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Yaşadığın Şehri Tanıyor Musun?

2022-1-TR01-KA152-YOU-0000716182022Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: TR|FR · Grant: €41,072.98
Bridging intercultural, intergenerational and social divideCultural heritageQuality and innovation of youth work

Objectives

The "Do You Know the City You Live In?" project is a youth mobility program designed to enable young people to explore their cities through various disciplines such as history, economics, sociology, and political science, in a comparative context. This project aimed to equip participants with skills and awareness by focusing on topics such as the transformation of the components that make up the city from past to present, the impact of rural-to-urban migration and rapid urbanization, current urban dynamics, and potential steps for creating "sustainable cities" in the future. The comparative exploration of two culturally rich cities, Istanbul and Paris, which have both hosted great civilizations, was planned to help participants develop a holistic understanding of these cities’ historical and social fabric through a multidisciplinary approach. The project’s primary goal was to enhance participants' urban awareness by helping them discover the historical and cultural values of the cities they live in. Through museum visits and historical site tours in Paris and Istanbul, participants had the chance to closely observe these cities’ histories, cultural heritage, and architecture. This experience fostered an appreciation for cultural values among the young participants, raising their awareness of their cities’ heritage. Secondly, the project aimed to encourage participants to observe social diversity and develop empathy for different societal layers. Fieldwork conducted in areas like the 18th Arrondissement and Les Ulis in Paris, as well as in Küçükpazar and Balat in Istanbul, allowed participants to interact with disadvantaged communities. These experiences contributed to the participants’ awareness of societal diversity and enhanced their empathy skills. Another goal of the project was to provide participants with knowledge about eco-friendly practices and sustainability. Events organized to increase environmental awareness in Paris and Istanbul informed participants about topics such as recycling, energy conservation, and sustainable transportation. For instance, students visited Ibn Haldun University, recognized as a “Green Campus,” where they had the opportunity to learn about sustainable campus initiatives. They also observed significant environmental sites such as the Luxembourg Gardens, the Gardens of Versailles in Paris, and Gülhane Park and the Bosphorus in Istanbul, helping them adopt a sustainable lifestyle and increase their environmental sensitivity. The project also aimed to promote intercultural dialogue by exposing young participants to different religious and cultural structures. Visits to prominent religious sites in Paris and Istanbul allowed participants to learn about various faiths, including Christianity and Islam. For instance, they gained insights from priests in Parisian churches and met with Associate Professor Ahmet Murat Özel, a renowned Sufi scholar. They also visited the Cerrahi Tekke in Istanbul and its sheikh, Ahmet Özhan, a state artist. These visits helped participants become more aware of cultural diversity and understand the importance of religious diversity within society. On the other hand, one of the project’s long-term goals was to increase young people’s knowledge of diplomacy, governance, and international cooperation. Visits to international organizations in Paris, such as IFRI, UNESCO, and the Turkish Embassy, gave participants the opportunity to learn about diplomatic processes firsthand. This aimed to raise awareness of international career opportunities and spark interest in diplomacy among the participants. Finally, the project intended to disseminate the knowledge and experiences gained throughout the program to a wider audience. Participants were encouraged to share their project experiences with the public through social media and university presentations. This allowed the awareness and urban consciousness developed through the project to extend beyond the participants to reach broader audiences. In conclusion, the "Do You Know the City You Live In?" project was carried out to enable participants to develop a deep, comparative understanding of their cities, foster social cohesion, increase environmental awareness, and contribute to intercultural dialogue. With the support of the Erasmus+ and UNESCO programs, these goals were widely communicated, ensuring a lasting impact on society at large.

Project partners (3)