Built with and for youth

Co-designed alongside over 10,000 children and adolescents in over 7 countries.

Holistic approach

Focuses on existential, emotional, social, and mental dimensions of life.

Participatory research

From advisory councils to youth-led data collection and interpretation.

THE SCIENCE OF MEANING:

One of the guiding academic voices behind YMI is Professor Habib Tiliouine, a renowned scholar in social and educational psychology at the University of Oran2 in Algeria. With nearly four decades of experience and numerous international publications on well-being, quality of life, and childhood development, Tiliouine brings a deeply rooted and culturally sensitive perspective to the YMI initiative.

A global need

One frequent critique of frameworks like YMI is their perceived Western or Nordic bias. But Tiliouine challenges this notion head-on. “This isn’t an Occidental crisis,” he insists. “It’s a global, human crisis—manifesting differently across cultures but rooted in a shared need for purpose and belonging.”

He points out that in collectivistic societies such as those in North Africa and the Middle East, traditional support structures are evolving. The shift from extended to nuclear family units, rising individualism, and youth disillusionment have created new existential questions. “Even in Islamic contexts, young people are reinterpreting religion, questioning inherited norms, and seeking a meaningful life on their own terms,” he says​.

A Platform for Purpose

In a recent interview, Laxmi shared her journey with YMI, describing it as “a platform where youth can raise their voices on topics often left untouched—like mindfulness, failure, and mental health.” For her, YMI offers more than data; it’s a mirror for young people to explore who they are and what truly matters.

Insights That Transform

The 2024–25 YMI report revealed compelling global trends: as children grow older, their sense of meaningfulness tends to decline, with notable emotional care gaps, especially among girls. But youth also express powerful aspirations—to contribute to society, grow intellectually, and build reciprocal relationships.

Laxmi resonated deeply with these insights. “It’s not about age—it’s your mindset that shapes your reaction to the world. When I read the results, I realized how much stereotypes limit our growth.”

She emphasized that meaning doesn’t always come from success or money. “Sometimes, it’s about family, mentors, or having a goal that lights you up inside.”

RISING FROM THE MARGINS:

Youth Meaningfulness Index (YMI) place the youth, their voices, and their lived experiences at the center of global conversations about well-being and purpose. One of those voices is Lasu Manasi, an 18-year-old South Sudanese refugee living in Uganda, an entrepreneur, and a changemaker. 

Meaning as a driver of growth

For Lasu, meaningfulness is not abstract. It’s “the great value of a person”—something that must reflect not just in individual lives, but in the decisions they’re empowered to make. He speaks of YMI’s role in shifting mindsets, helping young people understand their own value, while encouraging others to listen: families, communities, policymakers.

He sees meaningfulness as both internal and social: “It’s not about how big you are, but if you’re small, how can you still be seen and make people understand your growth?”

Despite YMI’s inclusive methodology, Lasu raises a critical point: digital access remains a barrier. Many youth in his community, especially refugees, struggle with limited internet access and devices. He advocates for creative solutions—podcasts, local radio shows, and simplified tools—to reach more young people where they are. “Everyone will love to share at their own will—if only they had the tools.”