AYBU Architecture Team Participated in the International Youth Cultural Heritage Camp in Italy
Within the scope of the ERASMUS+ Project 2023-2-TR01-KA220-YOU-000182116 “CHERISH – Cultural Heritage Recovery after Disasters and Conflicts: Understanding, Training, and Empowerment”, of which Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University is a partner, the International Youth Cultural Heritage Camp was held in the Umbria region of Italy between 13–19 October 2025.
Led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Cemile Feyzan Şimşek, the AYBU Architecture Department team took part in the camp, which focused on the protection of cultural heritage in post-disaster contexts and the development of resilience strategies. The team included experts and students: Lecturer Dr. Ömer Faruk Pamak, Res. Asst. Necmettin Sancak, Res. Asst. Aslı Zeynep Doğan, Enes Öner, Hilal Sıla Şentürk, Nisa Ilgın Baştuğ, and Dilara Pehlivanlı.
A total of six groups from four countries, representing 42 young participants, joined the camp. Young individuals represented Türkiye through Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University and Hitit University, Italy through the Umbria Training Center, Ukraine through Sumy State University, and Spain through the Federation of Juvenile Movilidad Europea (Federación de Asociaciones Juveniles para la Movilidad Europea), alongside the PRO-EK non-governmental organization. This diverse participation fostered a rich platform for cross-cultural learning and collaboration.
The program brought together participants from different academic and professional backgrounds to learn, share, and exchange ideas on how to safeguard cultural heritage after natural disasters and conflicts. Through workshops, cultural visits, and collaborative group activities, participants enhanced their knowledge, skills, and awareness while building international connections.
The itinerary included visits and hands-on sessions at several key institutions and sites such as the Santo Chiodo Laboratory, the Regional Centre for Civil Protection, and the Coo.BE.C Restoration Laboratory. The AYBU team also presented their ongoing academic and research projects during the AYBÜ Presentation Session, followed by an on-site exploration in Norcia, one of the towns most affected by the 2016 Central Italy earthquakes.
The camp concluded with a Certification Ceremony, celebrating the participants’ achievements and shared commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage.
Through this initiative, AYBU continues to contribute to international efforts in heritage conservation, post-disaster recovery, and youth empowerment, reinforcing the vital role of architecture in building resilient and sustainable cultural futures.
