Within the scope of Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Mobility project supported by the Turkish National Agency and implemented by Bülbülzade Association, “Resilient Youth: Active Citizenship in the Digital Age” activity started in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event was hosted by MFS Emmaus and included 41 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey.An opening ceremony was held on the first day of the program. After the introduction of MFS Emmaus and Bülbülzade Association, Fazila Efendić, leader of the Srebrenica Mothers Movement, discussed the struggle for justice and human rights of the martyr mothers of Srebrenica within the framework of active citizenship. The opening was also attended by the staff of the host MFS Emmaus.The second day started with a city tour of Srebrenica. Participants had the opportunity to get to know the historical and cultural richness of the city. At the end of the day, the young people visited the mothers of the martyrs who lost their children and relatives in the genocide and listened to their stories and witnessed the traces of the genocide that took place in Srebrenica in front of the eyes of the whole world and the struggle for justice in which the mothers took an active role.On the third day, the participants visited the Srebrenica martyrdom and commemorated the victims of the genocide. Afterwards, the museum about the Srebrenica Massacre was visited. In the evening program, thematic group workshops and film screenings were organized.On the fourth day, the participants volunteered at the youth center built by MFS Emmaus Association. In the evening program, young people participated in a handicraft workshop and took part in wood painting activity.Until January 28, the project will include workshops and trainings on digital age and active citizenship, as well as cultural trips to different cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the end of the activity, all participants will be presented with a YouthPass certificate documenting their achievements.

A discussion meeting was held at the Aleppo Liaison Office, which was recently opened by Bülbülzade Foundation, with the participation of Turgay Aldemir, President of Anatolian Federation, Mustafa El Hüseyin, President of Gaziantep Syrian Community and local opinion leaders.Opinion leaders from different regions of Aleppo participated in the meeting and expressed their expectations for the new era in Syria, their suggestions for solutions and their views on the projects that should be implemented in the region. The participants emphasized that the new administration should act with an inclusive and unifying approach to all ethnic groups.The meeting was attended by representatives of Muslim, Christian, Armenian and Circassian communities. This created an atmosphere of solidarity representing the multicultural nature of Aleppo and the different segments of society.During the meetings, participants were provided with detailed information on the projects planned in the region through the Aleppo Liaison Office. Participants stated that these projects should be implemented in accordance with the needs of the local people and the social fabric of the region.The meeting was considered as an important step in terms of laying the foundation for the work to be carried out in line with the goals of peace, unity and development in Aleppo.

A delegation consisting of Turgay Aldemir, President of Anatolian Federation, Cemal Akıncı, Foreign Relations Officer, Mustafa El Hüseyin, President of Gaziantep Syrian Community and Adem Er, Secretary General of Bülbülzade Foundation, visited Burhan Köroğlu, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Damascus.During the visit, discussions were held on the new situation in Syria. Information was given about the Anatolian Cultural Centers, Common Future Meetings, Civil Communication and Coordination Meetings and Aleppo Liaison and Consultancy Office that Bülbülzade Foundation has carried out so far on Syria and migration issues.In addition, opinions were exchanged on the projects planned to be realized in Syria in the new period. In this context, detailed information was provided on the Anatolian Cultural Center project planned to be opened in Aleppo, the radio station planned to be established in Aleppo and other activities to be carried out in Aleppo center.

Turgay Aldemir, President of the Anatolian Federation, Mustafa Hüseyin, President of Gaziantep Syrian Community and Adem Er, Secretary General of Bülbülzade Foundation visited the Damascus office of the International White Helmets Association.During the visit, the current situation in Syria was discussed and extensive negotiations were held. Detailed information was given about the Anatolian Cultural Centers, Common Future Meetings, Civil Communication and Coordination Meetings, Aleppo Liaison and Consultancy Office, which Bülbülzade Foundation has carried out so far on Syria and migration issues. In addition, ideas were exchanged on the projects planned to be realized in Syria in the new period.At the end of the visit, the works and reports in Arabic published by the federation were presented by Turgay Aldemir, President of the Anatolian Federation, to Raid Salihi, Director of the International White Helmets Association.

Turgay Aldemir, President of Anatolian Federation, Mustafa Hüseyin, President of Gaziantep Syrian Community and Adem Er, Secretary General of Bülbülzade Foundation visited Ibrahim Baraa, Provincial Director of Culture of Aleppo, in his office.During the visit, discussions were held about the new situation in Syria. Detailed information was given about the Anatolian Cultural Centers, Common Future Meetings, Civil Communication and Coordination Meetings and Aleppo Liaison and Consultancy Office that Bülbülzade Foundation has carried out so far on Syria and migration issues. In addition, ideas were exchanged on the projects planned to be realized in Syria in the new period.In particular, consultations were held on the Aleppo Anatolian Cultural Center project planned to be opened in Aleppo and the location of the center.At the end of the visit, the Arabic works and reports published by the federation were presented to İbrahim Baraa by Turgay Aldemir, President of the Anatolian Federation. The visit ended after the collective photo shoot.

A delegation consisting of Turgay Aldemir, President of the Anatolian Federation, Cemal Akıncı, Foreign Relations Officer, Mustafa El Hüseyin, President of Gaziantep Syrian Community, Adem Er, Secretary General of Bülbülzade Foundation and Zeynel Kaplan, Director of the Foundation, visited Sednaya Prisons where great atrocities took place during the regime period.Turgay Aldemir gave an interview during the visit and made the following statements:“We are witnessing here how humanity is over, how man oppresses man. Many lives were extinguished in this prison, many people suffered unspeakable pain. Although we cannot see them right now, it is possible to feel them. May Allah never give these oppressors a chance again. May He not allow us to act with weakness and sentimentality that will lead to such atrocities. If even a single person is under oppression somewhere in the world, none of us can be completely free. That is why we are here and witnessing these sufferings. May God never let humanity experience such atrocities again.”Mustafa El Hussein, President of Gaziantep Syrian Community, said the following in his interview:“This persecution has been going on in Syria since the 1980s. Today, we came here together with Turkish non-governmental organizations and especially with the Bülbülzade Foundation and witnessed these sufferings. We had heard about these persecutions in Sednaya before, but it is a very different experience to be here and see them up close. Assad's era is now over. We are liberated. I hope that this kind of suffering will not happen in other places and will be a lesson for all humanity.”During the visit, the delegation witnessed the dark past of Sednaya Prisons and conveyed their messages with a great sense of responsibility for humanity.After the visit to Sednaya Prisons, the delegation went to the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and had a conversation with the sheikh of the mosque, Muhammad Wafaz Nimr. In Damascus, the tomb of Saladin Ayyubi, the tomb of Turkish pilots and the mausoleum of Hazrat Hussein were also visited. The Grand Bazaar of Damascus and the Damascus Castle were also included in the trip. Finally, the tour of the region was completed by climbing Mount Kasyun.

The “Cleaning Damascus” program, jointly organized by Turkish and Syrian non-governmental organizations, kicked off with an event in the city square.Maher Marwan Alidil, Governor of Damascus, Turgay Aldemir, President of the Anatolian Federation, Mohammad Basel Kirshanu, Director of the White Helmets Association, Mustafa Al Hussein, President of the Syrian Community in Gaziantep, and artist Salih Al Hatip attended the opening of the event.In the speeches made within the scope of the program, Turgay Aldemir, President of the Anatolian Federation, made the following statements:“I bring the greetings of the Anatolian people of Turkey to the free people of Damascus. Together, for 14 years, we have endeavored to stand by your side for the fall of the Baath regime. We will continue to stand by Damascus and Syria today and tomorrow as we did yesterday.”Within the framework of the program, comprehensive cleaning works are being carried out in Damascus Governorate, Damascus University, Umayyad Square, Damascus Umayyad Mosque, sidewalks, parks, streets and many other points.University and high school students, as well as adults, are actively participating in the event, which aims to restore the city to a hopeful color.During the week-long cleaning campaign, work will continue in different parts of Damascus. This step to restore the city to its former glory has received great support from both participants and the public.

The Computer Laboratory and Study Center organized by Bülbülzade Foundation and Süreyya Association was opened in Nurdağı Nur 1-C Container City. The opening program was attended by the President of Bülbülzade Foundation Turgay Aldemir, Bülbülzade Foundation Earthquake Region Coordinator Zemzem Çetin, Bülbülzade Foundation members and volunteers, Süreyya Association Board Member Ayşegül Karasu, Süreyya Association members and volunteers, Nurdağı District Director of National Education Musa Yıldırım, local residents and children.The opening program started with greeting speeches and various children's games. After the opening speeches of the protocol members participating in the program, the opening ribbon was cut.The Study Center and Computer Laboratory, furnished by Süreyya Association, will contribute to the education of young people living in Container City and support them to step into a brighter future. In addition to enabling students to study individually, one-to-one online lessons will be given by university students on a voluntary basis.We would like to thank all our members and volunteers who contributed to the opening of the Study Center and Computer Lab.

Aleppo Liaison and Consultancy Office, which was recently opened by Bülbülzade Foundation, hosted an important meeting. The meeting was attended by opinion leaders, business people, representatives of non-governmental organizations and artists who recently returned to the region.During the meeting, the new period in Syria was evaluated and the purpose of the office's establishment and cooperation in the region were discussed. A comprehensive exchange of ideas was held on the projects planned to be realized in and around Aleppo.Among the projects discussed were cultural centers, orphan centers, radio and media trainings, youth and nature camps, and libraries. These projects are expected to make significant contributions to the social and cultural life of the region.The meeting ended with music performed by the artists participating in the program.

Mehmet Ali Arayıcı, President of Sağlık-Sen, visited our foundation. During the visit, information was shared about the activities carried out by our foundation. In particular, information was provided about the recently opened Aleppo Liaison and Consultancy Office.At the end of the visit, a gift was presented by the President of Sağlık-Sen.

Bülbülzade Foundation continues to sign cooperation protocols with different institutions to support its national and international activities. In this context, a new protocol was signed with Şanlıurfa-based Al Furat Social Assistance and Solidarity Association.The protocol was organized to realize educational, cultural, artistic and social activities in Turkey and Syria. With this cooperation, it is aimed to develop and implement projects to meet the needs in the region.

Abdurrahman El Cerman, the representative of Kuwait-based international Cemiyet-i Hayır El İnsaniye Association, and Ali Abdulhay, the representative of Şanlıurfa-based Zemzem Association, visited our foundation and met with our Foundation President Turgay Aldemir, President of El Rahma Association Cemal Akıncı and President of BEKAM Association Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu.During the visit, information was shared about the work carried out by Bülbülzade Foundation on migration and safe zones so far. In addition, the current situation in Syria was evaluated and consultations were held on new projects that can be done in the region.