Przestrzenie, w których rośnie odwaga | Alicja Świtlik | TEDxGdansk

The transcript describes the anxieties of an 18-year-old, Kasia, facing a debate competition, symbolizing the broader struggles of young people. A study by the Unaveza Foundation revealed that over 180,000 young people experience loneliness, low self-esteem, and a lack of agency, with many feeling worthless and unable to cope with stress. A significant percentage feel alone, and some even express a desire not to live. This is exacerbated by societal judgment, pandemic effects, and academic pressures. The speaker introduces the concept of equipping young people with courage, motivation, and mental resilience, drawing from their five years of experience with an informal youth group. This group operates outside traditional school structures, focusing on creating conditions for young people to test themselves. Based on self-determination theory, motivation stems from autonomy (influence over one's life), competence (feeling capable), and relatedness (connection to others). When entrusted with projects, young people develop a sense of agency, believing they can make a difference. A "safe space" is crucial for this development. It's a physical place where young people can enter freely, an adult who listens and understands, and a group that accepts them without judgment. Examples like Marek, who overcame shyness to lead projects, and Julka, whose "inner critic" diminished, illustrate this transformation. Setbacks within this safe space are viewed as learning opportunities, fostering mental resilience as young people learn to recover from failures. The speaker emphasizes that creating a safe space doesn't require grand initiatives but rather a leader's willingness to ask simple questions, listen, offer choices, and be fully present. By providing opportunities to try and make mistakes, young people can strengthen their "agency muscle" and overcome their fears, ultimately choosing to "walk through that door." The transcript concludes with a call to action for listeners to identify those in their lives facing similar challenges and to offer support through presence and understanding.