The “Academic Panel on Child Rights” was organized by the Üsküdar University Department of Health, Culture and Sports (HCS) in collaboration with the Hold My Hand Club, Talent Awareness Club, Social Psychology Club, and the Center for Research and Practice for Gifted Children (ÖYEMER). The event explored the historical development of child rights, the importance of child-focused policies, children’s psychological protection needs, and the impacts of rights violations. Experts emphasized the contribution of safe and supportive environments to societal development and underlined adult responsibility in cases of neglect and abuse.
The program took place at the Üsküdar University Çarşı Campus Emirnebi Conference Hall with the participation of Halide İncekara (Advisor to the Rector and Director of ÖYEMER), Instructor Elif Konar Özkan (Assistant Director of ÖYEMER), Assistant Professor Fatma Turan (Coordinator of Positive Psychology), Ayşe Banu Güngenci (Secretary General of the Hold My Hand Association), and Psychologist İrem Su Yavuz.
Halide İncekara: “Child policies have become one of the most essential areas of focus”
Speaking at the program, Rector Advisor Halide İncekara explained that her interest in child rights arose from the awareness that negative outcomes often stem from a single root cause. She stated that, as an economist and business professional, she observed that the underlying issue behind many societal problems was how generations were raised, which led her to concentrate her efforts on generational development rather than gender.
Highlighting that a child holds rights from the moment they are conceived, İncekara added: “If a child grows up in a healthy, safe, and confidence-building environment, we will have better scriptwriters, politicians, bureaucrats, and academics.” She emphasized that, with this perspective, she has been actively involved in child policies since 2000, despite encountering obstacles and exclusion. Noting that children often remain absent from political agendas since they do not vote, she underlined that policy efforts must be directed toward these invisible and vulnerable individuals.
Assistant Professor Fatma Turan: “We believe we will reach many kind hearts”
Opening remarks were delivered by Assistant Professor Fatma Turan, Coordinator of Positive Psychology. Turan stated: “I would like to wholeheartedly thank Professor Halide for the invaluable contributions she has brought to our country and even to the world in the field of child rights. We believe we will reach many kind hearts, and we draw that energy from you. I hope we will achieve many meaningful works together.”
Instructor Elif Konar Özkan: “Adults are responsible for protecting child rights”
ÖYEMER Assistant Director Instructor Elif Konar Özkan highlighted the strong foundations of child rights within Turkish culture and noted that, throughout history, girls and boys were viewed as possessing equal rights.
She emphasized that a child is entrusted to the family and that adults are responsible for supporting their rights to development, participation, and talent cultivation. Özkan stated that the value placed on children has remained consistent from the Seljuk era through the Republic. She referred to a 1914 speech published in Musavver Hukuk-u Etfal, in which nine-year-old Ahmet Münir emphasized play, the right to speak, and respect, and noted that these themes remain relevant today. Özkan also reminded attendees that Atatürk strengthened this understanding through the establishment of the Himaye-i Etfal Society and the declaration of April 23 as Children’s Day.
She concluded by saying that child rights are not charity but universal rights and that adults bear responsibility for protecting children’s rights to life, development, and participation.
İrem Su Yavuz: “The more we protect them today, the safer tomorrow will be”
Psychologist İrem Su Yavuz explained why children’s psychology is so fragile, noting that trauma and rights violations keep a child’s nervous system in a constant state of alarm. This may result in freezing, nightmares, hypervigilance, and symptoms resembling post-traumatic stress disorder. Yavuz emphasized that since the amygdala develops earlier than the prefrontal cortex, every experience leaves a neurological imprint on the child. She stated that a child’s most fundamental need is safety. Highlighting that one of the most common forms of neglect today is unlimited screen exposure, she explained that lack of proper stimulation can negatively affect brain development and lead to developmental delays. She added: “A child may spit in your face while interacting with you. This is a behavior used to test trust.” She stressed that in cases of abuse and violence, when the caregiver becomes both the source of threat and safety, the child’s brain cannot process this contradiction. For this reason, she underlined the importance of kneeling down to the child’s eye level, avoiding blame, and conveying the message, “I am here to protect you.”
She noted that in situations of suspicion, reporting immediately without seeking evidence is sufficient. Yavuz concluded: “Children are the guarantee of our future. The more we protect them today, the safer tomorrow will be.”
Activities of the Hold My Hand Association presented
Secretary General Ayşe Banu Güngenci shared information about the association’s work, noting that since 2010 the organization has supported children who have experienced neglect and abuse, in cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Social Services. She also mentioned ongoing support for youth leaving institutional care and various social responsibility projects conducted throughout the year. The program concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation and a group photo session.
