PEACE AND UNIVERSITY Prof Dr Selahattin SALMAN Rector of Ahi Evran University

Complex international factors shape the nature of violent conflict today. Strong forces such as political and economic transformation, nationalism, ethnic identification, terrorism, and religious intolerance are affecting relations between nations as well as among ethnic and religious groups. This often has led to war and violence. At the same time, there are efforts by an increasing number of actors to engage in resolving these acute problems.

The intricacies of global conflict present challenges to universities to stay current with a rapidly changing world, develop a deeper understanding of the nature and consequences of the transformations, and find effective ways of making these issues relevant and interesting to students and in the communities in which they live.

In addition to this, the universities are where the argumentations and research about global or national peace are being carried out in every country around the world. We, scientists, on one hand, should find new ways to simplify the human being life, on the other hand, direct society. Therefore, peace friendly approaches should firstly be produced in universities to give suggestions for policy makers or related parties.

As every one would know, science is a universal concept. The scientific information is increasing with a tremendous speed. At this point, international research groups receive our attention. Because science has not any ethnic identity, many researchers from different cultures study cooperatively. We witness such scientists from two countries where there are some conflicts between themselves. As can be seen, the scientific studies may establish strong bridges among countries that live political problems

In some universities, there are research units about Global peace. In addition, peace education is being incorporated into curricula of some universities. Especially in teaching programs, peace-friendly actions should be vaccinated to the teacher candidates in order to reach peace-friendly citizens in next generations.

On the other hand, the name of our university comes from Ahi Evran who was the symbol of peace and constituted peace among traders in 13th century. The word ‘Ahi’ means brotherhood, and ‘Evran’ universe.

Our university train peace-friendly generations who are well-qualified in terms of scientific information by using the philosophies of Kemal Ataturk, who is the founder of Republic of Turkey and has statements like ‘Peace at home, peace in the world’ and of Ahi Evran, who was the founder of the idea of combining universe and peace.

We aim to create a university in the gardens of which colourful roses blossom, birds sing, friendship and peace songs are sung and science is embellished with love!

Thank you for listening to me.