Hope is an absent category in contemporary educational and psychological discourse. In the context of the Anthropocene, however, it becomes crucial and relevant. Human activity is having a dominant impact on the environment, climate and other Earth systems. Global climate change, increasing social inequalities, global turbulence and the unpredictability of the future have a direct impact on people's mental and emotional health, which contributes to their seeking support from counsellors, therapists and educators. Cultivating hope as a driving force for individuals and communities becomes an important task for future design professionals. Hope is one of the most important resources that helps people to get through difficult moments, to see new opportunities and to motivate themselves to make positive changes in their lives. Hope is therefore not just an abstract idea, but a practical tool for building constructive goals and strategies by motivating action, creating a sense of purpose, broadening perspectives on change and building resilience.
As young people think about the future and build career and life plans, they look for hope. It is a driving force that dynamises and optimises the human sense of being - it sustains human perseverance in achieving a set goal, strengthens self-confidence, builds optimism, helps to discover the meaning of life, plan a satisfying future, protects against despair and lack of confidence.
When young people think about the future and plan their careers and lives, they look for hope. It is a driving force that dynamises and optimises the human sense of being -itsustainshumanperseveranceinachievingthegoalset,strengthensself-confidence,buildsoptimism,helpstodiscoverthemeaningoflife,planasatisfyingfuture,protectsagainstdespairandlackofconfidence.Hopeisalsoanecessarysurvivalandadaptationmechanism-ithelpsindividualstocopewithdifficultiesanduncertainty,toadaptbettertocriticallifesituations.Itleadstogreaterenjoymentoflife,moresatisfyingsocialrelationships,positivethinkinginthefaceofadversity,andultimatelymentalhealth.Hope,understoodinthisway,becomespartoftheworkofeducationandcounselling,sothatprofessionalsinvolvedinprofessionalhelpneedtodevelopnewcompetencesinordertobeeffectiveintheirwork.Currentprogrammesthatprepareyoungpeopletoentertheadultworld,includingthelabourmarket,focusonanalysinginterests,skills,values,competencesandhowtheyfitintotheexistingorderandwhattheeconomyexpects.Itshouldalsofocusonteachinghowtothinkhopefullyabouttheworldtocome,howyoungpeoplecanfulfiltheirpotential,andhowtoengageinformsofworkinglifethatminimisetheircontributiontotheecologicalfootprintandensurethecontinuityofauthenticallyhumanlifeonearth.