenship to address emotional distress and build a sustainable future
Youth, Wellbeing, and Awareness in an Interconnected World
Italy, a cradle of culture and civilization, is currently facing one of its most pressing challenges: the growing emotional distress among young people. According to ISTAT data, in 2021, 6.2% of adolescents aged 14 to 19 reported being dissatisfied with their lives. Rising mental health issues, social isolation, and a lack of tools to manage emotions have turned youth distress into a true educational emergency.
At the same time, there is an increasing need to foster conscious and engaged citizens— capable of facing global challenges such as the climate crisis, social inequality, and the defense of human rights—through education that nurtures empathy, critical thinking, and a sense of responsibility toward people and the environment.
ASIA's Commitment in Italy
Active throughout the country for over twenty years, ASIA promotes the values of Tibetan culture—centered on compassion, nonviolence, and interdependence—through cultural initiatives, exhibitions, and public events.
Since 2019, ASIA has expanded its work through educational projects in schools, with the intent to achieve several core outcomes:
- Combating emotional illiteracy by helping young people develop emotional and relational skills in inclusive environments.
- Promoting global citizenship education by raising awareness among students and teachers about the links between local actions and global impacts.
- Fostering responsible citizenship, empowering youth to contribute to sustainable development and to appreciate cultural and human diversity.
- Spreading values such as empathy, care, and nonviolence—fundamental for both individual and collective wellbeing.
Transformative Education for the Present and the Future
In times marked by environmental and social crises it is essential to invest in education that goes beyond the transmission of knowledge—one that shapes aware, resilient individuals capable of building a more just and sustainable world.