Bülbülzade Foundation participated in the panel titled "Discussing the Return of Syrians Between Hope and Pessimism" held at Ege University, where it shared its extensive field experience in Syria and Gaziantep, its educational activities, and its vision regarding the psychological dimension of return.As part of World Refugee Day on June 20, Ege University hosted an important panel. Organized in cooperation with Bornova Youth Center, Ege University Institute of Turkic World Studies, the Youth Studies Center Association, and the İzmir International Student Association, the event addressed the topic "Discussing the Return of Syrians Between Hope and Pessimism." The opening speeches of the panel, held at the Meeting Hall of the Institute of Turkic World Studies, were delivered by Ege University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Boyacı, Director of the Institute of Turkic World Studies Prof. Dr. Atıf Akgün, and Vice President of the İzmir International Student Association and Board Member of the Youth Studies Center Association.EVERY PERSON'S STORY IS UNIQUEThe program, attended by expert academics, researchers, and representatives of civil society organizations, evaluated the return processes of Syrian refugees in light of academic studies and field experiences. During the panel, where voluntary return, integration processes, security conditions, and regional developments were discussed, the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in producing sustainable solutions was emphasized. Representing Bülbülzade Foundation at the program to present the foundation's migration studies and the activities of its cultural centers across Syria and Gaziantep, Şehadet Gerçek delivered a speech. Referring to the foundation's comprehensive migration efforts since 2011, Gerçek stated that they act in accordance with the principle, "Let people live so that humanity may live." She emphasized that they value every individual's story and strive to make these stories partners in solutions and hope.WE ARE TRYING TO TURN PAIN INTO HOPEAnnouncing that the Anatolian Cultural Centers established throughout Syria continue their activities in Aleppo following Azez, Afrin, Jarabulus, and Al-Bab, and that educational programs and activities will soon begin in Damascus, Gerçek continued her speech as follows: "This is like talking about flowers among the ruins, transformed by hope, culture, and art. We walk for kilometers and witness lives being transformed. From a 70-year-old woman learning Turkish to women attending handicraft classes stitch by stitch, we encounter countless stories that inspire hope for the future. We can think of our cultural centers as saplings through which culture, art, reading, and education are being revived for a society emerging from war. We are now preparing summer schools that will bring together students from the age of 5 to 70 across many different fields. Through ideas and art, we are striving to overcome difficult times and transform pain into hope."RETURN IS A NEW MIGRATIONStating that they continue to hold joint future meetings with Syrian opinion leaders without interruption, Gerçek emphasized the importance of ensuring that refugees remain engaged as active participants in the process and partners in the solution. Drawing attention to the psychological dimension of return, Gerçek said, "Return actually means migrating once again, and it requires serious psychological preparation. How many times can a person start life over in one lifetime? We also maintain contact with many of the families who have returned to Syria and continue our communication with them." Concluding her speech by emphasizing a shared past and a shared future, Gerçek said: "The stories of these lands did not begin recently; they began 100 years ago. Our shared story will continue for centuries. We will continue striving to make this story more beautiful and to bring our efforts together."The panel, which attracted great interest, concluded with a plaque presentation following the question-and-answer session in which participants' questions were answered.

Volunteers who came to Gaziantep under the European Solidarity Corps shared the richness of Middle Eastern and North African cultures, as well as their experiences in Gaziantep, on the "Youth Podcast" program broadcast on Fecr Radio.The ESC-51 project, carried out by the Science Education Culture Research Center (BEKAM) and supported by the Turkish National Agency, continues to strengthen young people's social awareness through international volunteering activities. Young volunteers who came to Gaziantep under the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) contribute to the activities carried out under the umbrella of the Bülbülzade Foundation while also having the opportunity to experience Turkish culture firsthand. As part of the project, Oussama Hannouch and Asrar Hantouli, two of the volunteers currently in the city, were guests on the "Youth Podcast" program broadcast on Fecr Radio. During the enjoyable conversation, the similarities and distinctive differences between the cultures of Morocco, Jordan, and Syria were discussed.EMPHASIS ON CULTURAL RICHNESSSupporting local activities in Gaziantep with their energy, the international guests spoke about the traditions, social life, and culinary cultures of their home countries during the program. Stating that the time they spent in Türkiye, and especially in Gaziantep, had given them a broader perspective, the young volunteers expressed that the activities they carried out within the foundation had strengthened their awareness of social solidarity. The broadcast also emphasized the cultural richness created by people from different regions coming together under the same roof.The ESC-51 project continues to contribute to the personal and professional development of young people while laying the groundwork for strengthening intercultural dialogue through the connections established between international volunteers and the local community.

Bülbülzade Foundation has published the "2026 Summer Schools Information Booklet" prepared to help children and young people spend their summer period productively. Registrations for the new term activities are continuing at full speed, and students are being welcomed with rich content.Bülbülzade Foundation has shared with the public its comprehensive summer program, designed to transform children’s and young people’s holiday periods into a process that is both enjoyable and contributes to their personal development. The main objective of this year’s summer schools is to provide students with practical religious knowledge while equipping them with lasting talents and new skills. At the center of the educational programs are deeply rooted principles that prioritize human-to-human, human-to-environment, and human-to-God relationships. Through these programs, it is aimed to strengthen young people’s social skills such as self-awareness, empathy, leadership, and teamwork. These seasonal activities, designed with a multifaceted structure ranging from workshops to nature camps, from sports activities to artistic education, support value-based thinking and the search for meaning, with the primary goal of raising young people with a sense of social responsibility.MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SUMMER EDUCATION PROGRAMS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTUREThe details of the programs feature a wide range of activities tailored to each age group. In secondary education and orphan association summer schools, practical courses such as the Holy Qur’an, principles of faith, the life of the Prophet, and etiquette are offered alongside drama, STEAM, robotics coding, horseback riding, archery, and swimming. At the Child Life Center summer schools established in Nurdağı and İslahiye for children affected by the earthquake, children are supported in overcoming trauma through mind games and sports activities, while artistic talents are developed in guitar, violin, piano, and painting branches within the Katre Art Center. At the Middle East Media Summer School, which is aimed at high school and university students, contemporary subjects such as digital media literacy, artificial intelligence, cyberbullying, and web design are taught by expert instructors. Meanwhile, the Anatolian Student Union organizes intellectual analysis programs, research techniques sessions, and social camp programs for university students. All of this structured content provides a foundation for children and young people to discover their potential.You can fill out the form to register for the Bülbülzade Foundation 2026 Summer Schools.

Abdulkadir Çay, General Manager of the Press Advertisement Agency, and the accompanying delegation visited Bülbülzade Foundation and received information about the regional and social projects being carried out.Abdulkadir Çay, General Manager of the Press Advertisement Agency (BİK), paid a visit to Bülbülzade Foundation as part of his institutional contacts. Accompanied by BİK Gaziantep Director Arda Aşkın and Corporate Communications Specialist Emre Tosun, the delegation discussed the field activities carried out under the umbrella of civil society at the foundation center, as well as opportunities for inter-institutional cooperation. During the visit, the humanitarian aid activities of Bülbülzade Foundation in the earthquake region, orphan support programs, and socio-cultural projects carried out in the field of migration were discussed in detail. An exchange of views was held on the social impact and sustainability of these activities in the field.JOINT PROJECTS WERE ON THE AGENDAOne of the important agenda items of the meeting was media and publishing activities. The foundation’s work in the field of press and information was examined, and emphasis was placed on developing joint projects and taking cooperation steps within the Media Academy. In addition, book publishing activities and Arabic literature studies carried out by the Anatolia Federation were shared, and the role of these activities in regional communication was evaluated.The visit concluded with mutual expressions of goodwill and an emphasis on strengthening the vision of cooperation.

The Bülbülzade Foundation delegation visited Nadi Al Muhafaza Sports Club in Damascus, Syria, and examined the joint project activities on site.Representatives of the Bülbülzade Foundation Board of Directors and Project Unit paid an official visit to Nadi Al Muhafaza Sports Club, which operates in Damascus, Syria. During the visit, the club's existing infrastructure was examined, and the field reflections of the ongoing projects were observed firsthand. The delegation met with young people participating in sports activities at the facility and had the opportunity to directly hear about the opportunities provided by the project and its practical outcomes in the field. In addition, during the technical meeting held with the club's management, efficiency reports of the ongoing activities were reviewed, and a consensus was reached on the work schedule for the upcoming period.NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND COOPERATION OPPORTUNITIESThe current status of the project implemented through the cooperation between the Traditional Sports Federation and the Bülbülzade Foundation was evaluated in detail. Within the framework of the project, which aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of the sports club in the fields of modern and traditional sports, delegation members received comprehensive information from the officials. During the visit, emphasis was placed on the contributions of the activities carried out to the physical and social development of young people. The discussions also addressed the sustainability of the project, as well as new joint initiatives and strategic cooperation opportunities that could be implemented in the future. Following a mutual exchange of ideas, the visit concluded with expressions of goodwill.

A comprehensive consultation meeting was organized with the participation of organization members operating under the umbrella of Bülbülzade Foundation. Representatives of various units gathered at the foundation center, evaluated the projects implemented in the recent period, and shared their plans regarding future activities.One of the main agenda items of the meeting was the Bülbülzade Foundation Charity Bazaar and Spring Festival, which was completed in recent days with intense participation and interest. During the meeting, all units made presentations about their activities, evaluating field reflections and the achievements obtained. Another important topic on which the units expressed a common opinion was the Summer Schools, which will open their doors next Monday. Organization members were informed about the preparation processes and curriculum details of the summer activities that will be organized under 23-24 different headings at more than 60 locations both domestically and abroad.WHAT IS PLANTED IN THE HEART NEVER DISAPPEARSFollowing the consultation meeting, Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir addressed the organization members and delivered an important speech on the humanitarian and intellectual dimensions of the work carried out under the foundation's umbrella. Emphasizing the themes of sacrifice, dedication, and winning hearts, Aldemir referred to the verses of Yunus Emre, saying: “We did not come for conflict / Our purpose is for love / The home of the beloved is hearts / We came to build hearts. This is the story of this foundation. How many hearts have we touched, how many hearts have we entered. What is planted in the heart never disappears.”WE ARE PEOPLE WHO CARRY A MESSAGEUnderlining the need to be cautious against the trends of individualization and ordinariness observed in society recently, Aldemir stated that individuals who undertake social responsibility should carry meaning and direction, saying: “For some time now, there has been a tendency toward selfishness. I will now become like ordinary people. I will eat, drink, travel, and share on social media. There is such an ordinariness. This is simplification and vulgarization. Dear friends, whether you are Muslim or not, if you aspire to a social duty, it means you have a message. If you have no message, your body and existence have no value. We are people who carry a message.”SUCCESS HAS BOTH A REWARD AND A TESTEmphasizing the unexpected turns of life and the importance of living without postponing time, Turgay Aldemir gave examples from the approaches of Ibn Khaldun and Mustafa Özel. Stating that people build their own character through what they do or fail to do in life, Aldemir argued that a renewal of mentality is needed. Pointing out that successes should not stop a person, he said: “If there is success, it has both a reward and a test. Success is like the landing of a staircase in an apartment building. If we sit there and explain how we climbed that floor, we remain there. At present, there is an incredible field of work before us in Türkiye and throughout the Islamic world,” emphasizing that greater importance should be given to intellectual efforts on a global scale.LET US ELEVATE OUR ACTIONS, NOT OUR VOICESStating that curriculum studies and international collaborations occupy an important place in the foundation’s future vision, Aldemir touched upon the work being carried out in fundamental areas such as children, family, and university. Drawing attention to three basic principles in foundation activities, Aldemir listed them as “intention, capability, and effort.” Referring to Ibn Khaldun’s concept of the “active intellect,” he stated: “Those who rescue nations from the constraints into which history has fallen are a small number of people possessing active intellect. They are those who unite reason with action and action with wisdom. In this period, our main task is not to raise our voices but to raise our actions.”WITNESS THE EFFORT OF A NEW GENERATIONAt the end of the meeting, Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir thanked all organization members who had worked with great dedication over the past year and called on all units to support and take ownership of the Summer Schools organization that will begin next week. In his closing remarks, Aldemir said: “My special request to you, friends, is this: the summer schools and summer activities will take place under approximately 23-24 headings at more than 60 locations, both domestically and abroad. Take part in them. This is not a task carried out by a group of educators alone. Support it, embrace it, trust it, see it, participate in it. Let us witness the efforts of a new generation, those lively children striving for the future.”