Date: November 16, 2024
Venue: Online Platform
Organizers: Equality World Association and Bareen Initiative for Development
Participants: Founders of Equality World Association, Mohammad Nasir Saleh, founder of Bareen Initiative for Development, other volunteers, and speakers.
Seminar Report
1. Opening Speech: Sühendan Vaizoğlu
Sühendan Vaizoğlu, one of the founding members of Equality World Association, shared the story and mission of the association as follows:
– Equality World Association was established by 7 volunteers in Esenyurt in July 2024.
– The association aims to identify and address the social, economic, and cultural problems faced by women, youth, children, and disadvantaged groups.
– Its main goals include promoting gender equality, empowering individuals and communities, providing assistance to those affected by natural and human-made crises, and developing both local and international projects accordingly.
– She said that she was planning to do volunteer activities at Fenerbahçe Sports Club.
2. Speech by Hayide Işıl: Volunteer Activities
Hayide Işıl discussed the volunteer activities carried out by the association for Afghan children and women in Turkey. These activities are conducted in collaboration between Turkish and migrant women:
– Educational Activities:
– Mathematics and English Lessons: Lessons for Afghan children are conducted in cooperation with Marmara University senior students.
– Turkish Lessons: Turkish lessons are organized for Afghan women to help them overcome language barriers in daily life and professional environments.
– Handicraft Activities:
– Volunteer Müzeyyen Tepret organizes handicraft courses for women, helping them improve their skills and gain economic independence.
– Children’s Activities:
– Various games and entertainment activities are organized to enhance children’s social skills.
These activities aim to touch the lives of Afghan women and children while fostering the spirit of volunteerism among association members.
3. Speech by Ahmet Aoudi: Personal Volunteer Experiences
Ahmet Aoudi, a Palestinian volunteer, shared the following details:
– Ahmet is a computer and software engineering student living in Turkey.
– He provides translation assistance to those who do not speak Turkish.
– He expressed his desire to continue helping more people in the future.
4. Speech by Buğra Gülte: Volunteering and Project Experiences
Buğra Gülte, one of the founding members of Equality World Association, introduced himself and his volunteering activities:
– He is a student in the Recreation Management Department of Gazi University’s Tourism Faculty.
– He is actively involved in European Union projects as a volunteer.
5. Speech by Mohammad Nasir Saleh: Bareen Initiative for Development
Mohammad Nasir Saleh, founder of Bareen Initiative for Development, shared the activities and future plans of the association:
– Introduction to BID: The initiative focuses on projects aimed at improving the language skills, social integration, and personal development of young people.
– Workshop Activities: Various workshops are organized to support language development, social integration, and addressing social challenges.
– Research and Strategy: Efforts are made to research social challenges faced by youth and propose solutions.
6. Evaluation and Conclusion
This seminar marked an important step as one of the first collaborative events between Equality World Association and Bareen Initiative for Development. Speakers and volunteers not only shared their individual work but also demonstrated how a network of solidarity could be created on local and international levels.
Key Points from the Seminar:
– Merging Local and Global Perspectives: The seminar highlighted diversity as a strength by bringing together participants from different cultures and backgrounds.
– Social Impact of Volunteering: It was emphasized that volunteer work directly impacts individuals’ lives by helping them overcome social, economic, and cultural barriers, especially in the educational and handicraft activities for Afghan women and children.
– Importance of Women and Children-Centered Work: Activities aimed at women and children play a critical role in strengthening the core dynamics of society.
– Investing in Youth: The workshops and language development projects aimed at youth were acknowledged as significant contributions to their social integration and personal growth.
– Solidarity and Networking: The seminar underscored the potential of civil society organizations to make a greater impact through collaboration, laying the groundwork for more joint projects in the future.
Results and Future Plans:
Participants agreed on the need to make volunteer work sustainable and increase its impact. They emphasized the importance of more collaboration and networking efforts to enhance social benefit.
This event served as an inspiring example of how local community activities can be expanded with international perspectives. Establishing a long-term partnership between Equality World Association and Bareen Initiative for Development could open new opportunities for disadvantaged groups both locally and globally.
Acknowledgment to Contributors:
The success of the seminar was attributed to the dedicated efforts of speakers, volunteers, and organizers. These efforts were highlighted as an important step towards building a fairer and more equal world.
Source : https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GAm9vaMc9/?mibextid=RUbZ1f