Members of the Board of Directors of Bülbülzade Foundation represented our foundation by attending the 27th anniversary events of IFS EMMAUS held in Bosnia and Herzegovina.As part of its international collaborations, the Bülbülzade Foundation delegation paid an important visit to the city of Doboj in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Board members of our foundation, Mahmut Kaçmazer and Hamdi Keleş, participated in the 27th anniversary program held at the headquarters of IFS EMMAUS, one of the well-established civil society organizations in the region. This meaningful event was recorded as a reflection of the strong solidarity between the two institutions.SHARED VALUES AND FUTURE GOALSDuring the program, a special plaque was presented to our foundation in recognition of the work carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation and the partnership established. The plaque was personally presented to our Board members by the President of IFS EMMAUS, Hamzalija Okanovic. In the sincere meetings held, the shared values of the two institutions and their future goals were emphasized.As Bülbülzade Foundation, we hope that our comprehensive partnerships with IFS EMMAUS in the fields of youth, culture, and social services will continue to grow stronger. On this occasion, we extend our sincere thanks to the entire IFS EMMAUS family, in the person of its President Hamzalija Okanovic, for their kind hospitality in Bosnia and Herzegovina and for the meaningful plaque presented to our foundation.

Civil society organizations united under the umbrella of İDSB and TGTV, together with the field experience of Anadolu Federation and Bülbülzade Foundation, present a vision of transitioning “from humanitarian aid to human development” for the reconstruction of Syria.Anadolu Federation and Bülbülzade Foundation, along with a delegation from the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (İDSB) and the Turkish Voluntary Organizations Foundation (TGTV), conducted an extensive field visit covering the Syrian cities of Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, and Daraa. Following the visit, during a press conference held in Istanbul by İDSB Secretary General Eyüp Akbal, it was emphasized that activities in Syria have now moved from emergency humanitarian aid to a phase of production- and employment-oriented “sustainable development.”AKMs: The Heart of Social LifeBülbülzade Foundation, one of the leading organizations within Anadolu Federation, stands out as a key actor embodying this development vision on the ground. The Anadolu Cultural Centers (AKM), established under the foundation in Jarabulus, Al-Bab, Afrin, Azaz, and most recently Aleppo, have become central hubs for social rehabilitation in the region. Reaching tens of thousands of trainees through a wide range of programs from language education to technology, arts, and vocational training, these centers are rebuilding the social fabric destroyed by war through education and culture.Social ConsensusThe intellectual foundation of this process is rooted in the “Common Future Meetings” held in many cities across Türkiye since the early years of the war, continuing through the revolutionary period. Organized under the leadership of Anadolu Federation, these gatherings successfully brought together opinion leaders and social actors from the region, fostering a shared vision of resistance and reconstruction against multidimensional destruction. This deep-rooted tradition now serves as the main motivation behind the massive project portfolio worth 154 million dollars currently being implemented in Syria.A New Era: From Aid to DevelopmentIn this new phase, in which Anadolu Federation and Bülbülzade Foundation are key stakeholders, the goal is to move beyond emergency humanitarian assistance and adopt a “sustainable development” model focused on production and employment. The delegation, accompanied by Turgay Aldemir, met with the Syrian Ministries of Labor and Social Affairs, Endowments, and Disaster Management, as well as local governorships, to discuss solutions to housing, education, and healthcare crises.2027 GoalsOne of the most critical highlights of the press conference was the strategy to completely close all tent camps by the end of 2027 and enable approximately 1.2 million displaced people to return to their hometowns. In this context, it was announced that the total volume of projects prepared by İDSB member organizations has reached 154 million dollars. Anadolu Federation and Bülbülzade Foundation place the vision that lasting recovery in the region is only possible through the construction of a strong social structure at the center of this process.Türkiye’s Experience in Education and Urban PlanningThe fact that 7,000 schools across Syria require restoration and that 2 million children remain out of education has become a top priority for civil society. The delegation agreed on transferring Türkiye’s successful education models and its tradition of foundation-based civilization to the region. In addition to planned efforts on modern urbanism and smart cities with the technical support of Istanbul Technical University, a workshop is scheduled to be held in Aleppo in June.We extend our gratitude to all civil society organizations, as well as the İDSB and TGTV delegation, who contributed to this comprehensive field visit and future projection for their meaningful solidarity and shared will.Through joint commissions established with public institutions and local administrations in the region, Anadolu Federation and Bülbülzade Foundation will continue their efforts to transform Syria from merely a field of aid into a strong neighboring country that rises again through investment and production.

Within the scope of the Erasmus+ KA151 project organized in partnership with Bülbülzade Association and the Association of Serbia Turkey Alumni (ASMAT), a delegation from Serbia is coming together with public institutions and social service fields in Gaziantep.The Erasmus+ KA151 project, which aims to strengthen cooperation with public authorities in the field of youth, has been implemented under the partnership of Bülbülzade Association, operating under our Foundation, and the Association of Serbia Turkey Alumni (ASMAT). For the study visit titled “Institutional Cooperation and Social Impact Strategies in the Field of Youth,” supported by the Turkish National Agency, the delegation from Serbia is visiting our institution’s areas of work as well as various public institutions and social service units among our stakeholders. The delegation, which includes department heads from the Municipality of Novi Pazar, Serbia, is led by Nazım Licina, President of the Turkey Alumni Association. The program aims to produce sustainable social impact models by incorporating youth work into policy-making processes.WE MET AT KURTULUŞ FORESTThe first stage of the series of events began with a comprehensive nature walk and introductory program held in Kurtuluş Forest. On the first day of the project, the delegation from Serbia and local participants came together in the fresh air and had the opportunity to get acquainted. During the walk, which was organized to raise awareness about environmental protection, on-site technical information was shared about environmental efforts and afforestation projects carried out in the region. The program continued with an open-air lunch, where participants informally evaluated the strategic goals of the project and its potential impact on youth policies. This activity both strengthened communication among participants and emphasized the connection between social impact models and natural, local sustainability.SOCIAL SERVICE MODELS EXAMINEDThe delegation visited facilities such as the Barrier-Free Living Center, Family Academy, and Müzeyyen Erkul Science Center operating under Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, examining examples of best practices in Turkey. At the Müzeyyen Erkul Science Center, a detailed presentation was given about the center’s establishment purpose and ongoing technical projects. During the visit to the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Moral House, the center’s director informed the delegation about the services provided for the elderly, admission criteria, and ongoing activities.INSTITUTIONAL CONSULTATIONS HELDWithin the scope of the program, a visit was paid to Prof. Dr. Mustafa Özdal, Head of the Department of Education, Youth, and Sports of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. During the meeting, the municipality’s service capacity in youth and sports, the number of people reached, and the technical equipment used were shared. Additionally, the delegation held a consultation meeting with Umut Zeybek, Provincial Director of Family and Social Services. In this meeting, social service models of the two countries were discussed mutually. The efficiency of current practices and potential joint projects for the future were evaluated comprehensively.The program, which will continue throughout the week, will conclude after visits to the historical sites of the region.

Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, came together with students of Şehit Muhammed Emin Çelik Imam Hatip Secondary School and held an in-depth talk on the communication methods of the Prophet and human dignity.Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, was a guest at the seminar titled “Human and Communication from the Perspective of Our Prophet,” held at Şehit Muhammed Emin Çelik Imam Hatip Secondary School. In the program, which took place in the school’s conference hall with the participation of teachers and many students, Aldemir explained to the youth communication examples from the life of the Prophet that shed light on today. In the seminar, which focused on the nature of the bond a person establishes both with oneself and with the environment, the impact of correct communication on social peace and its role in the construction of personality were discussed comprehensively. During the meeting, which was followed with interest by the students filling the hall, Aldemir drew attention to the solutions offered by the Prophetic method against the communication problems of the modern age.A REPRESENTATION CRISIS IS BEING EXPERIENCEDSharing his excitement about meeting with the youth, Aldemir pointed out the importance of the values represented by the Prophet in today’s world. Stating that the lack of these values lies at the root of many crises in the modern world, Aldemir said, “The value of something is understood in the void created by its absence. The deficiency of the intention that the Prophet brought to humanity appears before us today as a crisis of representation.”In his speech, Aldemir established a meaningful connection between human dignity and the spinal cord, which enables physical uprightness. Emphasizing that protecting human character is vital, he said, “Honor is what the spinal cord is. The spinal cord forms the backbone of a person. Honor is related to a person’s character. Harming the honor of people whose dignity has been hurt and whose voices have not been heard is like damaging their spinal cord.”IT IS TIME TO ELEVATE THE WORDIn the seminar, examples were given from the Prophet’s eye-level communication with children and the compassion he showed to other living beings. Stating that real communication is the ability to hear the weakest voices, Aldemir said, “Communication is hearing the weak voices. Today is the time to elevate not the voice, but the word.” Giving advice to students on reading discipline, Aldemir stated that an individual with a rich conceptual world will stand more firmly in life. Recalling the “cat’s eye” analogy of the late thinker Alev Alatlı, Aldemir said, “Reading is to have concepts. If you have many words, those words guide you like cat’s eyes while walking on a dark road. If you do not read, you become the object of others’ ideas.”At the end of the program, School Principal Ömer Arslan thanked Turgay Aldemir for his visit to the school and for the valuable information he shared, and presented him with a gift.

A delegation consisting of board members and university students from the Diriliş Association, which carries out humanitarian aid and educational activities in Kilis, visited the units of Bülbülzade Foundation in Gaziantep and examined the ongoing activities on-site.The Kilis Diriliş Association, one of the member associations of the Anatolian Federation, paid a visit to Bülbülzade Foundation on Saturday with a large delegation. During the visit, which included board members of the association and university students, detailed information was shared about the institutional experience and fields of work of the foundation. As part of the program, the social and cultural areas located within the foundation campus were toured one by one. During the visit, the delegation also attended as observers the workshop activities of the Children’s Workshop, organized for the third time by the Education Teachers Unit, gaining a different and instructive experience in terms of civil society work.SCIENCE AND ART ACTIVITIES WERE EXAMINEDThe main stop of the visit was the Katre Art and Science Center. Here, the delegation had the opportunity to closely observe the artistic education and scientific workshop activities carried out. In the later part of the visit, the delegation and foundation representatives came together in the meeting hall. In this section, a comprehensive presentation covering the general activities of the Bülbülzade Foundation was delivered. During the meeting, where mutual exchange of ideas took place, emphasis was placed on strengthening the civil society network between Kilis and Gaziantep. The visit concluded with the hope of developing joint projects.

Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Head of the Department of Education, Youth and Sports, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Özdal, visited our foundation and examined the ongoing youth projects and educational activities on site.Bülbülzade Foundation continues to share its multidimensional efforts aimed at youth development with local administrations. During his visit to the foundation center, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Özdal received comprehensive information about the projects being carried out. During the consultations held within the scope of the visit, potential areas of joint work to increase young people's participation in social life were evaluated.INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MOBILITYVolunteer projects, youth mobility programs, and the activities of the Anatolian Student Union operating within our foundation were presented to Özdal. Emphasis was placed on the contributions of the Secondary Education and Teacher Training units to the academic and personal development of young people. Examples were provided to illustrate how the activities carried out by these units mobilize the youth potential in the field.THE CENTER OF ART, MEDIA, AND SPORTSA detailed presentation was made about the workshops and ongoing courses within the Katre Art and Science Center. The sectoral experience offered to young people by the Media Academy organized by the Middle East Media Communication Center and the athlete training processes of the İstikrar Sports Club were also among the prominent topics of the visit. These efforts, which consider physical and mental development as a whole, revealed the foundation’s multidimensional service approach.THE PRINCIPLE OF “REFORMING THE GENERATION, DEVELOPING THE EARTH”The principle of “Reforming the generation, developing the earth,” which lies at the center of all activities, was emphasized as the main source of motivation for the projects. Our foundation positions youth not merely as an age group, but as the main actor in building the future. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Özdal expressed his appreciation for these comprehensive efforts and highlighted the importance of cooperation in youth services.