‘There are two types of faith’: exploring young Portuguese people’s participation in world youth day

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to examine the significance of young Portuguese people’s experiences of participating in a global Catholic event, the World Youth Day, by discussing their motivations and learning opportunities. World Youth Day is seen as a major experience full of many small experiences that become part of the lifelong process of socialisation. These may include non-formal and informal educational experiences. The literature has pointed to the religious/spiritual significance of the event, but other aspects have yet to be studied. The present study used a mixed-methods methodology that included a questionnaire (N = 1,351) and 20 semi-structured interviews, to Portuguese young people participating in the event. The results showed that the religious/spiritual dimension was important as motivations and effects, but cultural and social aspects were also very relevant. Membership of a Catholic youth group was crucial in the decision to participate and to the process of learning to live with others. The Pope appeared as a central figure in the event, and the way he communicated with participants enhanced their sense of belonging to the Catholic Church.

KEYWORDS:

• Experiences
• informal education
• non-formal education
• participation
• youth
• World Youth Day

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [PhD studentship no. [PD/PB/114284/2016]. It was also supported by the FCT within the multi-year funding awarded to CIIE [grants no. UIDB/00167/2020 and UIDP/00167/2020].

Notes on contributors

Carla Cardoso

Carla Cardoso has a Master’s in Education Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto (FCPEUP). Doctoral student in Education Sciences at FPCEUP. Collaborating researcher at the Centre for Research and Intervention in Education (CIIE). Email: [email protected]

Sofia Marques da Silva

Sofia Marques da Silva has a PhD in Education Sciences from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto (FCPEUP). Associated Professor at FPCEUP. Subdirector of the Doctoral Programme in Educational Sciences at FPCEUP. Editor-in-Chief of Ethnography & Education (Taylor & Francis). Vice-president of SPCE - Portuguese Society of Educational Sciences. Full member researcher at the Centre for Research and Intervention in Education (CIIE). email: [email protected]

Teresa Medina

Teresa Medina has a PhD in Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto (FCPEUP). Assistant Professor at FPCEUP. Vice-president of the FPCEUP Pedagogical Council. President of the Scientific and Pedagogical Committee of the Peer Mentoring Programme at University of Porto. Full member researcher at the Centre for Research and Intervention in Education (CIIE). email: [email protected]