Zhebrovski: Turkey a Leader in Tolerance in Education
This week İstanbul has been host to some of the most significant figures involved in promoting tolerance and dialogue in education.
Their meeting in İstanbul, a city comprising a mosaic of various cultures and religions, was noteworthy in this sense.
The Pedagogical Club of European Capitals gathered high-profile officials from educational institutions from 25 Asian and European countries in a conference entitled "Tolerance and Dialogue in Education" on Sept. 27-28 in İstanbul. Positive messages regarding tolerance in education were made throughout the conference. The delegates were provided with a comprehensive tour of İstanbul both before and after the conference leaving them with a lasting impression of the city.
The Dialogue Eurasia Platform (DEP) together with the İstanbul Municipal Education Administration and the İstanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency launched the conference in İstanbul on Monday under the of "Tolerance and Dialogue in Education" and concluded on Sept. 29 with policy recommendations for various institutions and governments from the participating countries. Speaking at the conference's opening ceremony, head of İstanbul Education Department Muammer Yildiz stressed the importance of education and communication.
The Ministry of Education has prepared a special set of textbooks, with an emphasis on history courses, taking out phrases offensive to neighboring countries and inciting hatred. Saying that only through dialogue and tolerance can the art of living together be achieved, Yildiz said as a Ministry of Education they have undertaken several projects with neighboring countries. İbrahim Özdemir, director of the Ministry of Education Foreign Relations department, said they have sent their textbooks to the ministries of education in neighboring countries and are expecting a reciprocal gesture. "I hope they will also cut out expressions that are harmful to dialogue among our nations and cultures," he said.
Speaking at the conference, head of the Pedagogical Club of European Capitals, Boris Zhebrovski, said Turkey is a country leading in tolerance in education. "There are three key words in accomplishing major works: education, tolerance and understanding," Zhebrovski argued.
Pointing out the global threats in today's world, DEP co-Chair Harun Tokak said: "Global issues threaten us. There are dangers to our children like drugs, gambling, terror and war. These all alarm us. It is our responsibility to hold similar conferences." Adding to his points about global threats, he claimed that poverty is also one of the biggest problems the world is facing today. "Only education can help tackle these problems," Tokak said.
Co-chair of the DEP and honorary chair of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Oriental Studies, Rostislav Rybakov delivered important messages to institute tolerance and dialogue in education thus paving the way for peace in the world. "The spiritual crisis is far more important than the deep economic recession, today," Rybakov stated, noting the tremendous danger children face with respect to problems associated with spirituality. "Only after tackling the spiritual crisis can mankind address the problems of the economic crisis," Rybakov said.
It was decided to send the outcomes of the conference and final policy recommendations released on Sept. 29 to the education ministries of participating countries, UNESCO and the UN.
The UN General Assembly previously proclaimed 2010 as the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures and invited UNESCO to supervise events related to the year. In this respect, the conference participants proposed that UNESCO establish a commission composed of socio-psychological experts and authoritative scientists to investigate the use of racism, discrimination, inequality and other phrases in textbooks with the potential of inciting hatred among nations and cultures.
Among other recommendations, the participants contended that there needs to be a lecture on tolerance on international tolerance day in all schools, and tolerance camps should be organized for children and adolescents. In addition, international schools established to contribute to peace, dialogue and tolerance should come under the sphere of UNESCO. Furthermore, educational institutions that deliver intercultural education should be built and supported, the declaration recommended to numerous relevant educational institutions.
- Created on .