The Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV), in cooperation with Coşkun educational establishments, is organizing the first National Reconciliation Olympiad this year, aiming to promote a culture of cooperation and consensus for future generations and ensure that today’s youth grow up with an understanding of the importance of social peace. With the slogan “Let’s build the future by reconciling,” the competition has been approved by the Education Ministry. The organizers describe the goal of the Olympiad as follows: “Our aim is for high school-aged youths who live in Turkey’s rich ethnic tapestry -- from every different religion and sect, ethnic background and culture -- to acquire a life philosophy of peaceful togetherness through empirical means.”Students will have the opportunity to present possible solutions to conflicts encountered in daily life arising from social problems on the local, regional and national levels. The students will compete in five categories: Reconciliation in Culture and Life, Reconciliation in the Family, Reconciliation in Schools, Reconciliation in Traffic and Reconciliation in Sports.
The final day for students to submit preliminary applications online at www.uzlasi.org to participate in the Olympiad is March 12. The competition itself is to be held on May 7. There will be awards given to students who prepare the winning projects as well as for their advising teacher and the school that supported them. The first place student award will be TL 2,500, and the first place teacher award will be TL 1,250. Second place will be TL 2,000 for the student and TL 1,000 for the teacher, while third place will receive an award of TL 1,500 for the student and TL 750 for the teacher. The judging will be conducted by well-known writers and academics, and it is hoped that the competition will become an annual event.
