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Kültür Mozaiği

2025-1-TR01-KA152-YOU-0003034832025Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: TR|CZ|EE|LT|BG|IT · Grant: €39,546
Cultural heritageKey competences developmentEuropean identity and values

Objectives

Culture represents the values, beliefs, norms, customs, traditions, artworks, language, and lifestyles of a society or group, shaping individuals' identities and influencing how they perceive the world, interact with others, and navigate daily life. This dynamic concept encompasses a wide range of elements, from aesthetic values to modes of communication, and can evolve over time. Culture forms both individual and collective identities, guides social interactions, and strengthens societal structures. Today's youth often have a superficial and fragmented understanding of culture. While globalization and digital media allow young people to quickly and broadly engage with different cultures, these interactions are frequently limited to popular and simplistic themes rather than deep, nuanced knowledge. Traditional cultural values and practices are often overlooked amidst the fast pace of the digital world. This gap hinders young people's ability to gain a thorough understanding of their cultural heritage and local traditions, making it challenging to establish a solid cultural identity. This shortfall creates a void in preserving cultural roots at both individual and societal levels. In times of conflict and division within societies, culture frequently plays a crucial role in addressing these issues and bridging societal gaps (Moustakas, 2023). It serves as a fundamental building block that shapes the forms of social interactions and communal living. Social bonds, solidarity, and the concept of common good are formed and reinforced through cultural norms and values (Dragolov et al., 2016). These elements strengthen relationships between individuals and social institutions, thereby promoting social cohesion and solidarity (Chan et al., 2006). Culture not only shapes individual identities but also influences societal structures and institutions. In this context, cultural norms and values are critical for ensuring overall societal well-being and social harmony (Anderson, 2006; Augoustinos & Callaghan, 2019). In Europe, culture plays a central role in social cohesion, economic progress, and identity development. Cultural activities and heritage enhance individuals' sense of belonging to society and foster social solidarity. According to Dragolov et al. (2016), cultural elements such as social relationships, sense of belonging, and the concept of common good help communities remain cohesive. Furthermore, culture contributes to Europe's economic growth; the European Commission reports that the cultural and creative sectors account for 4.2% of the EU economy, providing millions of jobs and promoting innovation (European Commission, 2018). Cultural heritage also plays a significant role in shaping the identities of individuals and communities; as noted by UNESCO, it helps communities connect with their past and pass these connections on to future generations (UNESCO, 2021). Therefore, preserving and promoting cultural heritage is crucial for maintaining Europe's cultural diversity and richness. Our local studies reveal that Kars is a city abundant in cultural heritage and has a historical reputation for its numerous cultural events and traditions. However, local surveys have shown a decline in sensitivity towards multiculturalism compared to those who do not show such sensitivity, highlighting the need for action. In this context, our primary goal is to increase awareness of multiculturalism among young people and foster a deeper understanding in this field. Objetives of the projects; • Educate young individuals on the basic aspects of culture and highlight the importance of cultural diversity. • Provide participants with opportunities to experience and learn about the cultures of collaborating countries. • Inform the local population about the importance of culture and the value of cultural diversity.

Project partners (6)