Ahmet Dalkıran, Director General of Integration and Communication at the Presidency of Migration Management, visited the Bülbülzade Foundation and examined on site the foundation’s work centered on migration and Syria. Civil diplomacy and integration processes were evaluated during the meeting.The Bülbülzade Foundation hosted Ahmet Dalkıran, Director General of Integration and Communication at the Presidency of Migration Management, to present its multidimensional work on the Syrian crisis and migration management. During the meeting, humanitarian aid activities carried out since the beginning of the Syrian crisis and the social recovery movements that began following the crisis were discussed in detail. While the importance of the Common Future Meetings, which bring Turkish and Syrian opinion leaders together at the same table, was emphasized, it was stated that Gaziantep has assumed a central role in this historic process. It was conveyed that the bonds between the two societies should be strengthened and systematic relations should be maintained.CIVIL DIPLOMACY AND CULTURAL RECONSTRUCTIONOne of the most important agenda items of the meeting was the education and cultural projects implemented and planned in Syria. It was stated that the Anatolian Cultural Centers (AKM) opened in Aleppo, Afrin, Al-Bab, Azaz and Jarabulus have established a strong civil diplomacy bridge between the two countries. The activities of the Aleppo AKM, which was restored in just three months and provides education to more than one thousand students, were highly appreciated. On the other hand, it was shared that the licensing processes for the youth center planned to be established in Damascus, as well as the publishing house and radio station projects to be opened in Syria, are nearing completion. In this context, it was reminded that the work of the Migrant Services Center and book translations continue uninterrupted.MIGRATION IS AN OPPORTUNITY RATHER THAN A CRISISAnother prominent issue discussed at the meeting was that migration should not be considered solely as a crisis and should be transformed into a great opportunity. It was stated that hundreds of thousands of Syrian children born in Türkiye now feel themselves to be an integral part of this society and that Syrians have developed such a deep sense of belonging that they even acquire burial plots in Türkiye. Emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen diaspora ties and establish qualified relations with counterparts on a human basis, going beyond numbers. It was stated that the meticulous diplomacy processes carried out by governorships with opinion leaders, in which everyone is listened to, make a significant contribution to this integration.SYSTEMATIC SOLUTIONS FREE FROM SUPERFICIALITYIt was emphasized that the vision of migration and integration efforts in the new period should move away from superficiality. It was noted that going beyond the basic needs of the vast population living in cities and building more permanent, integrated systems instead of day-to-day aid such as food parcel distribution are necessary. It was conveyed that the complex problems brought about by the age can be solved through modern and sustainable systems, while it was stated that the successful system in Türkiye should also serve as a model for the reconstruction of Syria.

Hayata Dokun Association and Kızılay jointly organized an educational program in which social values and morality were discussed in detail.The educational meeting held on Friday, August 7, 2026, served as a good example of the valuable cooperation between non-governmental organizations. During the program, highly useful information was shared on the foundations of social solidarity and strengthening the family structure. At the event, how morality should be practiced in our lives and the foundations of behavior were discussed in detail. During the meeting, which focused on the attitudes that should be displayed toward society and family values, participants were guided by distinguishing between good and bad behaviors. The conscious or unconscious use of technology, one of today’s biggest problems, and the harms of social media were also among the main topics of the session.SOCIAL VALUES WERE TAUGHT THROUGH PLAYWhile the responsibilities of education and instruction were emphasized, great attention was drawn to the problem of communication breakdown both within the family and throughout society. Experts emphasized the importance of preserving respect, love, mutual assistance, and moral values in the family environment. The program was not limited to theoretical information but also witnessed sincere moments with the active participation of children. Following a warm conversation with the children, an educational game was played about the social values they had learned.

Bülbülzade Foundation Post-Disaster Coordination Office organized a book analysis program at the Nurdağı District Governor’s Office with the participation of students and families.A comprehensive book analysis program was held at the Nurdağı District Governor’s Office on Friday, August 7, 2026, in cooperation with the Bülbülzade Foundation Post-Disaster Coordination Office and the Children’s Life Center. Nurdağı District Governor Nurullah Cemil Erciyas also attended the event, which brought together summer school students and their families. The gathering was organized with the aim of developing children’s reading culture and strengthening intergenerational communication.GREAT APPLAUSE FROM THOSE IN THE HALLBefore the book analysis began, summer school students from the Nurdağı Children’s Life Center and İslahiye Children’s Life Center took the stage. The students presented a variety of colorful performances they had prepared throughout the summer period to the audience. The students received great applause from those in the hall for their performances. Immediately following the colorful performances, the main part of the program, the book analysis, began. During the session, conducted under the guidance of Zehra Çetinkaya, Şermin Yaşar’s book titled “Telefon Melefon Yok!” was examined. During the interactive gathering, families as well as students took the floor and shared their own experiences and opinions on screen use, which is the main theme of the book.

The event, held with the participation of Mesut Aydağ, emphasized the importance of questioning information and critical thinking.At the “Critical Thinking Skills” program organized by the Anatolian Student Union at Bülbülzade Foundation, the vital importance of asking “Why?” and “How?” instead of accepting information as it is was addressed from multiple perspectives. Under the main theme of critical thinking skills, which constituted the focus of the program, fundamental approaches in the history of philosophy were discussed. In this context, the ideas put forward by both Islamic and Western philosophers on knowledge and thought were examined comprehensively. Participants had the opportunity to listen to and interpret the thought systems of different civilizations comparatively.ENRICHED OUR PERSPECTIVEIn his presentation, Mesut Aydağ explained with concrete examples how critical thinking can move beyond being merely a theoretical concept and be applied through practical methods in academia and daily life. This productive gathering, which challenged conventional assumptions and enriched our perspective, laid the groundwork for approaching problems from an analytical framework.

As Bülbülzade Foundation, we warmly welcomed the International Palestine Convoy, which set out to raise its voice in support of the rightful struggle of the Palestinian people, in our city.The civil initiative, which departed from Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina under the name "Palestine Convoy," proceeds with a direct focus on universal law and human dignity. Starting from the European continent and reaching Gaziantep via the Anatolian route, the activists' ultimate destination is Ramallah, where they aim to take a stand against the unjust blockade that has continued for years. This major gathering, held at Şahinbey Millet Mosque with the participation of thousands of our citizens, community leaders, and representatives of civil society organizations, once again proclaimed our city's unwavering conviction to the entire world.

At the press conference organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation, its regional and international vision was shared, drawing attention to civil diplomacy and sustainable projects.Regional representatives of the local and national press gathered at the Bülbülzade Foundation. A comprehensive briefing was provided on the Foundation's extensive activities carried out from its headquarters in Gaziantep. During the meeting, which attracted significant interest from members of the press, the details of the "new generation foundation" model, which goes beyond the traditional understanding of charitable assistance, were shared. Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir presented journalists with projects implemented in many fields, ranging from education and civil diplomacy to ecological initiatives and international cultural centers.THIS IS THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE WE LIVE INTurgay Aldemir emphasized the Foundation's work on international student mobility, describing it as a form of cultural diplomacy. Stating that an average of 650 young people come to the region from abroad every year and are also sent from here to the Balkans and Europe, Aldemir said, "This is actually a complete example of civil diplomacy. The well-established concepts developed through the world's existing accumulation are no longer sufficient to define this era. This is the spirit of the age; this is the spirit of our time." Aldemir also noted that young people from many different countries, from France to Azerbaijan, actively take part in workshops and aid stores in the earthquake-affected region.Emphasizing that the concept of foundation work should not be limited solely to distributing food or financial aid, President Aldemir highlighted the importance of intellectual development and education. Aldemir said, "In our country, foundation work has generally focused on distributing aid. However, ideas, thought, books, and education are extremely important... From this perspective, we aim to determine how we can position and strengthen this new generation foundation model in line with Türkiye's new vision."WE ARE A FOUNDATION THAT PRODUCES ITS OWN ENERGYAnother important topic highlighted during the meeting was ecological projects and sustainability. Providing information about the Kurtuluş Forest project implemented on the Kahramanmaraş–Gaziantep border, Aldemir explained that thousands of truckloads of stones had been removed from a 250-decare volcanic area and that 35,000 trees had been planted. Stating that the project was carried out entirely through independent resources, Aldemir emphasized the importance of protecting nature and the land. Adding that the Foundation generates its own energy through solar panels, the President said, "We produce our own energy. We generate more than we consume, and the surplus becomes additional income."WE HAVE ONE THOUSAND STUDENTS IN ALEPPOPresident Aldemir also touched upon the cultural restoration and educational activities in Syria, stating that they restored a historic stone mansion in Aleppo and transformed it into a massive cultural center. Noting that hundreds of students receive education at the Aleppo Anatolian Cultural Center, Aldemir said, "Here, we provide education ranging from Turkish and Arabic to psychosocial support, human rights, and vocational training. This place has an advisory council. It consists of people from different religions, and we preserve that diversity."