UNEVOC Connect

Social and emotional learning is a process of acquiring the competencies to recognize and manage emotions, develop care and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions and handle challenging situations effectively. It is a holistic process of learning grounded in ethics of care that links the cognitive with the social and emotional as well as relational aspects of learning toward supporting learners’ well-being, academic attainment, and active global citizenship for positive social change.

We define social and emotional learning (SEL) as an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.