Religious Education as the Foundation of Holistic Youth Development. The Perspective of the Pedagogy of Hope and Trust

In the face of the challenges of the modern world, young people often struggle with feelings of helplessness and lack of hope. UNICEF reports that nearly 20% of European teenagers suffer from mental health disorders. In response to these issues, the concept of the pedagogy of hope, particularly developed within Christian educational thought, is gaining significance. The pedagogy of hope emphasizes the integral development of the individual – physical, emotional, social, and spiritual – and promotes trust, critical thinking, and psychological resilience. This article examines the foundations of the pedagogy of hope and its potential as a response to the educational needs and challenges faced by young people.