ABOUT THE PROJECT  

Understanding Europeaness and Promoting European Citizenship in Turkey

Overall objectives: The aim of the project is to create an academic network among University of Uşak , Dokuz Eylül University (Turkey), METU ( Turkey ) and University of Leicester (UK) to understand the historical process that created a sense of Europeaness and to promote European citizenship in Turkey . This academic network will carry out research, workshops, hold symposium and conferences, and do publications about the relationships between the EU and Turkey . This network of academics aims at:

  • Carrying out research into understanding of the historical process that led to the creation of the notion of Europeaness and the place of citizenship education.
  • Creating awareness creation or raising on EU and its impact on Turkey among local Uşak people in terms of international relationships and economic transformation of Turkey
  • Awareness raising about the EU in Turkey and about Turkey in the EU.

  Specific Objectives:

  • Carrying out research about the attitudes of Turkish university students towards EU citizenship
  • Carrying out research about the attitudes of British university students towards Turkey 's accession to the EU
  • Carrying out exchange of knowledge and best practices on planning and implementation of “European Citizenship” education
  • Ensuring the academic staff and students of University of Uşak have a better knowledge and understanding on the European Union, including the values on which it is founded, its functioning and its policies thus allowing for a better awareness of the opportunities and challenges of future enlargement of the EU when accepting Turkey as a full member
  • Accelerating universities' acquisition of analytical skills and academic know-how related to the process of adopting and implementing new techniques with respect to citizenship education
  • Creating an EU centre within University of Uşak to provide expertise to the local authorities, business associations, unions, educators and NGOs in relation to the EU issues such as obtaining structural funds, understanding EU policies etc.

Thus, this academic network will contribute towards a better understanding of the EU, European cultures and Turkey 's place in Europe . It will also contribute to change Turkish people's perception towards the EU and promote an awareness of being European among Turkish university students and local people. It will also provide expertise to the whole of Uşak in relation to EU policies, funds and other related issues.

Coordinating University: University of Usak , Turkey

Partner(s): Dokuz Eylul University , Izmir , Turkey

                The University of Leicester , England

Associate University : Middle East Technical University

Total Budged: 240. 796 €

Project Coordinator: Asst. Prof. Dr. İsmail Acun