Six countries united for ‘active citizenship’

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) has become a partner in a European Union project with a budget of 400 thousand euros aimed at increasing awareness of ‘active citizenship’ among young people. The project, called ‘Active Citizenship Compass,’ is being carried out by a special consortium involving institutions from six different countries and is set to be completed in August 2026.

The project will focus on what needs to be done to make young people more sensitive to social issues and encourage them to propose solutions. A roadmap will be developed, and by the end of the project, centered on young people aged 12-18, educational materials will be created for both educators and students. Handbooks and videos will be prepared, and activity suggestions that appeal to young people will be shared. All project outputs will be accessible internationally. 

Prof. Dr. Nesrin Oruç Ertürk, Director of Izmir University of Economics Continuing Education Center (EKOSEM), and Prof. Dr. Aynur Yürekli, a faculty member at the School of Foreign Languages, will actively contribute to the research and development process of the project. Various institutions from Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, the Netherlands, and Spain will also take part in the project.

“RAISING AWARENESS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IS CRUCIAL”

Highlighting the increasing importance of the concept of ‘active citizenship’ in Europe, Prof. Dr. Ertürk said, “Active citizenship encompasses many aspects, such as addressing social issues and contributing to humanity and the country as a whole. Identifying local or national problems, generating ideas, and taking action are among the key characteristics of active citizenship. It is crucial to increase awareness and initiative among young people, especially from the early years of formal education. Today’s young people will become the adults and parents of tomorrow. They should not isolate themselves from society but rather express their opinions and engage in participatory actions. If we want individuals in society to be ‘active’ citizens in the future, we must instill this awareness in young people. Our project is designed to achieve exactly this goal. This EU-supported project is highly valuable as it brings together institutions from 6 different countries to develop a roadmap.”

“WE WILL CREATE A COMPASS”

Prof. Dr. Aynur Yürekli emphasized the importance of collaboration with project partners through both in-person and online platforms, stressing the concept of ‘collective wisdom.’ Sharing details about the planned activities, Prof. Dr. Yürekli said, “We need to raise awareness among students and teachers about active citizenship. To do this, we need a compass. How learning activities should be designed for young people aged 12-18? What materials should be prepared? How could this topic be made more engaging and attention-grabbing? What strategies should be determined? These are critical questions that we must find the best answers to. After thoroughly considering these aspects and making decisions, we will take action. We will put young people at the center of our efforts and determine step by step what needs to be done to ensure they embrace ‘active citizenship’ throughout their lives. I believe we will produce valuable outcomes that will guide future initiatives on active citizenship."