H

ow do you imagine the future of your kids? 

As a parent, one of the most important things for me is to raise my kids in a way that prepares them for the future.  

With technology advancing at an unprecedented pace and the world becoming increasingly interconnected, it is difficult to predict exactly what the future will look like.  

Are schools the answer to a bright future? Or should we be focusing on developing other skills in our children? 

While education is undoubtedly important, Schools have failed to upgrade their curriculum to keep up with the changing times.  

The current education system is still heavily focused on traditional subjects and rote learning, rather than teaching practical skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. 

Therefore, parents must take a more active role in preparing their children for the future.  

What are the other ways to educate kids? 

Taking more control of how our kids are learning is important. Outside of the traditional school system, there are many opportunities for children to learn and develop skills that will be useful in their future careers.  

One option is online learning, which provides a flexible and personalized approach to education.  

How can we help our kids develop these skills? 

As parents, we can encourage our children to explore their interests and passions, provide opportunities for them to learn new things, and support them in taking risks and learning from failures. 

We can also be role models by continuously learning ourselves and showing our children the importance of adaptability, resilience, and continuous self-improvement. 

MaNaBu Movement creating change for tomorrow  

The MaNaBu Movement empowers children to unlock their full potential and become champions for a kinder, more inclusive, and sustainable future.  

MaNaBu Movement passionately believes in treating children as equals, actively listening, and engaging in dialogue with them rather than simply talking at them. Children are born to express their ideas, be valued, and have their voices heard. 

In today's rapidly changing world, staying competitive in the job market requires a unique set of skills. The World Economic Forum has identified five top skills that are crucial for success in the 21st century. These skills include creativity, digital skills, collaboration, Global Citizenship, and environmental stewardship. 

MaNaBu Movement, a groundbreaking educational approach, is a shining example of how these skills can be seamlessly integrated into learning and personal development. Let us explore how the MaNaBu Movement incorporates these skills into their programs? 

MaNaBu Movement offers a unique educational experience that prioritizes children's preferred learning methods - through enjoyable and engaging activities that encourage exploration of their passions. It fosters a culture of collaboration, communication, and understanding among young individuals.  

Additionally, MaNaBu empowers parents to effectively discuss current events, enabling both children and parents to become advocates and educators on real-world matters. This enables children to better understand the world around them.  

MaNaBu Movement Neighbourhood Impact - Environmental stewardship. 

One of the key focuses of MaNaBu Movement is environmental stewardship, as we believe it is crucial for creating a sustainable future.

Through these programs, children can learn about environmental issues and participate in activities promoting conservation and sustainability. 

The first youth-focused initiative organized by the MaNaBu Movement foundation took place in Croatia in June 2020 and was started by 7-year-old Maya who wished for one thing – to see her favorite park in Zagreb cleaned of cigarette butts. 

It might have seemed unusual to see kids cleaning up, but their efforts were filmed and shown on national TV, and incentivized so many amazing families and children who joined our MaNaBu Movements.

Over 20 clean-up activities followed the Kickoff throughout 2021 to clean up parks, gardens, schoolyards, beaches, and rivers despite the pandemic. 

 Through such community involvement, we empower our children to become active citizens in their local communities and create cleaner spaces for everyone to cherish. 

Empowering young people in Albania with IT skills and opportunities to find work globally - Digital Skills  

Inspired by a 9-year-old girl who, while visiting Tirana in the summer 2022, learned about BBC headlines stating that Albanian youth illegally enter the UK to join organized crime gangs.

The girl got upset and asked, ‘Why don’t we teach them how to make money from their iPhones and iPads so they can stay in Albania?’ MaNaBu Movement listened, engaged in the dialog, and, jointly with the girl, came up with a solution.  

The MaNaBu Movement Youth Virtual Assistant Program empowers youth with remote working skills, tools, and internationally recognized certifications. The mission is to enable youth to embrace global remote work opportunities while achieving financial self-sufficiency without leaving their home countries. 

The program's foundation is strengthened by a network of 27,000 Virtual Assistants and a circle of mentors with a global track record and reach. 

Virtual Assistants getting trained in Albania

This project aims to bring hope and new possibilities to Albanian youth, seeking to prevent the vilification of Albanian immigrants and the exponential rise of those who flee to developed countries and embark on a dangerous journey in search of a better life.  

MaNaBu Kids at the AI bootcamp in Kosovo -

Collaboration at the AI boot camp in Kosovo, which hosted over 40 sessions on AI, remote work, and entrepreneurship, 15 international experts of all ages, including young geniuses, and hands-on workshops with two global AI companies, MaNaBu kids, aka young geniuses highlighted their implementation of AI in everyday life.  

The MaNaBu kids' passion and ingenuity ignited a spark in everyone, proving that AI is not just for adults—anyone can be a world-changer, regardless of age. 

Saving a Planet is a Team Sport – Creativity, Collaboration & Environmental Stewardship  

With the support of dm (drogerie markt), this project inspired children to explore the realm of regenerative agriculture, learn about bee preservation, and foster collaboration to drive positive change. In partnership with local municipalities, we identified the underutilized urban areas where children and artists joined hands to adorn these spaces with vibrant nature-themed murals.  

Together, we embarked on a journey to enhance the beauty of our living environment, actively contribute to biodiversity conservation, and use uplifting messages to raise public awareness about the importance of environmental protection. 

 

Kids collaborating to take care of the environment

MaNaBu Movement Awesome Project – Worldschooling, Creativity & Collaboration 

With the support of the U.S. State Department and World Chicago, the MaNaBu Awesome Project took children on an exciting journey to explore the world around them.

The concept was inspired by a nine-year-old boy, and an eight-year-old girl, and the tours designed to help children reach their full potential in life, make them grow and glow and understand the importance of thinking sustainably in all aspects of their lives. 

 

Curiosity, and passion are not something children can learn but rather experience, and on the tours they have had the opportunity to explore new surroundings and learn from people who live their passion and creations.

On this discovery journey, they created their own products, and started to understand the value of collaboration in problem-solving, creation and one of the most critical entrepreneurial skills – readiness to act! 

Learning from real-life experiences, when all three sensors are engaged, is entirely different than learning from a book. Children are empowered to openly ask questions and learn from the amazing people they meet on their adventures.  

Scaling Movements across the globe through the MaNaBu Youth Ambassador Program - Global Citizenship  

Maya’s wish to witness her favorite park in Zagreb free from cigarette butts marked the beginning of the #MaNaBuMovement. Fast forward to 2022, and it has become a common sight in Croatian media to see children taking part in clean-up initiatives every day.

his positive trend has normalized community involvement, with an increased number of children eager to join in. It is also encouraging to witness the town's new leadership embracing this model and prioritizing the long-standing waste problem in Zagreb.   

In 2022, her participation at Tirana DNF kindled a need for a program that could empower teenagers to thrive globally while staying rooted in their home countries.  

Digital Nomad fest Tirana

Jakov, inspired by his 2020 Clean-up experience, initiated year-round Beach Clean-ups, enhancing his communication and leadership skills. This journey led him to become the leader of the MaNaBu Awesome Project and Saving a Planet is the Team Sport projects. 

Clean up drive by MaNaBu

The Clean-Up Movements spread from Croatia to Malta, giving rise to Project Safe Nature Time for All Ages.

This initiative aims to prioritize the beautiful nature around Marsaxlokk and create Safe Nature Time Experiences for people of all ages, whether through walking, cycling, running, or driving at a leisurely pace, while respecting the young and elderly in the area.  

We've also witnessed Movements taking hold in Bulgaria, Bansko, with an exciting new initiative planned for Chicago next year during Earth Day. 

Children are taking these small, powerful steps that inspire parents and adults to follow suit. These seemingly "small" actions yield tangible results, illuminating the path to a brighter future, one neighborhood at a time. 

MaNaBu kids involved in cleaning and spreadign positivity

By supporting MaNaBu Movement, you are not only helping children develop essential skills for the future but also creating a positive and lasting impact on their communities. Together, we can empower the next generation to become leaders and changemakers.

Let us continue to support our children and invest in their future. The possibilities are endless when we believe in them.  

 

© Maya Gerdes sharing the load
Posted 
Oct 6, 2023
 in 
Skills For Future
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