Erdem Güler

Our world is in the era of communication and technology. The communication and the technology remove borders between countries, civilizations and people and encourage the integration of the world. The success of this integration, however; goes through tolerance and inclusion.

Tolerance and inclusion are simply the state of “accepting one fact the whole and being able to live in the same environment.” Inclusion and tolerance can exist between races, genders and individuals who have different characteristics. Inclusion and tolerance are used in the street, education environments or when we are together with disabled individuals or they are used for different disadvantaged groups. Inclusion and tolerance are crucial to unify a society. Considering this reason, these concepts need to be understood better and disseminated in societies. 

The subject that needs to be paid attention to here is that inclusion and tolerance should not be perceived as only types of behaviour. These concepts arise from the integrative approach and embracing every one of the environment of residence, state laws and educational environments. To conceptualise this subject, particularly laws and policies implemented by the state can encourage inclusion. For instance, preparing the education materials in a way that the disabled students are able to use can be one of the main tools of inclusion of the disabled people in education. Having extra facilities regarding to the disabled and healthy students acting together will also encourage using inclusion and tolerance as an active tool.  

Another function of inclusion and tolerance is being the most significant solution towards discrimination and inclusion. Especially, prejudices, differences related to belief, education and culture, different points of view and thoughts all create different dynamics in societies. Tolerance and inclusion are part of basic values that encourage individuals from each part of the society to live together happily.

There are a lot of opportunities and support in Turkey and the European Union in order to disseminate the concepts of inclusion and tolerance. Particularly, there are both international and national supports for supporting civil society. In this context, the active participation of civil society institutions is expected. We should not forget that the sustain of successful state policies are possible with a powerful movement of civil society.  

Finally, it is a must to disseminate inclusion and tolerance for happy societies, happy countries and a happy world. As an individual, seeing tolerance and differences as a beauty and embracing people from all groups of people must be part of our basic responsibilities that we should feel with all our heart.  

Erdem Güler

The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of the author, and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of ALDA and the European Union.