"Between war and peace - German-Turkish relationships then and today" titles the youth encounter project that is planned to take place in Istanbul, Turkey. The project addresses altogether 16 young people, aged 16 till 25 years and will be guided by two team leaders. In particular, the project aims to reach participants in both countries that so far had limited or no chance to encounter the cultural diversity in Turkey or to get to know people from Germany. Excursions, workshops, work on biographies of German refugees during World War II, discussion rounds with experts from NGOs will foster knowledge about German-Turkish relations that are rarely know among Germans and Turkish. This will lead to make participants aware of traces of the past in their daily present and motivate them to reflect on their culture of origin and culture of the hosting country. Istanbul as a very lively, modern and multicultural metropolis is an extraordinary example still showing the presence and vitality of Turkish and European history. In a religious, political, social, geographical and cultural way – Istanbul provides an exciting background to bring together participants for a multiperspective exchange on various topics. In the study part participants will focus on parallel and differing historical processes in Turkey and Germany between 1911 and 1945. Later on participant will discuss current issues that closely affect the societies they live in, such as challenges and chances of multicultural societies and migration. They will be encouraged to discover their own fields of activity within Europe and in the mutual dialogue between Europe and programm countries. Photography and literature as powerful ways to express one's opinion will be part of the art work during the project. Young participants will create their own foto and text book. In fotos and texts they will describe and reflect on their individual impressions on the city - related to the project's thematical focus on cultures of remembrance in the present and democracy. The project aims to help participants to overcome stereotypes and cliches on Germany and Turkey. Project partners wish to make participants sensitive to language and culture of the hosting country as well as of Germany. The project seeks to encourage participants to plan and organise cultural exchange beyond the programmes of ASF and Katadrom, e.g. via school exchange. Participants will be informed on access to volunteer services and programmes of the European Union in order to motivate them to take a chance for further mobility. Participants will perceive a better understanding of themselves as important "player" within their communities and countries in terms of social, cultural and political committment. Project partners will encourage them to develop and strenghten personal committment and to seek for ways of participation on different levels (local, regional communities, policial affairs). Project partners would like to continue cooperation and organise a German-Turkish youth exchange project in 2015 in Berlin. Contents will not repeat, however, be in close relation to discussions and issues of this year's project. One of the targets to visit will be the former camp for Muslim prisoners of war during World War I (in Wuensdorf close to Berlin). It was also the place for the first mosque to be built in Germany. Starting from this point we wish to deal with questions of relious tolerance, cultures of remembrance in Turkey and Germany according to World War I and II as well as how to remember Shoa and related topics.