Center for the Research of Societal Problems (TOSAM) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization working to develop the Turkish civil society based on the principles of multiculturalism, tolerance, political pluralism, and democracy. Over the years TOSAM has been involved in a number of projects focusing on reconciling Turks and Kurds of Turkey and building skills necessary to develop and sustain democracy, political pluralism, and peace.

As part of a recent youth training project in Southeastern Turkey, TOSAM provides training to over 280 high school seniors and university students on democracy, non-violence, conflict resolution, and multiculturalism.

The project targets youth in seven Southeastern provinces that have been under the direct military rule for more than two decades, and youth in those regions are most marginalized and vulnerable to the influences of political extremism and indoctrination by radical movements and organizations. Training is based on TOSAM’s new teaching manual, and includes eight different modules:

(1) Being Human (meaning of life and living, and the transformation of human consciousness from “us versus them” to “all of us”

(2) A Pluralist, Deliberative Way of Life: Participatory Democracy

(3) Multiculturalism

(4) Tolerance and Forgiveness

(5) Innovative Ways of Conflict Prevention

(6) Religion as a Necessary Belief System but Dangerous when Used as a Political Ideology

(7) Creative Ways of Problem Solving

(8) Communication Across Cultures (understanding the “other”).

Two youth trainees from each province demonstrating leadership potential at the program receive further training to become trainers themselves.