Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

In many societies, the general public, professionals and policy-makers are asking an important question – how can we enhance the holistic development of young people, particularly in the service economy? Theoretically, there are different models on the “desired qualities” and the enabling developmental contexts (1). For example, the Search Institute has developed the framework of 40 developmental assets to clarify the key factors in adolescent growth and development (2) and emphasize the importance of adolescents’ skills, strengths, and interests. These 40 developmental assets focus on the important role that individual, family, school, neighbourhood, institution and community factors play in adolescent positive development (3). Specifically, the 40 development assets include 20 external assets and 20 internal assets. External assets refer to the positive experiences that adolescents have gained from the outside world, which include support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, and constructive use of time. On the other hand, shaping inner qualities (i.e., internal developmental assets) can help adolescents make healthy decisions and develop a strong sense of commitment and positive values, which are just as indispensable as external developmental assets (3). Internal developmental assets represent a positive personal intrinsic trait of an adolescent, including commitment to learning, positive values, social competence and positive identity.