Organized by the Anadolu Federation, the 20th Anadolu Gatherings will be held in Ankara from 10–14 August 2026 under the theme "The Century of Türkiye and Civil Diplomacy."The symposium will bring together numerous civil society volunteers, academics, and bureaucrats from Türkiye and around the world under one roof, creating a common platform for dialogue between global thought leaders and international representatives. At a time when the multilayered crises of the twenty-first century can no longer be managed through classical diplomatic methods, the Anadolu Gatherings will reassess the constructive role of civil society in building trust and fostering bridges between societies. Drawing strength from the historical legacy extending from the early periods of Islamic civilization to modern humanitarian aid practices, the symposium prioritizes strengthening Türkiye’s civil diplomacy capacity in the international arena and developing new policy proposals by establishing multi-stakeholder platforms of solidarity.The list of speakers and the draft program are as follows:

The Closing Program of the 5-week Summer Schools organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation was held at the Şehitkamil Cultural Center with the strong participation of families.Reaching thousands of children in Gaziantep as well as in Syria and the Balkans, the Bülbülzade Foundation Summer Schools came to an end with a grand closing program held at the Şehitkamil Cultural Center. At the event, which attracted great interest from families and filled the hall, the stage performances prepared by the children throughout the summer provided the audience with unforgettable moments. The program, which was filled with colorful scenes, showcased the excitement and happiness of the young students.OUR STORY DID NOT BEGIN WITH SUMMER, NOR DOES IT END WITH SUMMERIn his welcoming speech, Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir emphasized that education is not limited to the summer months alone. Thanking everyone who contributed to this wave of enthusiasm, Aldemir stated that activities for children would continue throughout the entire year. Recalling the late Ahmet Mukdat Ziylan’s words, “There is no complaint, there is a solution,” Aldemir said that wherever there are children, there is always hope and a solution, concluding his remarks as follows: “Today we are at the graduation program of the summer schools. However, our story did not begin with summer, nor does it end with summer. We are concluding one period here, but our secondary education programs for our children, our activities in schools, and our social responsibility projects will continue throughout the year with the support of our parents.”WE WILL ALWAYS CARRY YOUR KINDNESS IN OUR HEARTSOne of the most meaningful moments of the closing program was the speech of gratitude delivered by Syrian student Avin Hac Musa to the Turkish people. Speaking on behalf of Syrian children, Hac Musa expressed her gratitude to the noble Turkish nation for providing them with educational opportunities. Stating that they would always carry in their hearts the kindness of the Turkish people, who stood by them during their difficult times, Hac Musa wished that the love and brotherhood between the two peoples would endure forever. The young student also expressed her special thanks to the Syrian community in Gaziantep, the Bülbülzade Foundation, and the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality.HIGHLY ENJOYABLE TO WATCHThe program began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an and continued with a short film presenting the 5-week journey of the summer schools. Throughout the event, various groups took the stage and received great applause from the audience. The oratorios A Youth Speaks by Bilim-Der and The Pillars of Islam by Hayata Dokun Orphan Association, the Recycling Fashion Show and the musical The Ant Going on Pilgrimage presented by Bülbülzade Foundation students offered participants a visual feast. The songs performed by the children from the Nurdağı Children's Living Center and the performances by the students of the İslahiye Children's Living Center added a special color to the evening. The program also featured a zeybek folk dance performance, a piano recital, a rhythm ensemble performance, and taekwondo and sports demonstrations by the students of İstikrar Sports Club. The organization came to a joyful close with a commemorative group photograph taken with the participation of all the educators.

Students who successfully completed the Bülbülzade Foundation Summer Schools received their certificates at a ceremony.The summer school program organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation to contribute to the personal development and education of children concluded with a joyful certificate ceremony. Throughout the summer, children who participated in various activities, learning while having fun, experienced the well-deserved pride of successfully completing the educational program together with their friends and teachers. The excitement and happiness of the students as they received their certificates of achievement from their instructors were truly remarkable.THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM IN THE REGIONThe 2026 Summer Schools organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation together with dozens of partner organizations were held simultaneously between June 29 and July 31. In addition to the Bülbülzade Foundation headquarters in Gaziantep, summer schools were organized at the Anatolian Cultural Centers in Azaz, Al-Bab, Afrin, Jarabulus, and Aleppo in Syria; the Anatolian Cultural Centers in Gaziantep; the Hayata Dokun Orphan Association; Semt-i İbrahimli; Bilim-Der; Fidan-Der; Katre Art and Science Center; İstikrar Sports Club; Middle East Media Communication Center; and in the earthquake-affected regions of Nurdağı and İslahiye.CHILDREN ENJOYED A FULL AND PRODUCTIVE SUMMERThe summer schools offered educational modules for children aged 7–14, including the Holy Qur'an, Basic Religious Knowledge, Drama, STEAM Workshop, Digital Literacy, and English Speaking Through Games. Through sports and artistic activities such as swimming, karate, taekwondo, bağlama, guitar, violin, robotics coding, and painting, children both had fun and engaged in sports. In addition to the program, outdoor activities such as horseback riding, Science Center visits, Agro Park, clay workshops, and picnics were also included. The children enjoyed a full and productive summer season.INVITATION TO THE CLOSING PROGRAMThe Summer Schools organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation will conclude this evening with the Closing Program to be held at Şehitkamil Cultural Center. Let us come together this evening at 7:00 p.m. at Şehitkamil Cultural Center to share the joy of our children, who are the guarantee of our future, and to be part of their great excitement.

The second and final parent meeting, organized as part of the summer schools held under the umbrella of the Foundation to strengthen cooperation between educators and families, was successfully completed with strong participation.At the Bülbülzade Foundation Summer Schools, which approach education and personal development through a holistic perspective, the second parent meeting planned to reinforce coordination between families and educators was held. Organized at the Foundation’s headquarters, this final gathering became a productive platform where the achievements of the children throughout the summer period were evaluated. Parents and educators discussed the students’ intellectual, social, and moral development processes in detail and shared ideas that would enhance the effectiveness of the educational process.A MEANINGFUL VISIT FROM THE PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL EDUCATION, ATMACADr. Önder Atmaca, Provincial Director of National Education of Gaziantep, also attended this final meeting and came together with parents and educators. During his visit, Atmaca had a warm conversation with the participants and received comprehensive information about the activities carried out within the summer schools. Exchanging ideas with the educators, Dr. Önder Atmaca emphasized the importance of such qualified programs that contribute to the multidimensional development of children. Parents attending the meeting also expressed their satisfaction with the Provincial Director of National Education’s interest in the program and highlighted the value of institutional support in their children's educational journey.INVITATION TO THE CLOSING CEREMONYThe Summer Schools organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation will conclude this evening with the Closing Ceremony to be held at Şehitkamil Cultural Center.Let us come together this evening at 7:00 p.m. at Şehitkamil Cultural Center to share in the joy of our children, who are the guarantee of our future, and to celebrate their great excitement.

Dr. Önder Arpacı, Director of the Gaziantep Provincial Directorate of National Education, and the accompanying delegation visited the summer schools organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation and met with the students. Following the visit, a consultation meeting focused on education was held with the foundation's administration.The delegation, consisting of Dr. Önder Arpacı, Director of the Gaziantep Provincial Directorate of National Education, Deputy Director of Provincial National Education Tacim Durmuş, and Şahinbey District Director of National Education Eyüp Güneş, paid a special visit to the Bülbülzade Foundation's summer school activities. The delegation showed close interest in the children attending the summer schools organized within the scope of the foundation's education- and youth-oriented activities, participated in the students' activities, and shared in their enthusiasm. During this meaningful visit, the education administrators had extensive conversations with the children and took commemorative photographs to mark the day.COOPERATION BETWEEN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND CIVIL SOCIETYFollowing the warm gathering with the students in the field, an institutional meeting focused on education was held. Dr. Önder Arpacı and the accompanying education administrators met with Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir for a comprehensive evaluation meeting. During the meeting, the reflections of cooperation between public institutions and civil society organizations in the field were evaluated, while ideas were exchanged on the overall functioning of the summer schools and new visionary projects that would contribute to the children's multidimensional development.INTER-INSTITUTIONAL DIALOGUEThe support provided by the Bülbülzade Foundation for the academic, cultural, and social lives of children was welcomed with satisfaction by the representatives of the education community. The visit and the productive meeting were recorded as a strong step taken toward strengthening the culture of acting together in the field of education and enhancing inter-institutional dialogue.

A delegation from the Union of International Democrats (UID) visited the Bülbülzade Foundation. During the meeting, youth initiatives focused on Europe and Türkiye, as well as potential joint projects, were discussed.The delegation, led by UID President General Kemal Hasan Aslan, paid an official working visit to the Bülbülzade Foundation campus. The program, which also included Rhein-Neckar Regional President Sevgi Gocuk, Azerbaijan Regional President Cengiz Aygör, and organization members, provided an opportunity for the exchange of institutional experience. Hosted by Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir, the meeting addressed the ongoing activities carried out by both sides.NEW CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVITIESThe main agenda of the meeting held during the visit focused on youth education and new civil society activities that could be implemented in Europe. The meeting, where areas of potential cooperation were discussed in detail, was attended by the Foundation’s Post-Disaster Coordination Unit, Migration Coordination Unit, Secondary Education Unit, Education and Teachers Unit, and the Middle East Media and Communication Center. Representatives of the units briefed the delegation on their field activities.CULTURAL AND MEDIA ACTIVITIESFollowing the meetings, the UID delegation toured the facilities located on the Bülbülzade Foundation campus and observed the ongoing cultural and media activities on site. The delegation visited areas including the Katre Art and Science Center, İstikrar Sports Club, and the Middle East Media and Communication Center, gaining insight into their operations and ongoing projects. The program concluded with mutual wishes to further strengthen cooperation.