Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence

Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence

What is a Jean Monnet Center of Excellence?

Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence are proposed and hosted by a higher education institution and funded under Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Action. The proposals may involve the cooperation of several faculties/departments and include also other organisations specialised in EU studies.

Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence gather the expertise and competences of high-level experts aiming to develop synergies between the various disciplines and resources in European studies. They play a key role in reaching out to students from faculties not normally dealing with European Union issues as well as to policy makers, the civil society and the general public at large. They also give experts the opportunity to create joint transnational activities.

More information can be found at Jean Monnet Centres of Excellence | Erasmus+ (europa.eu) .

Center of Excellence on Diversity in EU and Turkey – DIVEU

Diversity is a key concern of the European Union not only due to its’ multicultural structure consisting of 27-member states and societies but also because of the strong linkages of diversity with equality and inclusion. Therefore, diversity is a concept that is handled by the EU strategies beyond just the numbers and presence of different individuals within its population.

In this regard, integration of diversity in the European Union strategies and agenda has an utmost importance to provide social cohesion and to cope with the contemporary challenges of European societies such as populism, extremist movements and anti-EU populist discourse. Therefore, together with inclusion, diversity is considered by the European Commission as a tool for tackling discrimination.  The increased recognition of diversity as a European value has been underlined as a fundamental requirement for a democratic society and preventing “othering” in any member states.  While “united in diversity” constitutes one of the mottos for the strategies of the EU by highlighting the importance of any different cultures, traditions and languages existing in Europe, the concept of diversity is enshrined in all treaties of the EU as well. In parallel with this perspective, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) was established in 2007 together with the European Monitoring Center on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC). The Charter of Fundamental Rights of The European Union (2000), chapter III titled “Equality”, promotes awareness on preventing any attempt of discrimination by calling the states to respect cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity.

As a candidate country to the EU, Turkey is also prominent with the diversity in its population. In addition to the historically cultural diversity of the society in Turkey, recent migratory flows brought around more than 5 million people to Turkey from different countries. As a result, Turkey has been transformed into one of the largest migrant hosting countries. In terms of young population, Turkey is also a remarkable country by having a large cohort of young population since around %35 of Turkish population is under the age of 30. Furthermore, around %45 of refugees in Turkish society consists of young people. As a result, diversity might be considered as an important teaching and research topic for Turkey, indeed.

Although there are several studies on migration, youth and culture, a comprehensive approach merging these three issues under the concept of “diversity” is still underrepresented in EU studies both as a teaching issue and as a research topic. Based on this background, Yasar University JM Center of Excellence aims to provide curricular – extracurricular teaching and reseacrh activities and to promote a research agenda on diversity and EU studies. With this regard, the center will offer activities for higher education students of European Union Studies and also higher education students who do not automatically come into contact with EU studies including law, medicine, social work fields, economics, psychology and language and interpretation.

Objectives

  • Enhancing the European dimension and strengthening the EU studies track of Yasar University curriculum by delivering not only structured courses but also intensive trainings, seminars, round-table meetings, workshops and conferences for researchers, students, NGO, and public body representatives related to migration and EU integration issues.
  • Providing students, a better knowledge on the evolution of the EU and the role of diversity in shaping policies and societies in Europe and Turkey.
  • Bringing students together not only with the academics but also with experts, policy makers and practitioners at national and international level. Providing extracurricular activities and learning opportunities not only for students but also civil society members, professionals, researchers, and public officers.
  • Offering graduate students an in-depth knowledge on European integration process and diversity related issues.
  • Bringing the representatives of state and non-state actors on Center’s research themes together, deepening their knowledge on European integration and creating a multiplier effect beyond academia.
  • Increasing knowledge and awareness on European studies in Turkey and the role of migration issues within the European integration process by teaching activities, extra-curricular events, and networking activities.
  • Development and implementation of new interactive teaching methodologies based on students’ active participation in research activities.

Activities

Yasar University JM Center of Excellence (EU Center) aims promote excellence in teaching and research activities in EU studies by integrating new blended methodologies combining formal and non-formal learning.

The activities of the Center focus on 3 major themes:

  1. Migration
  2. Youth
  3. Culture

Planned activities that will be organized during the 3-years period are as follows:

Teaching Activities:

  • 6 courses organized each academic year by the enrolment of at least 225 students in total.
  • An international academy organized 3 times by the participation of at least 275 students in total.
  • 15 extracurricular events organized in 3 years by the participation of at least 500 participants.
  • 2 international conference organized by the involvement of at least 200 participants.

Research Activities:

  • At least 24 working papers, which are produced by the students of the teaching activities as the final assignment.
  • At least 3 international and 6 national academic articles published in international journals.
  • At least 2 book proposal submitted for publication to a high-ranking international publishing company.

 In addition to the teaching and research activities seminars, information days and sessions that aims to raise awareness about EU-funded programmes and opportunities for students, youth and researchers within the scope of Yaşar University European Union Jean Monnet Center of Excellence (EU Research Center) activities.

  •