Abstract:

The article addresses the growing importance of risk education in the context of increasing complexity, unpredictability, and interconnectivity of contemporary threats. Moving beyond the traditional reactive model of safety education, the paper highlights the need to develop multidimensional competencies that enable individuals and communities to recognize, interpret, and respond to risk in a dynamic and uncertain environment. Drawing on theories by Beck, Slovic, Douglas, Arnoldi, Kolb, and others, the article explores the nature of risk as a social construct, the typology of modern threats, and the challenges faced by educational systems. It argues for the integration of risk education into school curricula and lifelong learning strategies, emphasizing experiential, interdisciplinary, and participatory approaches. The text also outlines key barriers—such as the lack of teacher training, fragmented curricula, disinformation, and low civic engagement—and proposes systemic and pedagogical responses. Ultimately, the article presents risk education as a foundation for building a culture of safety, critical thinking, and social resilience in the 21st century.