Research at the YMCA University Kassel

The YMCA University Kassel with its online- and distance learning study programs "Social Work", "Ethical Management", "Christian Education" ("Pedagogics for Religion and Community") and as well the integrated attendence study "Pedagogics for Religion and Community/ Social Work" sees its main focus of research on the field of subjects which -  in the broadest sense - can be described by "identity and responsibility".

The complex of questions defined in this subject area on one hand equates the classical focus of YMCA operations, with regard to the christian youth work and youth social work. On the other hand it takes the interdisciplinary approach and concern of the YMCA University into account. Not least the internationality of YMCA has to be mentioned in this context, particularly because meanwhile there is a general awareness that this complex of questions has an international and global dimension and can not be dealt with from a narrowed regional perspective.

The contents substantiation of this research-focus is basically motivated by the fact that the processes of identity-determination in childhood, youth and early adulthood,  in view of the massive processes of change our society and world-society is exposed to today, gains fundamental significance. The determination of identity of individuals and groups turns out to be a highly complex process in sociological, psychological, cultural and religious terms, which enters the visual field interdiscplinaryly and can adequately only be accessed and explored that way. Identity-determination processes that fail lead to a refusal of dialogue, separation and violence; successful identity-determination processes enable integration, dialogue, a consciousness of values and engagement for the civil society.

The term "responsibility"in the discription of our research-projects implies that human identity always is made accessible by rationality and thus always tangents to an ethical dimension.

Exemplarily the responsibility for the weaker and for future generations have to be mentioned here as likewise the responsibility of man before god, which adequately  brings the religious dimension also into focus.