A delegation from the Bülbülzade Foundation paid a visit to Murat M. Onart, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Strasbourg, to exchange views on the Foundation’s ongoing international projects and civil society activities.As part of its France program, a delegation consisting of members of the Board of Directors of the Bülbülzade Foundation and Foundation volunteers visited the Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Strasbourg. Received by Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Strasbourg Murat M. Onart, the delegation delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Foundation’s current activities. During the meeting, detailed information was shared about the Bülbülzade Foundation’s education, youth, family, and volunteer-based initiatives, as well as the international projects it carries out on a global scale.INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION DISCUSSEDOne of the main agenda items of the meeting was the institutional cooperation developed with civil society organizations active across Europe. The meeting focused on expanding international activities for younger generations and on potential joint social and cultural projects that could be implemented in Strasbourg, and concluded with mutual expressions of goodwill. The visit laid an important foundation for future cooperation and initiatives.

The first parent meeting of the term was held at the summer schools operating under the Bülbülzade Foundation in order to evaluate students' developmental progress and strengthen cooperation with families.The comprehensive gathering, held at the Foundation's headquarters, was attended by the entire teaching staff serving in the summer schools as well as a large number of parents. During the meeting, which aimed to maximize children's educational processes and personal development, parents received detailed information about their children's progress throughout the term. In addition to the overall functioning of the summer schools, the pedagogical approaches supporting the children's intellectual, moral, and social development were shared with families.A HOLISTIC EDUCATIONAL APPROACH THAT STRENGTHENS MORAL BONDSDistinguished from other summer programs across Gaziantep by its rich content, the Bülbülzade Foundation Summer Schools aim not only to equip children with seasonal skills. The program is based on a holistic approach that centers on strengthening the individual's universal and moral bonds. Accordingly, children are provided with special educational modules focusing on their connection with the Creator, self-awareness, environmental consciousness, and empathy. Qur'an education, which forms the backbone of the program, is conducted using special methods tailored to the students' respective levels.THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY AND EDUCATOR COOPERATIONAddressing the parents during the meeting, Foundation Director Zeynel Kaplan emphasized the importance of supporting education within the family environment as well. Kaplan stated that parents' active participation in their children's intellectual and moral development directly affects the success of the educational process. Volunteer educator and Bülbülzade Foundation Summer Schools Coordinator Nesibe Çetinkaya informed parents about the interactive methods applied in the classrooms and the pedagogical approaches adopted in working with children. The first of two parent meetings planned for the summer term concluded following a mutual exchange of views between educators and families.MULTI-DIMENSIONAL INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATIONThe summer schools operating under the Bülbülzade Foundation offer a multi-dimensional structure coordinated through a broad network of affiliated units. The educational processes are carried out jointly by the Semt-i İbrahimli Association, Hayata Dokun Yetim Association, Middle East Media Communication Center, Anatolian Student Union, Education and Teachers Unit, Secondary Education Unit, BİLİMDER, and the Anatolian Cultural Centers operating under the Earthquake Region, Migration and Common Future Unit.

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.