Bülbülzade Foundation and BEKAM have signed an official cooperation protocol with the New Horizon Association operating in France in order to strengthen international youth and education projects.A delegation consisting of members of the Board of Directors of Bülbülzade Foundation and the Science Education Culture Research Center (BEKAM), as well as volunteers, held meetings in the city of Strasbourg, France, within the scope of efforts to expand the international civil society network. The delegation visited the New Horizon Association, which carries out active activities in the region. During the visit, our delegation met with New Horizon President Ekrem Recep Şahin and evaluated the joint projects successfully carried out between the two institutions to date. During the meeting, comprehensive planning was made regarding international youth, education, and volunteering activities to be implemented in the upcoming period.JOINT ACTIVITIES WILL INCREASEFollowing the meetings, an official cooperation protocol was signed between the institutions in order to further strengthen institutional ties. The signed protocol aims to increase global-scale projects, particularly Erasmus+ programs, youth initiatives, and joint activities in the field of civil society. The institutional partnership is expected to contribute to young people taking more active roles at the international level.

A delegation from the Bülbülzade Foundation and BEKAM visited the DITIB Headquarters in Germany to explore opportunities for cooperation in the fields of civil society and youth.A delegation consisting of members of the Board of Directors and volunteers from the Bülbülzade Foundation and the Science, Education, Culture and Research Center (BEKAM) carried out an important international visit as part of their civil society activities. The delegation paid an official visit to the headquarters of the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DITIB), located in Cologne, Germany.As part of the visit, our delegation was welcomed by DITIB Secretary General Eyüp Kalyon. During the meeting, in which mutual institutional experiences were shared, DITIB’s work in the fields of education, youth, family, and religious services was examined in detail.SHARING OF EXPERIENCEThe main agenda items of the meeting focused on potential joint initiatives and strategic cooperation opportunities in the field of civil society. In particular, a mutual understanding was reached on increasing international projects and volunteer activities aimed at young people. In the upcoming period, it is aimed to take steps that will strengthen the sharing of experience between the two institutions.

Students who came together at the traditional picnic organized as part of the BİLİM-DER Summer School spent the day enjoying fun games and boosting their morale in the natural atmosphere of Dülükbaba Nature Park.The Science, Youth, Education, Social, Health, Culture, Solidarity and Assistance Association (BİLİM-DER) continues to enrich its summer school program, which it successfully carries out under the umbrella of the Bülbülzade Foundation, with social activities. Alongside the comprehensive educational curriculum prepared by the Anadolu Federation, the association aims to increase children's motivation and strengthen their social bonds, and in line with this objective organized a meaningful outdoor activity. The event, attended by a large number of students enrolled in the summer school, provided children with the opportunity to spend a day immersed in nature.BOTH FUN AND TEAM SPIRIT IN THE HEART OF NATUREThe picnic event, organized at Dülükbaba Nature Park, one of Gaziantep's most important green spaces, began around midday. After their theoretical lessons in the classroom, the students had the opportunity to gather outdoors and participated in various competitions prepared under the coordination of their instructors. Thanks to the traditional games, sports activities, and group events held throughout the day, the children not only enjoyed their holiday period but also had the chance to experience values such as teamwork and solidarity in practice.SOCIAL ACTIVITIES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF EDUCATIONBİLİM-DER officials stated that they have adopted a fun-based learning model in their summer school programs and emphasized the importance of such social organizations. It was noted that picnics and similar outdoor activities play a critical role in helping children relieve school-related fatigue, make new friendships, and develop a sense of belonging. It was also emphasized that the summer school, which is not limited to the transfer of knowledge alone, will continue to make a direct contribution to children's character development and motivation through such holistic activities.

Gaziantep Anadolu Student Union brought university students together in a meaningful gathering to plan future projects and evaluate summer-term activities.The traditional student gathering organized by Gaziantep Anadolu Student Union was held in the meeting hall of the Bülbülzade Foundation. The event, attended by a large number of students studying at universities in Gaziantep and neighboring provinces, provided an opportunity for young people in the region to both evaluate the activities of the past term and make plans for the future. During the meeting, led by Gaziantep Anadolu Student Union President Seyre Batuk and Celal Er, the details of the upcoming summer-term programs were discussed as a priority. Students from different cities exchanged ideas by sharing information about the institutional activities and youth initiatives they have been carrying out in their respective regions.PLANS WERE DETAILEDThe main purpose of the gathering was to receive information about the activities carried out throughout the year by students studying in Gaziantep and in other provinces. At the meeting, which aimed to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the institutional bond with young people, academic and social plans for the upcoming summer period—including camps, research methodology workshops, and journal analysis programs—were discussed in detail. In addition, training schedules that would contribute to the personal development of the students were jointly determined.STUDENTS' EXPECTATIONS WERE HEARDThe meeting also devoted considerable attention to the demands and expectations of the students. Sharing their ideas for the upcoming term, the university students requested a more efficient library and study environment. Another prominent request expressed by the young participants was the establishment of a comprehensive educational academy in Gaziantep. Following the consultations, the gathering concluded with the finalization of decisions regarding the activities for the new term.

Through the Earthquake Region Summer Schools it has launched in the districts of Nurdağı and İslahiye, the Bülbülzade Foundation is touching the lives of students aged 8 to 13, contributing to their social, cultural, and intellectual development.The Bülbülzade Foundation continues with determination its efforts to restore normalcy in earthquake-affected areas and support the educational journeys of children. Within this scope, the Earthquake Region Summer Schools, organized in the districts of Nurdağı and İslahiye, are being carried out with the enthusiastic participation of students between the ages of 8 and 13. Through this meaningful initiative, the Foundation contributes to the education of many children in the disaster region while providing them with the opportunity to spend their summer holidays in a productive, safe, and peaceful environment.A PROGRAM TAILORED TO AGE GROUPSAs part of the summer schools, a comprehensive curriculum developed by the Anadolu Federation is being implemented to support the students' spiritual as well as physical development. The program, prepared in accordance with the children's age groups and levels of comprehension, includes important subjects such as Qur'an lessons, values education, and basic etiquette. In addition to theoretical knowledge, mind games and sports activities aimed at enhancing the children's intellectual and physical abilities also form a dynamic part of the program. Thanks to this diverse content, students not only acquire new knowledge but also have the opportunity to socialize with their peers in a healthy environment.A STRONG EXAMPLE OF SOCIAL SOLIDARITYOne of the primary objectives of the project is to erase the negative effects that the earthquake has left on children and to strengthen them psychosocially. The educational model, which conveys national and spiritual values in harmony, aims to develop the children's life skills. This multifaceted process, supported by cultural content, sports, and games, helps children overcome their trauma more easily. By demonstrating a strong example of social solidarity, the Bülbülzade Foundation is preparing the children—the guarantee of the future—to become well-equipped individuals who are committed to their values and capable of overcoming challenges.

A delegation from the Bülbülzade Foundation and BEKAM visited the headquarters of the Turkish-Islamic Union in Europe (ATIB) with the aim of carrying out joint activities in the field of civil society and evaluating opportunities for cooperation.A delegation consisting of board members and volunteers from the Bülbülzade Foundation and the Science Education Culture Research Center (BEKAM) paid an official visit to the ATIB Headquarters, which operates in Cologne, Germany. During the meeting, hosted by ATIB President Alipaşa Akbaş, significant steps were taken toward strengthening inter-institutional relations. As part of the visit, the delegation received detailed information about ATIB’s activities and institutional work carried out across Europe. The main agenda items of the meeting were projects conducted in the fields of education, youth, family, culture, and volunteering.EMPHASIS ON INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIESThe two well-established institutions comprehensively evaluated opportunities for joint projects and cooperation that could be implemented in the future by combining their experience in these fields. During the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on international activities that will support the social, cultural, and academic development of young people. The meeting, which emphasized the importance of sharing experience in the field of civil society, concluded with discussions on planning future joint activities and the exchange of mutual expressions of goodwill.