The Institute for Youth Development KULT organized the second panel during the promotion of the Analysis of Youth Political Literacy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, conducted by the Institute in 2024. The panel was held at the Archdiocesan Youth Pastoral Center “John Paul II”.
According to the survey, young people place the greatest trust in religious communities. The reasons behind this trust were explored in a discussion with Prof. Dr. Ahmet Alibašić from the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Prof. Dr. Šimo Maršić, director of the Archdiocesan Center and theologian, Prof. Dr. Pavle Mijović from the Catholic Faculty of Theology, and Prof. Dr. Sarina Bakić from the Faculty of Political Science.
The panel began with a discussion about the difference between personal faith and the institutions that represent religion, as well as the influence of tradition and the social context in BiH. Participants agreed that young people in BiH have a complex relationship with religious institutions, shaped by a range of social, historical, and cultural factors. The panel emphasized the distinction between individual belief and institutional religion, as well as differences in perception between youth in BiH and their peers in Western countries.
One key insight was that religious institutions in BiH are often perceived as the last bastion of trust in a society where most other institutions face a crisis of credibility. At the same time, the legacy of the communist era, when religious institutions held a very different status, still influences public trust today.
Panelists noted that young people recognize religious leaders as often more open and sincere when speaking about societal issues than politicians. Combined with the relatively low perception of corruption within religious communities, this positions these institutions as influential in shaping social values.
The panel also stressed the importance of avoiding generalizations, especially those based on larger cities that offer more content for youth. In smaller communities, religious institutions are often the only spaces for young people to gather and socialize. In such cases, they may also function as cultural, educational, and even entertainment centers—filling gaps left by the absence of state support in these areas.
A positive example highlighted was the initiative by the Archdiocesan Youth Center, which offers activities such as a Catholic indoor soccer league, study trips, and educational camps, creating opportunities for youth engagement and community building.
Challenges, opportunities, and freedom
The discussion also touched on how young people today often perceive faith through individuals like priests or imams, shaping their view of religious institutions accordingly. In this context, panelists stressed the importance of education, critical thinking, and empowering youth to participate in social processes, all the while respecting tradition, and emphasizing authenticity and freedom of expression.
It was noted that BiH can take pride in its Law on Freedom of Religion, which provides a progressive legal framework, especially in comparison to other European countries.
The panel concluded with the message that religious institutions can and should play a vital role in the moral renewal of society, particularly given the moral crisis reflected in politics, healthcare, the judiciary, and education. Participants emphasized the need for religious communities to engage more actively in education and prevention of issues such as addiction, while also opening their doors to young people who may not identify as religious.
Panelists called for more such dialogues in the future, expressing hope that young people will be given the support and space to develop critical thinking in a society that values diversity and builds its future on mutual trust and understanding.
