Helping young people become leaders where they are
When the new academic year begins, hundreds of students will walk back into classrooms across Trinidad and Tobago.
They will study subjects that prepare them for examinations and careers.
But there are other lessons young people need too.
What happens when conflict arises?
How do you speak with confidence when you are nervous?
How do you work with someone whose personality is completely different from yours?
What does responsible leadership actually look like at 13, 14 or 15?
How do you move from recognising a problem to doing something about it?
These are the kinds of conversations at the centre of the Heroes Development Programme (HDP).
HDP returns to schools this September with an ambitious goal: to continue creating spaces where students can develop the personal and social skills that will shape how they show up in school, at home and eventually in the wider world.
The programme uses interactive learning, discussion, activities and real-life situations to explore leadership, communication, decision-making, collaboration, self-awareness and social responsibility.
It is not built around the idea that every student must become a prefect, captain or formal leader.
In fact, much of the programme begins by challenging that definition of leadership altogether.
A young person can lead by choosing not to participate in bullying.
They can lead by helping a classmate.
They can lead by starting something positive in their school.
They can lead by listening.
They can lead by taking responsibility when they make a mistake.
The Foundation is working towards expanding HDP to as many as 15 schools and approximately 1,000 students, giving more young people access to that experience.
There is a larger national question behind the programme as well.
What kind of adults do we want today’s students to become?
If we want thoughtful citizens, responsible professionals, ethical leaders and people who care about the communities around them, then that development cannot begin when they enter the workforce.
It begins now.
And schools are one of the most important places to start.
