The workshop titled “Introduction to the EU Workshop 1: Understanding Youth Perceptions of EU-Turkey Relations” was held online at our university as part of the Jean Monnet Module Project titled “Introduction to the EU: Introduction to EU Politics, Norms, and Values.”
In the first session, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Efe, a faculty member of our university's Department of Political Science and Public Administration, served as moderator. Dr. Müzeyyen Pandır, a faculty member at Işık University, gave a presentation titled “The EU's Perspective on Gender Equality,” detailing the EU Gender Equality Strategy. Pandır pointed out the masculine structure of the EU and stated that although there are some shortcomings in its implementation, this strategy retains its importance as an ideal structure.
Next, IOM Kilis Coordinator Fatma Güler shared her field experience. Detailing the humanitarian aid sector, Güler emphasized the importance of the fundamental principles of humanitarian aid: non-discrimination, confidentiality, impartiality, and independence.
Then, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Efe shared with the participants how they started the Jean Monnet Module journey, the project team, the project details, and the feedback from the students who took the courses within the scope of the project. Referring to the relationship of the city of Kilis with migration, he stated that they also included the topic of migration in the project. He explained the politics, norms, and values module of the project in detail, and thus the first session ended with a question-and-answer section.
In the second session, Dr. Bilal Görentaş, Faculty Member of the Geography Department at our university, acted as moderator.
Research Assistant Abdussamed Özbek gave a presentation titled “European Digital Decade and Key Objectives for Youth,” providing information on the key objectives of the Digital Decade 2030 program, namely digital skills, digital infrastructure, digital businesses, and digital public services. Özbek also touched on artificial intelligence professions, the European Cloud Federation, e-health, and e-justice.
Next, Dr. Yusuf Avar, Assistant Professor, gave a presentation titled “Seeking Opportunities Amid Challenges: The Future of EU-Turkey Relations,” in which he assessed the situation between the parties using SWOT analysis and emphasized that the parties developed closer relations when they needed to.
Finally, Dr. Bilal Görentaş, Assistant Professor, addressed integration and identity issues in the context of Brexit in his presentation titled “The Role of Youth in Building an Inclusive Europe – Integration of Identities.” Görentaş stated that young people increasingly embrace Europe's pluralistic and inclusive identity. Görentaş pointed out that far-right and populist movements are damaging this inclusive identity and drew attention to the importance of the issue of migrants. The workshop topics were then evaluated comprehensively.
.jpg)