Çukurova Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Sarıçam
01330 Adana/
Turkey
- Democracy and community development
Migration and Development Research Center at Çukurova University (MIGCU) was founded in March 2019 and it aims to foster social inclusion through education, research and collaboration. As a centre, MIGCU is legally a part of Çukurova University which was established as a public university in 1973. As of today, the university consists of 18 Faculties, 4 Schools, 12 Vocational Schools, 1 State Conservatory, 4 Institutes and 37 Research Centers. A total of 2.250 academic personnel are employed at CU for the education and training of a total of 55.433 students, consisting of over 48 thousand undergraduate and associate degree students and more than 7.000 MA/MS and PhD students. There are five academic board members and more than 20 affiliated researchers. All are employed by Çukurova University. The main sources of funding are coming from external funds through projects, such as EU Horizon Programme, Erasmus+, TÜBİTAK etc. The centre partnered with ASAM, ICMPD, Border Crossings, vhsAalen and others through various activities and projects.
The centre serves for Çukurova region and the cosmopolitan city of Adana, which is multi-ethnic and diverse, and also hosts more than 250.000 migrants from all around the world, including refugees from Syria, making up 12% of the city’s population. So, the centre plays a prominent role in generating and disseminating knowledge in the region. In addition to their scholarly scientific work, researchers of MIGCU design and conducts projects on social impact, social impact measurement,
sustainability, community engagement, curriculum development and capacity building, partnering with local authorities, civil society and community-led organizations.
The "Regional Development-Sensitive Harmonization Strategy and Action Planning Framework" Research within the scope of the SUMMIT project supported by ICMPD, of which the General Directorate of Migration Management is a partner, started on February 8, 2021 and ended on November 22, 2021. The Topological Atlas project uses digital technologies and participatory methods to create visual counter-geographies at border sites, focusing on marginalized communities often ignored by traditional geopolitical inquiry. Led by İlke Şanlıer Yüksel and funded by EU Horizon 2020, the project aims to provide a fresh perspective on contemporary borderscapes. The X-European project, funded by Erasmus+ KA2 Action, aims to explore the potential of Third Space methods for social inclusion and intercultural dialogue in the context of rising populism and exclusive nationalisms in Europe. The project involves four partner organizations developing specific Third Space activities, which will be evaluated and shared in staff training workshops with the aim of improving educational practices and promoting a counter-narrative to populism.
MIGCU's focus on fostering social inclusion through education, research, and collaboration aligns well with the goals of the Anna Lindh Foundation, which promotes intercultural dialogue and exchange in the Euro-Mediterranean region. As MIGCU is located in Adana, a cosmopolitan city with a significant migrant population, it could serve as a valuable partner for the Anna Lindh Network in Turkey by sharing their expertise and knowledge on social impact, community engagement, and capacity building. MIGCU's researchers could also collaborate with local authorities, civil society organizations, and community-led groups to develop joint projects and initiatives that promote intercultural understanding and social inclusion. By working together, MIGCU and the Anna Lindh Network could make a meaningful contribution to promoting dialogue and cooperation between cultures and communities in Turkey and the wider region.
Joining the ALF Network could offer opportunities to collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations who are committed to promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding in the Euro-Mediterranean region. The network could provide access to resources, expertise, and funding opportunities to support initiatives and projects that advance the goals of the foundation. Additionally, being a member of the ALF Network could enhance an organization's visibility and credibility in the field of intercultural dialogue and help to build a broader network of contacts and partners.