Abstract

Levent ERASLAN, Erdi ERDOGAN and Yunus HAYRAN

The concept of value can be defined as relative behavior patterns which are idealized by individuals
within the context of their own philosophies and various factors (religion, culture, history) in the
society. Especially, values have significant role in shaping societies by providing human rights based
environments and preventing conflicts in daily life. Societies which transfer proper national and
international values to individuals, live in peace. In the context of social benefit, NGOs also can
contribute to value education process. In general, the concept of civil society is an area between public
and private area or at their intersection created on a voluntary basis by the citizens who have rights and
responsibilities in the fields other than the family, the state, the market and the politics in order to solve
their problems and protect their rights. This area, which is pluralistic, autonomous, and participative
and includes civil activities, relations and interests, ensures that their demands are met by means of
various embodiments. Peoples who participate in these organizations, can contribute to different
sections of society. One of these sections is education. NGOs have also a significant duty to represent
the needs and values of the society within the context of their basic philosophy. NGOs are based on
social values with this mission and values are transferred or changed through or by NGOs at the same
time. This study is first to examine value education process through an analysis on the concept of
value. Then, the roles and functions of NGOs will be discussed in the context of national and
international examples in value education.