The Institute for Social Change is embedded in the Department of Socio-economics, which has a established focus on issues of sustainability in its teaching programmes.
Indeed, the Department hosts a number of Chairs and Institutes specialising on particular aspects of sustainability.
What is being considered as sustainable, where societal perceptions of unsustainability emerge
Sustainability is an idea and project that is based on determined and socially negotiated values which keep societal development proceeds.
Gulen Institute is a non-profit research organization dedicated to the promotion of peace and civic welfare. The Gülen Institute maintains an international focus that is unique in Houston, and our primary goal is to advance original academic work in the areas of Conflict Resolution, Poverty, and Education that articulates the challenges faced by global communities and theorizes possible solutions. We acknowledge the fundamental role that governments play in advancing social harmony, but we believe that lasting solutions to the problems of today have to involve the civic sector.
Gulen Institute offers research grants and scholarships, organizes lecture series at the University of Houston, and facilitates workshops and panel discussions that attract academics from around the world. Our lecture series and panel discussions provide a platform for diverse analyses of the contemporary world. We also offer cultural exchange trips to graduate students at the University of Houston in the belief that by bringing people of diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds together, we can advance mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation.
The Gulen Institute is a joint initiative of the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston and the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue. This collaboration has allowed both organizations to deepen their commitments to peace and social justice. The Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW), established by Texas State Legislature in 1967, is a nationally recognized graduate social work program. The Institute of Interfaith Dialogue (IID) grew out of the need to address the question, “How can citizens of the world live in peace and harmony?”.
The Gulen Institute publishes books in the areas of poverty, education, conflict resolution, and the Hizmet Movement. Some of the publications are in house publications, while others are co-published
The Gulen Institute also publishes analyses in the areas of poverty, education, conflict resolution, and the Hizmet Movement. These analyses are written by leading researchers in their areas. While some of these analyses are unpublished original works, others are detailed summaries of previous published works by leading academics.
Since 2010, the Gülen Institute has offered funds each year to a broad range of research projects dealing with contemporary issues in the fields of Education, Poverty Research, and Conflict Resolution, including but not limited to the role non-governmental institutions play in democratization, the role of education in peace-building, the examination of economic, political, ethnic, and religious dimensions of social conflict, the establishment of social justice in diverse communities, and the fostering of productive intercultural dialogue. Results of these researches are published by the Gulen Institute.
Gulen Institute Youth Platform is an international essay contest annually organized by the Gulen Institute at the University of Houston and is open for high school students in grades 9th through 12th enrolled in public or private schools all over the world. The contest challenges young minds to identify the obstacles to stable peace and social harmony and to offer possible solutions from their own cultural perspectives. The Youth Platform also offers a unique opportunity for cross-cultural understanding, as contest winners are invited to share their essays and engage in respectful dialogue with their peers from around the world.
As the Gülen Institute Youth Platform Committee, we are pleased to announce the winners of the Essay Contest 2015.
We appreciate all the hard work you have done to write your essays from all around the world. Over 1000 essays from 65 countries and 35 states were submitted for the contest. There are 30 winners from 12 different countries. The winners will be contacted about the details regarding their flight, hotel and other arrangements.
1st place 2,000 USD + 3-day excursion
2nd place 1,500 USD + 3-day excursion
3rd place 1,000 USD + 3-day excursion
4th – 15th place: 300 USD+ 3-day excursion
16th – 30th place: 100 USD
All winners who ranked from 1st place to 15th place will be awarded a sponsored excursion to Washington, D.C.
In addition to participating in the award ceremony, students will have the opportunity to meet honorable U.S. Congress members, participate in discussions, visit local university and think-tank organizations, and enjoy tourist attractions in Washington, D.C.
Gulen Institute Youth Platform is an international essay contest annually organized by the Gulen Institute at the University of Houston and is open for high school students in grades 9th through 12th enrolled in public or private schools all over the world. The contest challenges young minds to identify the obstacles to stable peace and social harmony and to offer possible solutions from their own cultural perspectives. The Youth Platform also offers a unique opportunity for cross-cultural understanding, as contest winners are invited to share their essays and engage in respectful dialogue with their peers from around the world.
As the Gülen Institute Youth Platform Committee, we are pleased to announce the winners of the Essay Contest 2015.
We appreciate all the hard work you have done to write your essays from all around the world. Over 1000 essays from 65 countries and 35 states were submitted for the contest. There are 30 winners from 12 different countries. The winners will be contacted about the details regarding their flight, hotel and other arrangements.
1st place 2,000 USD + 3-day excursion
2nd place 1,500 USD + 3-day excursion
3rd place 1,000 USD + 3-day excursion
4th – 15th place: 300 USD+ 3-day excursion
16th – 30th place: 100 USD
All winners who ranked from 1st place to 15th place will be awarded a sponsored excursion to Washington, D.C.
In addition to participating in the award ceremony, students will have the opportunity to meet honorable U.S. Congress members, participate in discussions, visit local university and think-tank organizations, and enjoy tourist attractions in Washington, D.C.