The launch program of the European Union project “Compass: A Common Direction of Humanity,” carried out in collaboration with Al-Quds University and supported by the EU’s Erasmus+ program, was held on Thursday, May 8, at the Media and Event Center, Event Hall.
The event was attended by many distinguished guests, including Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Assoc. Prof. Safa Koçoğlu, Ambassador of Palestine to Ankara Dr. Faed Mustafa, TÜRGEV General President Hatice Akıncı Yılmaz, President of Al-Quds University Prof. Imad Abu Kishek, and our Vice Presidents Prof. Mustafa Kemal Yılmaz and Prof. Özcan Akgün.
In his speech, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Assoc. Prof. Safa Koçoğlu emphasized that the project reminds us of the most fundamental values. He stated that the situation in Palestine is not only a challenge for one people but also an examination of international law and the universal conscience. He expressed that it is the responsibility of young people to understand the Palestinian cause and relate its struggle for rights to international norms.
Ambassador of Palestine, Dr. Faed Mustafa, said that the project represents an important step in strengthening interactions between all members of humanity. He also highlighted Türkiye’s consistent support for the Palestinian people and expressed gratitude to President Erdoğan.
TÜRGEV Board President Hatice Akıncı Yılmaz pointed out that the project aims to bring Turkish and Palestinian students together in the context of cultural diplomacy and human rights awareness. She emphasized that the project would address topics such as the preservation of cultural heritage, religious freedoms, and fundamental principles of international law from the perspective of young people. Yılmaz added that the protection of Jerusalem's legal status is both a political necessity and an obligation for the preservation of cultural heritage and human rights.
Our Vice President, Prof. Mustafa Kemal Yılmaz, mentioned that the project would promote interaction among students on issues such as human rights, cultural diplomacy, and international law. He also announced that students from Al-Quds University would visit Istanbul in August, and students from our university would visit Jerusalem in September. Yılmaz emphasized that the project would contribute significantly to the development of cultural diplomacy and the strengthening of historical common awareness.
As part of the program, our Faculty’s Research Assistant Kaan Şentürk delivered a presentation on Media and Cultural Diplomacy. At the closing of the launch, undergraduate student Ömer Faruk Yıldırım gave a presentation introducing the overall scope of the project. In addition to Research Assistant Kaan Şentürk and undergraduate student Ömer Faruk Yıldırım, who both serve as project coordinators, undergraduate students Mahmut Sami Şenyiğit and Bahadır Bahacan Kibar are also part of the project team. The project is supervised by Assist. Prof. Meryem Solmaz, a faculty member at the School of Law.
As part of this meaningful project, students from Al-Quds University will be hosted in Istanbul, while our university’s students will be hosted in Jerusalem. Young participants will contribute to cultural diplomacy by sharing knowledge and experiences on topics such as the preservation of cultural heritage, urban awareness, international law, and human rights.
