At the press conference organized by the Bülbülzade Foundation, its regional and international vision was shared, drawing attention to civil diplomacy and sustainable projects.
Regional representatives of the local and national press gathered at the Bülbülzade Foundation. A comprehensive briefing was provided on the Foundation's extensive activities carried out from its headquarters in Gaziantep. During the meeting, which attracted significant interest from members of the press, the details of the "new generation foundation" model, which goes beyond the traditional understanding of charitable assistance, were shared. Bülbülzade Foundation President Turgay Aldemir presented journalists with projects implemented in many fields, ranging from education and civil diplomacy to ecological initiatives and international cultural centers.
THIS IS THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE WE LIVE IN
Turgay Aldemir emphasized the Foundation's work on international student mobility, describing it as a form of cultural diplomacy. Stating that an average of 650 young people come to the region from abroad every year and are also sent from here to the Balkans and Europe, Aldemir said, "This is actually a complete example of civil diplomacy. The well-established concepts developed through the world's existing accumulation are no longer sufficient to define this era. This is the spirit of the age; this is the spirit of our time." Aldemir also noted that young people from many different countries, from France to Azerbaijan, actively take part in workshops and aid stores in the earthquake-affected region.
Emphasizing that the concept of foundation work should not be limited solely to distributing food or financial aid, President Aldemir highlighted the importance of intellectual development and education. Aldemir said, "In our country, foundation work has generally focused on distributing aid. However, ideas, thought, books, and education are extremely important... From this perspective, we aim to determine how we can position and strengthen this new generation foundation model in line with Türkiye's new vision."
WE ARE A FOUNDATION THAT PRODUCES ITS OWN ENERGY
Another important topic highlighted during the meeting was ecological projects and sustainability. Providing information about the Kurtuluş Forest project implemented on the Kahramanmaraş–Gaziantep border, Aldemir explained that thousands of truckloads of stones had been removed from a 250-decare volcanic area and that 35,000 trees had been planted. Stating that the project was carried out entirely through independent resources, Aldemir emphasized the importance of protecting nature and the land. Adding that the Foundation generates its own energy through solar panels, the President said, "We produce our own energy. We generate more than we consume, and the surplus becomes additional income."
WE HAVE ONE THOUSAND STUDENTS IN ALEPPO
President Aldemir also touched upon the cultural restoration and educational activities carried out in Syria, stating that they had restored a historic stone mansion in Aleppo and transformed it into a large cultural center. Noting that one thousand people receive education at the Aleppo Anatolian Cultural Center, Aldemir said, "Here we provide education in fields ranging from Turkish and Arabic to psychosocial support, human rights, and vocational training. This center has an advisory council. It consists of people from different religions, and we preserve that diversity."
