PEACE AND UNIVERSITY

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PEACE AND UNIVERSITY

• Prof Dr Selahattin SALMAN
• Rector of Ahi Evran University

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• Complex international factors shape the nature of
  violent conflict today. Strong forces such as
  political and economic transformation,
  nationalism, ethnic identification, terrorism,
  and religious intolerance are affecting relations
  between nations as well as among ethnic and
  religious groups. This often has led to war and
  violence. At the same time, there are efforts by
  an increasing number of actors to engage in
  resolving these acute problems.

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• The intricacies of global conflict present
  challenges to universities to stay current with a
  rapidly changing world, develop a deeper
  understanding of the nature and consequences of
  the transformations, and find effective ways of
  making these issues relevant and interesting to
  students and in the communities in which they
  live.

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• In addition to this, the universities are where
  the argumentations and research about global or
  national peace are being carried out in every
  country around the world. We, scientists, on one
  hand, should find new ways to simplify the human
  being life, on the other hand, direct society.
  Therefore, peace friendly approaches should
  firstly be produced in universities to give
  suggestions for policy makers or related parties.

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• As every one would know, science is a universal
  concept. The scientific information is increasing
  with a tremendous speed. At this point,
  international research groups receive our
  attention. Because science has not any ethnic
  identity, many researchers from different
  cultures study cooperatively. We witness such
  scientists from two countries where there are
  some conflicts between themselves. As can be
  seen, the scientific studies may establish strong
  bridges among countries that live political
  problems

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• In some universities, there are research units
  about Global peace. In addition, peace education
  is being incorporated into curricula of some
  universities. Especially in teaching programs,
  peace-friendly actions should be vaccinated to
  the teacher candidates in order to reach
  peace-friendly citizens in next generations.

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• On the other hand, the name of our university
  comes from Ahi Evran who was the symbol of peace
  and constituted peace among traders in 13th
  century. The word Ahi means brotherhood, and
  Evran universe.

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• Our university train peace-friendly generations
  who are well-qualified in terms of scientific
  information by using the philosophies of Kemal
  Ataturk, who is the founder of Republic of Turkey
  and has statements like Peace at home, peace in
  the world and of Ahi Evran, who was the founder
  of the idea of combining universe and peace.

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• We aim to create a university in the gardens of
  which colourful roses blossom, birds sing,
  friendship and peace songs are sung and science
  is embellished with love!

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• Thank you for listening to me.