Indian Teens Keen on Actively Tackling Key Global Issues

Indian teens are more keen on making a difference in solving global problems than their counterparts in the rest of the world. They want to learn about all key global issues like climate change, pollution, economic inequality, poverty and so on, during their school days only. At least that’s what new research from Cambridge International Assessment Education (CIAE) suggested. CIAE, an arm of the University of Cambridge, largest provider of international education programs in the world and qualifications for 5 to 19-year-old, prepares school students for life and helps them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning.

The study said that young people in India are proactively taking action to tackle global issues and mince no word in saying that they want to pursue careers where they can make a difference in solving global problems.

Going by the findings of the Cambridge International research, as high as 97 percent of Indian students (teenagers) agreed that it is important to do so. This percentage is above the global average. That’s not all. Nearly 95 percent of students surveyed in India also agreed that it is important to discuss global issues at school and 45 percent of students surveyed said they will like to pursue a career where they can make a positive contribution towards solving global issues. Besides, 78 percent will consider what potential employers’ attitudes are to key global issues when applying for jobs in the future.

Interestingly, students around the world are motivated to make a difference and help tackle these issues. Nearly 92 percent of them said they take individual action to tackle their top issue of concern and four out of five students globally said they are keen on pursuing a career where they can make a significant difference.

Mahesh Srivastava, regional director, South Asia, Cambridge International, said that in a world that is constantly evolving with some huge global challenges ahead, they feel that it is even more important that students not only engage with key global issues, but also develop the skills to research, discuss and evaluate the facts, and work with others to understand different perspectives around the world. It is important that the students develop transferable skills and are aware of interdependence, globalization, cultural diversity, global issues and a sustainable future to be able to succeed in life, he said.

More than 11,000 students globally, aged 13 to 19, had taken part in Cambridge International’s first-ever Global Perspectives survey and shared their views on global issues; how they learn about them; how their awareness of these issues might impact their future career choices. Out of these 11,000 students, around 2000 respondents are from India.

Significantly, Cambridge Assessment International Education works with 10,000 schools, making Cambridge the largest international community of schools worldwide.