The growing number of young people acquiring HIV infection and turning to drugs in the Asia-Pacific is an alarming sign of the urgent need for a new form of education that goes beyond teaching literacy and numeracy skills. Psychosocial competencies that enable young people to build self-confidence, and the ability to deal effectively and positively with demands in everyday life are not included in the school and non-formal education.

In the Asia and Pacific region, many children and adolescents living in disadvantaged socio-economic conditions either drop out of school at an early age or are never even enrolled. Disadvantaged youth, especially those living in poverty, struggle in their daily survival. Their precarious life circumstances are exacerbated by threats to their physical and mental health, posed by HIV/AIDS, drugs, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.

There is an urgent need for life skills training to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of young people living under socially and economically disadvantaged circumstances. Life skills training not only helps minimize high risk behaviour, but also builds young people's confidence for engaging in creative problem-solving to overcome the social and economic barriers to self-development.