The rapid social, economic and technological changes taking place in the world today have led to the rise of social and emotional learning (SEL) as an essential requirement in positive human development and meaningful education. SEL competencies such as self-awareness, emotional regulation, problem solving, collaboration, understanding and empathising with others, embracing diversity and conflict resolution, are key 21st century competences.

The turbulences taking place in the Mediterranean region such as civil strife, violence, socio-economic hardship, forced displacement, human trafficking and child abuse, have directed academics', policy makers' and practitioners' interest towards SEL. SEL became an innovative avenue in preventing and addressing some of the main challenges being faced by countries in the Mediterranean basin in the healthy development and quality education of children and young people.

Social and Emotional Learning in the Mediterranean: Cross Cultural Perspectives and Approaches is the first publication of this kind to explore how the Mediterranean region is seeking to address the issues and challenges in the promotion and implementation of SEL. It is an attempt to raise awareness on the SEL policies, frameworks and practices taking place in the Mediterranean region, to share and celebrate good practices, and to critically reflect on the challenges faced in the effective implementation of SEL in the region, with recommendations for policy, interventions and research.
About the Author: Carmel Cefai, PhD, FBPS, is the director of the Centre for Resilience and Socio-Emotional Health, and Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Malta. He has published extensively in the area of resilience and social-emotional learning, including Mental Health Promotion in Schools (Sense Publishers, 2017).
Dominic Regester is programme director at Salzburg Global Seminar, Austria, responsible for designing and implementing programmes on education, conservation and societies of the future. He is on the Executive Committee for Karanga: The Global Alliance for Social Emotional Learning and Life Skills.
Leyla Akoury Dirani, PhD, is a child and adolescent psychologist and associate professor of psychiatry at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. Her research and her teaching encompass child development, child psychopathology, and parenting.