Syrian Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Münir Mustafa and his accompanying delegation visited the Bülbülzade Foundation and held consultations on joint projects.Syrian Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Münir Mustafa and the Head of the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Muhammed Şuşan, paid an institutional visit to the Bülbülzade Foundation. During the visit, the current situation in Syria was evaluated, while comprehensive exchanges of views were held on potential joint projects that could be carried out between the two institutions in the future.CIVIL SOCIETY'S CONTINUOUS SUPPORTDuring the meeting, the delegation was briefed on the work carried out by the Bülbülzade Foundation in the region to date. In particular, details were shared regarding the activities carried out with a focus on the Aleppo Anatolian Cultural Center and Damascus, as well as the projects jointly implemented in the field. Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Münir Mustafa, drawing attention to the continuous support provided by Türkiye and civil society organizations in the region, expressed his gratitude by saying, “We really do not know how we will repay the kindness Türkiye has shown us.”

Turgay Aldemir, Chairman of the Bülbülzade Foundation, who participated in the family and population workshop organized by Enstitü Sosyal, presented important solution proposals regarding education, employment and family policies.Enstitü Sosyal organized a workshop at its headquarters in Üsküdar under the title “As We Begin the Decade of Family and Population: Opportunities, Risks and Policy Recommendations” to address issues concerning Türkiye’s demographic future and family structure. Turgay Aldemir, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bülbülzade Foundation and Anatolian Federation, also participated in the workshop, where Türkiye’s demographic future was evaluated, and contributed to the discussions in the workshop groups.THE PROBLEM OF SOCIAL TRUSTThe opening speech of the workshop was delivered by İpek Coşkun Armağan, General Coordinator of Enstitü Sosyal. Coşkun stated that, within the scope of a field study conducted with the participation of more than 10,000 people, they carried out in-depth interviews, interviews and focus group studies in many provinces. Stating that the research findings pointed to some problems in the way the population issue is addressed, Coşkun emphasized that the issue should not be evaluated solely in terms of the decline in the young population that will be sent to the military in the future. Coşkun stated that the main issue is social strength and social resilience.THE WORKING PROCESS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOPCoşkun stated that, rather than asking participants to conduct a study from scratch, they would proceed through a pre-prepared semi-structured framework, and said that the 10-year design was planned in two-year periods. He stated that the design was prepared by taking into consideration world examples and the effectiveness of practices. Saying that the plan would be developed through the contributions and evaluations of the participants, Coşkun stated that the framework to emerge from the workshop, which included participants from different fields of expertise and institutions, was planned to be submitted to the Population Policies Board and the Ministry of Family and Social Services.A CHILD IS LIFE ITSELFDoç. Dr. Tarık Yiğit, who gave the presentation at the workshop, shared with the participants the framework created under the title “Current Situation in the World and Türkiye” based on the findings obtained from the field studies conducted by Enstitü Sosyal. Yiğit stated that the fertility rate, which was 4.7 worldwide in 1960, has declined to critical levels and will fall below the replacement threshold of 2.1 within a few years, noting that demographic sustainability has become a fundamental matter of existence for all countries. Stating that the main goal should not be merely quantitative population growth, but rather the creation of a resilient, sustainable and qualified social structure, Yiğit concluded his speech as follows: “Human beings are hope and high potential beyond a crisis or burden. A new social norm should be built. We need to believe again that having a child is a primary and valuable life experience. A child is life itself, the fundamental indicator of life.”THE CURRENT EDUCATION MODEL DOES NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF WORKING LIFESpeaking at the workshop, Turgay Aldemir drew attention to the fact that one of the main reasons young people marry late is compulsory education processes and employment problems. Stating that the current education model in high schools and universities does not meet the needs of working life, Aldemir said that young people spend years preparing for university after high school and have difficulty finding jobs in their fields after graduation, emphasizing that the duration of education should be reconsidered. Saying that unemployment postpones the age of marriage until the 30s and that this brings physiological and psychological problems along with it, Aldemir also stated that thematic studies should be carried out to prevent boys from becoming confined to the home and to strengthen their participation in social life.FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS PROPOSAL FOR WORKING MOTHERSStating that working mothers directly affect the number of children, Aldemir proposed practical solutions supported by the state and private sector for women participating in working life. Advocating that the working hours of mothers and fathers should be reduced according to the number of children after the second child, Aldemir stated that a mother with three children could work three hours less a day, thereby caring for her child while also experiencing the happiness of motherhood. Emphasizing the importance of preserving the traditional family structure in modern cities, Aldemir stated that the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change should develop new housing models suitable for extended families.

Officials from the Turkish Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage and postgraduate archaeology students visited our foundation and received information about the work we carry out.As part of the “Archaeology Experience of the Turkic World” project, postgraduate students who came to Türkiye from all corners of the Turkic world to learn about excavation works carried out in our country and the methods used in these studies paid a meaningful visit to our foundation. Officials from the Turkish Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage also accompanied this delegation from across the Turkic world. During this important gathering, our foundation’s mission and current projects were discussed in depth.MULTIFACETED PROJECTS WERE SHAREDAs part of the visit program, BEKAM President Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu and Bülbülzade Foundation Secretary General Adem Er, who hosted the delegation, shared detailed information about the activities and multifaceted projects carried out within the institution. During the meeting, the students were given comprehensive information about the Bülbülzade Foundation Kurtuluş Forest project, which we have implemented with a focus on environmental and future awareness, under the principle of “Reforming the generation, developing the earth.”BOTH A CULTURAL AND ACADEMIC GATHERINGDuring the meeting, special emphasis was also placed on our foundation’s strong vision in the international field. The activities of our ESC volunteers, who come to our city from different geographies and contribute to our social initiatives, as well as all the details of our Erasmus+ projects supported by the Turkish National Agency, were conveyed to the visiting delegation. This fruitful gathering, which served as an exchange of both cultural and academic ideas, concluded with mutual wishes for cooperation.

The “Youth International Networking and Civil Diplomacy Skills in the Digital Age” activity, organized within the scope of the Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Mobility project supported by the Turkish National Agency and carried out by Bülbülzade Association, was successfully completed on 14 August 2026 in Kızılcahamam, Ankara.The Erasmus+ KA151 youth activity titled “Youth International Networking and Civil Diplomacy Skills in the Digital Age,” supported by the Turkish National Agency and implemented under the leadership of Bülbülzade Association, was successfully completed with the closing program held in Kızılcahamam, Ankara. The activity, organized between 10 and 14 August 2026, was attended by Alaca Association from North Macedonia, USAP and Maarif Europe from Germany, Maarif Belgium from Belgium, IFS EMMAUS from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Novi Pazar Turkish Cultural Center from Serbia, New Horizon from France, and Bülbülzade Association, Anatolian Student Union, BEKAM, REFAR and Yeşil Umut Association from Türkiye. During the four-day activity, young people received intensive training on topics such as civil diplomacy, intercultural communication and digitalization, and are preparing to return to their countries with the skills and knowledge they gained.FOUNDATIONS FOR COOPERATION WERE LAIDThe program, held at Eliz Hotel Convention Center Thermal Spa & Wellness, was carried out simultaneously with the 20th Anatolian Gatherings. Within the scope of the program, seminars, workshops, policy development activities, simultaneous youth forums, peer-learning activities, meet-and-greet and socialization events, a cultural evening, quizzes and various social activities were held. Thanks to the seminars, workshops and policy development forums held throughout the program, the foundations of new international collaborations were laid. The role of young people in building trust between societies was addressed with great care.A KEY ROLE IN PREVENTING CRISESThe closing session held on the final day of the project was marked by colorful moments in which participating young people shared their feelings and thoughts. Taking the floor, the young people emphasized the importance of getting to know different cultures and developing a common understanding. Civil society leaders and academics who delivered the closing speeches of the program stated that civil diplomacy plays a key role in preventing crises. The speakers expressed that listening is a virtue that heals people and opens the way to hearts.EMPHASIS ON INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOODFollowing the closing program, Youthpass certificates documenting the participants’ learning outcomes were presented by the project coordinators. Following the certificate ceremony, the Cultural Evening event began and truly became a colorful gathering of cultures. The participating young people shared different tastes by offering local snacks specially brought from their own countries to one another at the common tables set up. Throughout the night, local dances were performed to the accompaniment of national music from the countries, while the young people had very enjoyable moments. This cheerful event, which gave participants the opportunity to get to know each other’s cultures closely, further reinforced the project’s emphasis on international friendship and brotherhood.

A clothing aid and entertainment program was organized for summer school students through the cooperation of Fidan-Der and Bülbülzade Foundation.The Aid Store, which has been operating under the Bülbülzade Foundation for many years, hosted a goodwill-filled organization by Fidan-Der Education Social Health Culture Assistance and Solidarity Association this time. Within the scope of the event, which aimed to bring smiles to the faces of Fidan-Der summer school students, children were provided with clothing support and were also given the opportunity to spend an unforgettable day in specially prepared play areas.MOMENTS FILLED WITH HAPPINESSDuring the organization, children had the chance to choose, try on and take clothes from the store according to their own tastes. After choosing their clothes, the little ones moved on to the colorful activities prepared for them. The face-painting activity, in particular, attracted great interest from the children, while the participants spent an enjoyable time in the games and entertainment area. The event concluded as a beautiful reflection of solidarity and the children’s moments filled with happiness.

The 6th Anatolian Children’s Gathering, organized within the scope of the 20th Anatolian Gatherings, was completed with colorful activities. Children had the opportunity to have fun and learn in workshops themed around cooperation and solidarity.The 6th Anatolian Children’s Gathering, organized within the scope of the 20th Anatolian Gatherings, which brought together participants from all across Türkiye, was held with great interest from the little ones. Prepared within the framework of civil diplomacy, the main theme of this year’s events, the program aimed to instill in children a culture of living together and a spirit of unity. During the three-day, action-packed organization, children both made new friendships and shared the joy of creating together.MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENTThe event schedule was shaped around a variety of special activities that would contribute to the children’s mental, physical and artistic development. Following the introductory games held on the first day, the children designed three-dimensional flags representing countries from their imaginary worlds. Taking their first steps into science and technology through the moving robots workshop, the little ones also demonstrated their manual skills in the paper filigree and embroidery picture workshops. The importance of teamwork was reinforced through group obstacle-course games, while the P4C philosophy workshop encouraged the children to think. In addition to these, the workshop where awareness of recycling was raised, as well as three-dimensional keychain and jewelry design activities, also received full marks from the participants.THE LITTLE ONES EXHIBITED THEIR WORKSThe closing ceremony of the three-day program was the scene of emotional moments. Taking the stage, the children reflected the spirit of civil diplomacy of the event to the audience by saying the phrase “There are no borders, there is friendship” in different languages. The adult brothers and sisters accompanying the children on stage reinforced this strong message of solidarity by reciting Yunus Emre’s verse, “If we share, we will be full; if we divide, we will disappear.” All the works and materials carefully prepared by the little ones throughout the workshops were opened to visitors in a special area set up on the final day of the event. Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin visited the exhibition area and closely examined the children’s handmade works. Şahin also met with the educators and took a commemorative photograph with the participants.