Thirty women from about twenty non-governmental organizations, political parties and unions in Turkey, Greece, Northern Cyprus and Southern Cyprus gathered at the Bosphorus University (BÜ) for education in peace culture and using nonviolent solutions in disagreements.

The difference in this kind of education is that it is an education for educators. According to Nur Bekata Mardin of BÜ Peace Education Practice and Research Center, whom Bianet interviewed, said that this kind of education would enable women to bring the peace culture to their respective organizations.

Mardin: For collaboration, the peaceful solution culture is essential

She explained the significance of this kind of education in following terms: “We realized that in order for the civil society to become a power on its own, the organizations needed to collaborate, but this is getting more difficult by the day. Civil society needs to develop towards the stage where collaboration between organizations will be possible and it will move from internal competition to internal collaboration. Therefore, the peaceful solution culture is essential. We need to remember that we can win together even in competitions. One’s gain does not have to be one’s loss.

This education program between the dates of June 25 and 30 is organized by BUPERC and Women’s Initiative For Peace Between Turkey and Greece (WINPEACE). Contemporary and Independent Mutual Aid Association (ÇABA), Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Turkish branch and the administration of Bosphorus University are supporting the activity. (TK/EZÖ/TB)