The theme of the conference was Diversity of Hope. In the midst of the climate crisis, pandemics, wars, economic crisis and other challenges that cause concern, young people need hope. In youth research, hope can be viewed both in relation to the past and the future. Hope can be seen in the tiniest everyday matters or equally in larger questions related to our entire planet. Hope can be seen in young people’s hobbies, free time or friends, as well as in education, working life and transitions to adulthood. Hope can be found in contemplating political matters or viewing moral or ethical questions. The aim of the conference was to view the life of young people, and contemplate how youth research can be utilised to create trust in the existence of hope.
Keynote speakers
The keynote presenters at the conference will be Senior Lecturer Dr Philip McDermott (Ulster University, Northern Ireland) and Professor, Psychiatrist Olga Osokina (Donetsk National Medical University and Kyiv Medical University, Ukraine). Philip McDermott discusses hope in conflicted protracted uncertainty. Olga Osokina examines the situation of children and young people in the midst of war. What kind of hope can be found there?
Organizers
The Annual Conference of Youth Studies 2023 was a joint collaboration between the Finnish Youth Research Society and Humak University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki campus.