During our visit to Syria with the delegation of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (ICSU), we met with official authorities and examined on-site the humanitarian situation and the reconstruction process.For years, we have been standing by the people of the region through a wide range of activities across many parts of Syria, from education to humanitarian aid, from social support to development projects. We continue our efforts առանց interruption to carry our deep-rooted field experience and institutional memory further through new collaborations. In this context, together with the ICSU delegation, we conducted a comprehensive field visit to Syria between April 13–16, 2026. In order to identify current needs on-site and strengthen our institutional ties with local dynamics, we held intensive engagements along a wide route extending from Aleppo to Damascus.STRATEGIC MEETINGS IN DAMASCUSDuring the Damascus leg of our visit, we met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Damascus, Nuh Yılmaz, and evaluated the latest developments in the region and civil society activities. The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority shared with us its projects aimed at rebuilding infrastructure. In our meetings with the Ministry of Awqaf and the Presidency of Labor and Social Affairs, we focused on increasing social resilience and restoring public services. We also visited the historic Al-Osman Mosque and observed its spiritual atmosphere on-site.FIELD OBSERVATIONSAs part of our field program, we completed our official engagements in Aleppo with the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Aleppo, Muammer Hakan Cengiz, and the Head of the Aleppo Political Bureau, Saad Nahsan. In order to better understand the social fabric of the city, we held productive meetings with the Aleppo Beşir Association and the Syrian Forum Presidency. Following Aleppo, we traveled to Daraa, where we met with the Governor of Daraa, Anwar Taha al-Zuğbi, to discuss the humanitarian situation in the region and visited the historic Omar Mosque.FOUNDATIONS OF OUR FUTURE ACTIVITIESIn order to observe daily life and social facilities, we examined the Nadi Al-Muhafaza Sports Facility in Damascus. To better understand the region’s social dynamics, we visited the Douma district of Damascus and exchanged views with local residents and officials. These engagements form the basis of the activities we will carry out across Syria in the upcoming period, as well as our budget planning.As Bülbülzade Foundation, we remain firmly committed to contributing to the process of lasting recovery in the region and strengthening humanitarian aid bridges.

As part of the Erasmus+ project of Bülbülzade Association, 40 young people from 5 countries who came to Gaziantep met with Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin and examined the city’s global success model and future vision on site.The Erasmus+ KA151 project titled “Borderless Youth for an Inclusive Future,” carried out by Bülbülzade Association, supported by the Turkish National Agency and hosted by Bülbülzade Foundation, continues to bring international youth together with the cultural and administrative richness of Gaziantep. Within the scope of the project, a youth delegation of approximately 40 people from 5 different countries such as Germany, England, and Serbia visited Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin in her office. During the meeting, which took place in a sincere atmosphere, the young people had the opportunity to ask Mayor Şahin directly about the city’s historical texture, tradesmen culture, and local government achievements.THE ART OF BEING PART OF THE SOLUTIONDuring the visit, Fatma Şahin, who made comprehensive statements about the “Gaziantep Model,” which attracted great interest from the young people, defined this concept as the embodiment of the principles that the world calls productivity and coordination at the city scale. Şahin emphasized that the basis of success lies in the understanding of being part of the solution rather than the source of the problem by saying “we, not I” in every field from the refugee crisis to the mobilization in education. Giving concrete examples of work in the fields of migration management and social services, Şahin shared strategic steps with the young people, ranging from the integration of refugee children into the system to the construction of 126 schools built in cooperation with industrialists.GAVE ADVICE TO YOUTHAnswering questions from young people from different countries about personal development and success, Mayor Şahin referred to the life philosophy of Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar in her speech. Şahin reminded young people of the following three basic principles that will guide them in their career journeys:First of all, work very hard to make the long life ahead of you productive.Do not be afraid of failures; learn to rise quickly by taking a lesson from every fall.Begin the ideal of changing the world by first focusing on your own development and transforming yourself.

The Erasmus+ KA151 project, hosted by Bülbülzade Foundation and bringing together young people from different countries around the world in Gaziantep, opened its doors with exciting activities.The Erasmus+ KA151 project titled “Borderless Youth for an Inclusive Future,” carried out by Bülbülzade Association and supported by the Turkish National Agency, was launched with its first activities in Gaziantep on Monday, April 13. Coordinated by Bülbülzade Foundation, this meaningful program, which adds an international dimension to youth work, will continue for five days with an intensive schedule. Participants from different cultures will gather around common goals and gain valuable experiences in cultural interaction and the practice of living together.PRODUCTIVE SESSIONS FROM THE FIRST DAYThe first day of the program witnessed highly productive sessions that enabled participants to socialize with one another. Ice-breaking activities conducted by Clinical Psychologist Sena Aldemir allowed young people to both have fun and get to know each other better. Following the introduction phase, presentations of the institutions involved in the project were carried out, strengthening the grounds for cooperation. In the morning session, Mesut Aydağ addressed the youth with his presentation titled “The Key to Living Together: Youth and Shared Values.”THEY DISCOVERED GAZIANTEP CULTUREAs the activities continued, participants toured various units and application centers within the Bülbülzade Foundation complex in detail. Young people who examined the foundation center on-site received information from officials about ongoing activities and closely observed how the institution operates. One of the most interesting parts of the day, the city tour, took place under the guidance of Hüseyin Rahmi Açıkkol and Asım Mıhçıoğlu. Participants had the opportunity to closely learn about the historical and cultural texture of Gaziantep through expert narration.THEORETICAL TRAININGS AND FIELD ACTIVITIESIn the following days of the project, theoretical trainings and field activities will be carried out together. The session titled “Youth and Cultural Identity” will be held under the moderation of Hacı Abuzer Nas, with the participation of Salih Ekrem Oğlakcı and Dilara Osanmaz. In sections addressing psychological and social perspectives, Sena Aldemir will present “Same Island: The Social and Psychological Effects of Living Together,” while Zehra Aldemir will discuss “Common Ground: Living Together with Boundaries and Flexibility.” Additionally, BEKAM President and Bülbülzade Foundation Board Member Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu will meet with young people through his speech titled “Active Citizenship Models for Youth as the Key to Social Participation.”YOUTH WILL PLANT SAPLINGS IN KURTULUŞ FORESTAs part of field activities, participants will contribute to nature by taking part in a sapling planting event in the Bülbülzade Foundation Kurtuluş Forest. In the “Human Library” event, which is one of the most remarkable parts of the program, Mustafa El-Huseyin, Nadia Cuma, and Lütfiye Güvenç will share their life experiences. The program, which will continue with the session titled “NGO Policies for Inclusive Coexistence: The Role of Youth,” will conclude with a general evaluation and certificate ceremony on Friday, April 17.

The delegation of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (ISDB) was in the region under the guidance of our foundation as part of the reconstruction efforts in Syria. The first stop of the visits was Aleppo.The field visit to Syria, organized by the Union of Islamic World NGOs (UISW) and scheduled for April 13–16, 2026, began yesterday. The delegation, which departed from Istanbul and traveled by road via Gaziantep to Aleppo, made one of its first stops at our foundation’s Aleppo Anatolian Cultural Center. The first day’s program was entirely dedicated to analyzing Aleppo’s current situation and strengthening coordination with local authorities. The delegation met with Aleppo Governor Azzam el-Garib and Turkish Consul General Muammer Hakan Cengiz to assess the latest on-the-ground conditions firsthand. Following the official meetings, delegation members conducted inspections around Aleppo Citadel and observed how the infrastructure destroyed by the war could be rebuilt.SOCIAL RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE THROUGH EDUCATION AND CULTUREAddressing the delegation at the Aleppo Anatolian Culture Center, Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir shared the current situation in the region and the strategic vision of the foundation. Stating that Syria cannot recover solely through physical reconstruction, Aldemir emphasized that social recovery is only possible through education and culture. Drawing attention to the pioneering role undertaken by our foundation across Syria, Aldemir noted that the real impact of humanitarian diplomacy in the field is reflected in the trust established with local communities.WE UNDERTAKE THE ROLE OF SOCIAL ARCHITECTUREIn his speech, President Turgay Aldemir elaborated on the progress of one of our foundation’s most important projects, the Anatolian Culture Centers. Stating that the centers operating in Aleppo as well as in Al-Bab, Jarabulus, Afrin, and Azaz are not merely educational institutions, Aldemir said that these centers have also become hubs where social peace is built. Expressing that thousands of young people and children have been reached through these centers, Aldemir reminded that our foundation has undertaken the role of social architecture in the reconstruction of Syria.

Mozaik Women and Family Association brought together its members and volunteers within the scope of the 2026 Spring In-Service Program organized under the theme of "Civil Movement."Participants who arrived at the camp area in the early morning took part in an intensive day-long training and interaction program. The first session, which began under the moderation of Elif Bozkurt, was followed by panels led by Songül Özkaya and Fadime Eminoğlu. In the afternoon part of the program, Habibe Er and Serap Nas led sessions addressing the dynamics of civil society. The civil drama activity held during the breaks between trainings provided participants with the opportunity to put theoretical knowledge into practice and to demonstrate collective creativity.THE CRITICAL ROLE OF NGOs IN SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONOne of the most remarkable moments of the day was the "36th Year Presentation in Civil Society" delivered by Rabia Aldemir, President of the Mozaik Women and Family Association. Aldemir emphasized the critical role of non-governmental organizations in social transformation by sharing her many years of experience. The program, which ended with dinner, offered important insights into the association’s vision for the upcoming period. This gathering once again demonstrated the association’s determination to enhance its professional capacity and strengthen the bonds of social solidarity.

With a festival organized together with its stakeholders, Bülbülzade Foundation brought smiles to the faces of children in Nurdağı. Young volunteers and little students came together at the heart of games, demonstrating one of the finest examples of solidarity.The “One World of Games, A Thousand Worlds of Smiles” event, prepared in cooperation with Bülbülzade Foundation, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, and Turkuaz Fikir Topluluğu, was held at Nurten Öztürk Primary School in Nurdağı. This special day, attended by Nurdağı District Governor Nurullah Cemil Erciyas and District Director of National Education Musa Yıldırım, delighted young hearts while bringing university students together around the spirit of kindness.YOUTH BUILT STRONG BONDS WITH CHILDRENColorful painting tables set up in the schoolyard and intelligence game corners in classrooms provided children with unforgettable moments. ESC (European Solidarity Corps) volunteers of our foundation and students from Gaziantep University engaged with the children one-on-one and led games. This strong bond between youth and children spread the spirit of solidarity throughout the school.THEY LIT A STRONG LIGHT OF HOPEThroughout the day, children released their energy through sports activities while improving their mental skills with chess and tangram games. Thanks to the game-based learning approach, the little ones gained new skills while enjoying themselves. This meaningful organization proved how institutions and young volunteers can come together to ignite a powerful light of hope in society.