Exemplary project against discrimination

Aiming to identify the causes of racist discourse and hate speech affecting large masses in Europe, and find a solution to this problem, ‘academics from 6 countries’ developed the ‘RAISE’ project in collaboration. The exemplary project, involving Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Kentmen Çin, Vice Rector of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) from Turkey, was entitled to support by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Program. The project, in which academics from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Hungary took part, achieved great success as one of the 7 projects that entitled to be supported among 169 applications across Europe.  

Surveys, focus group studies and social media analyzes will be conducted within the scope of the project to be completed within 4 years to evaluate the perspectives of people living in European countries on racist discourses and related policies. Racist and exclusionary language used in sports competitions, schools, social media or the public will be examined in detail, and scientific analyzes will be conducted on the underlying causes. As a result of reporting the findings, it is aimed to increase awareness in societies against separatist discourses and to contribute to the development of policies to prevent racism in Europe.

WE ARE ON A MISSION AGAINST CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

IUE Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Kentmen Çin, Lecturer at Department of Political Science and International Relations, said that as a university, they act with a mission that is sensitive to social problems and rejects all forms of violence and discrimination. Expressing that they prepared the project meticulously and that they will carry out one of the most comprehensive studies in the academic field against racism, Prof. Dr. Kentmen Çin said, “Our biggest goal in realizing the project is to support the development of anti-racism policies in Europe and to take a pioneering role in this field. Racism is a crime against humanity. Unfortunately, many people in different parts of the world are exposed to discrimination every year. We remember that a world-famous football player who continues his profession in our country was exposed to unacceptable discourse in an international sports competition. Every work to be done in this field should be given great importance. Our project is clear in outline. However, the outputs of the project will become clear according to the data that will emerge after we start to do our research.”

UNIVERSITIES SHOULD GUIDE SOCIETY

Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Kentmen Çin continued as follows: “Universities should be in a structure that develops discourses for the elimination of social problems, produces projects, and guides societies in the right way. As Izmir University of Economics, I think we implement this very well. The university signed an exemplary study this year and put into effect the ‘Gender Equality Plan’ to raise awareness against violence and discrimination against women. The plan, covering the period 2022-2025, has been an effective step towards eliminating gender-based discrimination in all layers of society. Now, with the project of which I am a partner, we are happy to carry out a new study against violence and discrimination.”