The Centre for World Citizens

01/12/2024

✨ Taiwan Sets a World Record Again! Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens Wins Dezeen Awards as Building of the Year! 🎉

From 4,130 entries across 82 countries, the Taiwan Centre emerged victorious, first claiming the top prize in the Civic Building category, beating renowned firms like Norway’s Snøhetta (Beijing Sub-Center Library) and Pritzker Prize laureate Renzo Piano (CERN Science Gateway). It then triumphed as the overall Building of the Year winner among 15 category champions, becoming the focal point of global architectural acclaim!

"Using simple, inexpensive materials, the project creates a monumental yet accessible design that has had a transformative effect on the city and the people who live there," said the jury.

"Its bold, repetitive shape serves as a landmark and delivers a powerful architectural statement, seamlessly integrating with the city's geometry making it an outstanding contribution to the community."

"This project utilises minimal materials for maximum impact, embodying the essence of a community centre," continued the judges.

"A masterful, creative solution that deserves to be celebrated, delivering maximum impact with minimal resources."

These evaluations fully demonstrate the extraordinary significance of the Taiwan Centre as a paradigm of architecture, while also showing the world how architecture can truly transform people's lives!

From its challenging beginnings in 2016 to today's international recognition, the Taiwan Centre is not only a beacon of humanitarian architecture but also a testament to Taiwanese ingenuity and resilience. We look forward to the Taiwan Centre continuing to help those in need, spreading love and hope across borders! ❤️🌍



🎉2024 Dezeen Awards Architecture Project of the Year:
https://www.dezeen.com/2024/11/26/dezeen-awards-2024-architecture-winner/

🔗Dezeen Awards Coverage on Taiwan Centre: https://www.dezeen.com/2024/11/06/military-walls-humanitarian-walls-taiwan-reyhanli-centre-for-world-citizens/

🙋‍♀️Online Donation:
https://pse.is/Donation

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🌍 Website:
https://taiwanreyhanlicentre.com/en/home-english/

06/11/2024

The Centre for World Citizens Shortlisted as Top 5 Finalist for Dezeen Awards, Ceremony on November 26.

Studio Cho, Chen-Yu Chiu and his students from Bilkent University have completed the Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens in Hatay, Turkey.

06/11/2024

Dr. Chiu's speech at the World Urban Forum 🌍
🕖 Eastern European Time (EET): Tomorrow, 1 PM

Live stream link : https://zoom.us/zh-tw/
Meeting ID : 85691197042

26/10/2024

The Journey of Recovery: From Wounds to Hopes 🌟💖

Fawzia, from Syria, was seriously injured when her hometown was bombed during the war.

After 2-month treatment at the hospital, she began to recover and hoped to return to a normal life. However, she couldn’t move her hand. After consulting with a doctor again, she realized that her nerves were injured, preventing her hand from functioning properly.

To avoid further complications of shoulders, elbows, or finger joint calcification, as well as weakness in her forearm muscles and limited hand mobility, Fawzia came to the Taiwan Centre for physical therapy.

After more than three months of treatment, her condition improved significantly. Her hand feels lighter. Not only can she move hands, she can even style her hair and put on her hijab beautifully. Fawzia is incredibly happy and grateful for the support of the physical therapists at the Taiwan Center, as she can now engage in her daily activities as before!

The Taiwan Centre has been providing free physical therapy and rehabilitation for many people injured at war and in the accident. Their gradual recovery highly motivates our team at the Taiwan Centre.

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23/10/2024

Home Keys Handed to Earthquake Survivors - A New Chapter in Turkey 🎵

Kahramanmaraş ( ) is one of the most affected Turkish cities in the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February of 2023. With the epicenter in southern Turkey, the 7.8 magnitude quake caused widespread destruction across 11 provinces, over 50,000 people died, and over 8 million people became homeless. Kahramanmaraş, situated close to the epicenter, suffered particularly badly; more than 25,000 buildings collapsed and hundreds of thousands of families were displaced.

In response to this massive disaster, the Turkish government, in collaboration with local and international organizations, initiated a housing reconstruction program to provide permanent homes for the victims. Kahramanmaraş reached a significant milestone in the first phase of its reconstruction plan—completing 8,670 apartment buildings, with another 29,000 under construction. The city held a key distribution ceremony, making over 34,000 earthquake survivors move into their new homes.

The newly allocated apartments, featuring two or three bedrooms, are designed to meet the various needs of families. These apartments are equipped with essential facilities such as heating, running water, and electricity, and adhere to modern safety standards with earthquake-resistant construction. The local government also ensured these residences are located near schools, medical facilities, and public transportation, enabling them to rebuild new lives in a stable environment.

During the key distribution ceremony, officials emphasized that these 8,670 apartment buildings provide not just shelters but also security for the survivors. Currently, over 60,000 people remain displaced in Kahramanmaraş, and the government is committed to constructing an additional 41,000 apartment buildings, over coming months, in the affected areas.

This housing initiative marks a crucial step in the reconstruction of Kahramanmaraş, highlighting Turkey's commitment to providing long-term solutions for its citizens. However, these apartments are for Turkish citizens only while Syrian refugees remain homeless. We hope that all survivors, regardless of nationality, can soon rebuild their homes and return to normal lives. 🙏

Photo & News source:
http://www.kahramanmaras.gov.tr/kahramanmarasta-8-bin-303-deprem-konutunun-teslimi-icin-kura-ve-anahtar-teslim-toreni-gerceklestirildi

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19/10/2024

【The Love for Volleyball! Girls’ Volleyball Game】

Taiwan Centre collaborated with the local nonprofit organization to host a special volleyball game for girls. Established in Turkey in 2013, Shafak is a social welfare organization founded by Syrians to serve Syrians, particularly to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable groups, in response to the influx of refugees following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011.

This event aimed not only to encourage girls’ interest in sports but also to foster better relationships and more interactions between Turkish and Syrian communities. In this game, both teams consisted of Turkish and Syrian players. At Taiwan Centre, daily volleyball classes are offered for girls, helping them become skilled and professional players. Throughout the game, every girl worked hard alongside her teammates to pursue victory. However, winners and losers, the participants understood that the most important value was enhancing cooperation with people from different communities, in pursuit of love and inspiration.

After the game, players from both teams shook hands with joy. Then the staff distributed juice and cookies to the players and audience. Everyone including children enjoyed the exciting game with snacks, chatting and laughing! We appreciate all the staff and coaches, especially people from Shafak, who worked hard for this event. We look forward to partnering with more organizations in the future to promote friendship between the Turkish and Syrian people, filling Reyhanlı with more love and harmony!

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12/10/2024

“I can’t just walk away after seeing so many people suffering…”

The 3rd Kayseri Architecture Festival ( ), organized by the Kayseri branch of the Turkish Chamber of Architects, kicked off on 3rd October at Abdullah Gul University (AGU) in Kayseri, a major city in Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. The theme was Retell the Story, curated by Sevince Bayrak, who co-curated the Turkish pavilion at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale. She hoped that all participants would reflect, learn about unheard details, discover unknown roles, and ponder the question, “What if it were this way instead of that?” Through this exploration, it was expected that all participants can bring new vibes into architecture and their cities.

The event featured several prominent local speakers, including Ahmet Sezgin, Cem Sorguç, and Elif Çelik, and international speakers including Kim Seunghoy, the former Chief City Architect of Seoul, Christele Harrouk, the editor of the architecture media outlet , and Dr. Chen-yu Chiu (Cho), Chief Executive Officer of the Taiwan Reyhanli Centre for World Citizens.

It was Cho’s first time to be invited to speak at the Turkish Chamber of Architects, highlighting the growing importance of humanitarian architecture. Moved by his talk about the tortuous journey of establishing the Taiwan Centre, many in the audience couldn’t help, in tears, but ask, “Why put so much effort into this? It’s not just about building houses; you’re also fundraising and managing operations. This goes far beyond what a typical architect does…” Cho’s answer was simple: “I can’t just walk away after seeing so many people suffering. Life is short. Isn’t it better to make a decision and start doing something early when the calling comes?” As the curator mentioned, “This is no longer just a project; it’s a commitment for life.”

In despite of the heavy commitment, Cho knows he can keep going with the continuous support from friends who care about Syrian refugees just like him. This support has transformed the Taiwan Centre into a vibrant and thriving multicultural community, rather than just a public building. Cho hopes that his speech will inspire young Turkish architects to engage more in humanitarian architecture, especially in this tumultuous time when wars and refugee crises are escalating in the Middle East.

As we confront the refugee issue, your support is invaluable to the Taiwan Centre and all the people it serves.
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10/10/2024

【UN’s IOM Visit: Celebrating the Success of Our Eco-Friendly Soap Workshop】🌿

Last week, we were thrilled to host guests from the (International Organization for Migration). As a UN agency focused on improving the welfare of migrants, IOM has been an important partner for our center in Taiwan. Three years ago, they generously donated funds to help us establish two self-learning centers for children, providing a bright and comfortable environment for the kids in our community to read and learn 📚.

Two years ago, a nearby community transformer suddenly caught fire 🔥 for unknown reasons, leaving our center and the entire neighborhood without electricity. Upon hearing this, IOM donated a brand-new generator, ensuring a stable power supply for our center. Little did we know, this generator would make our center the only source of electricity within a hundred miles after a major earthquake, providing crucial support for countless disaster victims.

Last summer, thanks to the Dream Builders volunteer team, the Syrian mothers at our center learned to make eco-friendly soap from Teacher Jiang Fengying of Taiwan’s . Using recycled cooking oil, they created environmentally safe soap, protecting both the environment and their families from consuming harmful waste oil, while also saving on cleaning supplies. Teacher Jiang is a pioneering figure in community building in Taiwan, and through the soap-making process 🧼, these Syrian mothers began their own journey in community development.

IOM fully supports this initiative and decided to fund our “Eco-Friendly Soap Workshop.” During their recent visit, we were delighted to showcase the fruits of our workshop over the past year.

While visiting, IOM and our Executive Director, Ms. Qiu, discussed future plans for the soap workshop. We hope to transform the current workshop into a space that not only produces soap but also serves as a gathering place for community women to connect. In the future, we will add benches (previously, there were no chairs, just a large table) and shelves on the walls, allowing the Syrian mothers to sell their homemade food and crafts. This will enhance interaction among community women and generate income for their families.

Although Taiwan is not currently a UN member state, our center has gained recognition from IOM, enabling us to receive direct support from a UN organization. We are incredibly grateful for this acknowledgment of our long-term assistance to Syrian refugees. Moving forward, our center hopes to be a welcoming friend to the community, where people of all races, ages, and genders can find friendship, support, warmth, and care as we work together towards our dreams 💭.

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28/09/2024

【The First Chess Tournament Comes to a Successful Close!】
Since the summer of 2023, the Taiwan Center has been running regular chess classes for kids through volunteer teaching♟️. Local chess expert Elizzo continues to guide them on various techniques and game analysis.

After over a year of learning, the Taiwan Center hosted its first chess tournament this September, and the students were buzzing with excitement beforehand! 😀 The students were divided into three levels based on their abilities, but only the second and third-level students participated this time, while the first-level students observed as they were still beginners. There were eighteen participants in the second level (ages 10–12) and six in the third level (ages 12–14), making a total of twenty-four competitors.

The tournament lasted two days. On the first day, matches began at 10 AM, and after three intense rounds, three students from the second level and two from the third level emerged victorious, qualifying for the finals the next day. After a fiercely competitive final, Omar and Saba claimed the championships for the third and second levels, respectively. 🏆 Everyone congratulated them!

Omar expressed his joy, noting that chess has cultivated his patience and ability to handle pressure. He has learned to weigh the potential consequences of every decision made during the game, which has enhanced his decision-making skills. He studies games by reading books, analyzes his mistakes, and often plays against opponents of different skill levels to improve.

Saba enjoys the unique challenges and fun that each game brings, pushing her to come up with new ideas and strategies. For her, chess teaches the importance of thinking before acting since every move has long-term consequences. Playing chess has also improved her focus, as a small mistake can change the outcome of a match. While winning is thrilling, Saba has also learned to gracefully accept losses and learn from her mistakes.

The center provided prizes for the tournament: the champions received backpacks 🎒, clay, and notebooks 📓; the runners-up got backpacks and notebooks; and the third-place winners received sketchbooks, water bottles, and pens. For all the participants, regardless of the outcome, it was a memorable day filled with valuable experiences 🤩!

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21/09/2024

Computer Classroom Officially Opens~~Opening a Window to the World for Kids


For most children in Taiwan, computer education is readily available. However, for the children in Reyhanlı, Turkey, particularly Syrian refugee children, learning about computers 🖥️has been a distant dream. 💭

The elementary school in Reyhanlı originally offered computer classes, but after the Turkey-Syria earthquake last year, the school’s computer program was disrupted. Since then, the children have been unable to attend computer classes. Thanks to ’s generous donation of 80 brand-new interactive displays, the children can now explore the digital world just by touching the screen with their hands, without needing a keyboard or mouse. This simple interface allows even very young children to learn with ease.

To provide the children with the brightest and most comfortable learning environment, we converted a large hall that could accommodate 60-70 people into a computer classroom. On the day the classroom officially opened, the children walked in with their teachers and saw long wooden tables lined with brand-new ViewBoard interactive displays. The children’s faces immediately lit up with joyful smiles as they eagerly looked forward to learning how to use the new equipment! 😀

Digital education is no longer out of reach. Now, the Taiwan Center can offer regular computer classes for the children, starting with simple games to teach them how to use computers, and gradually advancing to drawing ✍️, basic document creation, and internet browsing. We hope every child can enjoy the learning process and easily connect with . 📕

The Taiwan Center has always been committed to enhancing children’s education by investing resources in their learning. We firmly believe that every child has the right to education and strive to make education equitable, regardless of socioeconomic status. Education is the key 🔑 to transforming lives and creating a different future, giving even refugee children in difficult circumstances the power to realize their dreams. 💭💕

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19/09/2024

📢 [Spreading Warmth:Taiwan Center's Essential Supply Distribution for Families]


This summer, Taiwan Center conducted a relief distribution, focusing on 386 children in need from student families. Our goal was to address the immediate needs of these families through providing essential supplies.
The distributed items included blankets, towels, hats, scarves, socks, summer and winter clothing, and undergarments. The summer clothing offered timely assistance, providing these families with additional clothes to help them cope with the hot summer. The winter clothing allows the recipient families to prepare in advance and be assured that they won’t have to worry about insufficient warm clothing.
For those in need locally, this distribution is a highly practical form of aid. Many families lack the financial means to cover even the most basic living expenses, so these essential items helps alleviate their daily pressures. Whenever possible, we aim to purchase supplies locally and distribute them directly to families in need. This approach not only reduces carbon emissions from transportation and supports the local economy but also ensures that the items are more suited to the specific needs of the local people.
We sincerely thank everyone who has contributed and supported this cause, as well as the volunteers who helped with the distribution. Your kindness has made it possible to spread this warmth. We look forward to continuing our efforts together in the future to promote peace and happiness around the world! 🌍🤝

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06/09/2024

🪀【Building Cultural Bridges: 2024 Taiwan Center Summer Camp Concludes Successfully】

The 2024 Taiwan Center Summer Camp has come to a successful close! The star ⭐️ of this event was the traditional Taiwanese toy—the spinning top. The children were thrilled as they crafted and played with these toys, enjoying every moment.

In the first session, spinning tops hand-painted by sixth graders from Xinsheng Elementary School in Taiwan were delivered to children in Turkey and Syria. These fascinating toys sparked curiosity among the local children. Under the guidance of student volunteers Sydney and Laurie, the kids not only learned how to play with the tops but also delved into the process of making them, gaining a deeper understanding of traditional Taiwanese craftsmanship.

In the following sessions, the children used wood lathes to paint their own tops. We would like to give special thanks 🙏to Manager Song from the NTUT Woodworking Innovation Center for providing technical support. He not only designed the wooden lathes but also offered technical guidance to the student volunteers.

During the final graduation ceremony, the Taiwan Center facilitated a virtual exchange between the camp participants and the students from Xinsheng Elementary School, along with their teacher, Mr. Chen, and Manager Song from NTUT. The children from Turkey and Syria proudly showcased their handmade spinning tops and shared the stories behind them in both English and Arabic. This was more than just a presentation—it was a meaningful cross-cultural exchange.

The Taiwan Center sincerely thanks all the volunteers and supporters involved, including student volunteers Sydney and Laurie, Manager Song from NTUT, the students, Mr. Chen from Xinsheng Elementary School, and the Taiwan Center teachers Firas, Hussein, Wafaa, and Rim. Your enthusiasm and dedication have made this summer camp a shining example of international cultural exchange, helping more people discover the beauty of Taiwan 🙏
🇹🇼.

We look forward to continuing to use Taiwan's traditional culture as a bridge to connect with people around the world! 🌍🫶

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