DESTEK PLATFORMU

Support Platform for Preservation of the Academic Heritage in the Middle East

 Universities, laboratories and libraries...
They are the promise of hope, of scientific accumulation and academic heritage in constructing the future of the world.
War not only demolishes buildings, …but also libraries compiled over thousands of years, social and educational complexes (külliye) that preceded universities, relics of the past… unfinished scientific research…
Our concern is not solely of a material nature...The worth of human life is priceless. As the international community, we are going through times which we are most in need of peace, good neighbourliness, mutual understanding, and tolerance for a more liveable world where we do not suffer prejudice, othering and discrimination.
Therefore, understanding of diverse perspectives is needed globally.
The conflicts and wars that have been ongoing for years in different countries of the Middle East have destroyed not just buildings but also academic heritage.
What has been lost is not only the heritage of the Middle East but that of all humankind. Reviving scientific life in the region by providing support to the scholars and students will form the basis of the future of humankind and the reconstruction of these destructed geographies
Today, hundreds of displaced academicians and researchers from different countries work at Turkish universities; more than 20,000 university students are continuing their higher education in Turkey. Displaced students are able to dream again for their future... Turkey is providing hope for them...Scientific studies are continuing from where they were abruptly cut off...
I am CONSCIOUS of the significance of the Middle East, the cradle of civilization, and its place in world heritage.
I am AGAINST the destruction of ancient libraries and science centers and demolishment of the books.
Let the academic heritage flourish and be revived....The World, it is now your turn, we can do it together...Because this world belongs to us all.