30.10.2004 - AEGEE Press Release on the Euroislam Project and the EU and Europe Project events in Turkey Islam & Europe - students dig up common ground In the month of October the European Students Forum AEGEE organised in Turkey two remarkable events. First, at the beginning of the month, students of all faiths and none gathered in Ankara for a conference to build understanding between the European and Muslim worlds. Then, on the 21-24th of October, in Izmir, they gathered in a discussion over Turkey and its EU accession chances, opportunities and threats. The "Islam and Europe: Eye Contact" conference took place in the Middle East Technical University. Speakers including Prof. Dr. John Esposito, Dr. Henner Fürtig, Assist. Dr. Peter Mandaville, Ibrahim Al-Marashi and Ajmal Masroor provoked the students to heated debate, and led them to honest and open eye contact. The 60 participants were hosted by AEGEE-Ankara (the European Students' Forum in Ankara), with the support of Council of Europe, the European Commission, the Secretariat General for EU Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Over six intensive days, the students outlined their common values, and set out a range of projects for building dialogue and understanding between their communities.Students of all faiths and none gathered in Ankara last week for a conference to build understanding between the European and Muslim worlds. Over six intensive days, the students outlined their common values, and set out a range of projects for building dialogue and understanding between their communities. In the process, whilst identifying NGO partners for these projects, the participants built new friendships across the cultural divide and overcame some of their own prejudices. Proposals included: further dialogue on women and the Hijab, on the compatibility of Muslim and European identity, and on Turkey's accession to the EU; media projects to reach a wider audience and overcome popular prejudices; work with the socially excluded in both communities; the developement of an NGO network to cooperate on these and other projects. Professor John Esposito warned the students "to compare real with real, ideal with ideal," and not to compare the best of their own culture with the worst of the other. At the end of the conference, Mahmoud Youness of Lebanon remarked, "I personally would live with this group forever. If we can create this atmosphere among ourselves, the world can do the same." The highlight of the "EU and Turkey" Conference in Izmir was the students-performed simulation of the Council of Europe November meeting, having to decide on the Turkish candidature to the European Union. Simulations are one of AEGEE's main learning-by-doing approach tools, allowing students to involve in valuable debates on the current issues of the main importance to the societies we live in. AEGEE is one of Europe's largest interdisciplinary and voluntary student associations, operating without being linked to any political party, promoting a unified Europe, cross-border co-operation, communication and integration in academic environment, and at the same time striving to create an open and tolerant society by involving students and young graduates in valuable projects and discussions over the topics of importance for the communities they live in. It is represented in 260 university cities, in 42 countries all around Europe and has about 17000 members. More information: Ewa Solarczyk Vice-President / Director for Public Relations European Students' Forum - AEGEE Rue Nestor de Tiere 15 1030 Bruxelles Phone: +32 2 245 23 00 Fax: +32 2 245 62 60 Web: www.aegee.org Email: [log in to unmask]