NGOs Signed a Project Protocol in the University…
The “NGOs at the University” Project Protocol signing ceremony was held in cooperation with Haydi Tut Elimi Derneği (Hold My Hand Association) which carries out its activities within Üsküdar University since 2010 and Amasya Associations Federation with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. At the ceremony, the importance of institutionalization of associations was emphasized.
At the protocol cooperation ceremony held at Üsküdar University Main Campus Senate Meeting Hall, the topics of "Civil Society Organizations Institutionalizing and Branding" and "Social Innovation Model in Civil Society" were discussed.
Those who attended the “NGOs at the University” Project Cooperation Protocol Signing Ceremony held under the moderatorship of Üsküdar University Young Brains Academy Director Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar are as follows; , Amasya Associations Federation (ADEF) Chairman Turan Sayar, ADEF Deputy Chairman Remzi Acar, Deputy Chairman Orhan Aydın, Deputy Chairman Özgür Polat, Deputy Chairman- Secretary General Salih Turgut, Deputy Chairman Accountant Turgay Ünsal, Zonguldak Associations Federation Chairman Ziya Öncan, Sakarya Associations Union President Yaşar Saka, Ali Özbek, Hold My Hand Association Secretary General Ayşe Banu Güngenci, Üsküdar University Secretary General Selçuk Uysaler, Head of Corporate Communications Department Tahsin Aksu and Event Manager Rasim Dağhan Işık.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Obe of the most important achievements of the 21st century is teamwork.”
President of Üsküdar University Prof. Nevzat Tarhan emphasized that social image is important for NGOs. Tarhan said, “University and NGO collaboration is important and it is something that a university should do. Surely joint actions are important. One of the most important achievements of the 21st century is teamwork. Otherwise, the goal cannot be reached. Normally, foundations are established to help, however in our case, it is as if they were established to collect benefit. You should not do anything that cannot be accounted for. If it is in an accountable situation, you should not be afraid anyway. Social image is important for NGOs. You definitely need to try and do new things. NGOs should care about innovation. Innovation is not to protect the present, but to break the shell, to be open to development.”.
“Social media is not harmful but it is a redundancy”
Highlighting that associationism is quite suitable for our psychological structure, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said, “We are a society with hyperactivity. Associationism is quite suitable for our psychological structure. We must not forget our own culture. It is important to work to keep our own values active. Ferhat and Şirin are important historical figures and names in the Amasya region. We cannot be universal without preserving our local values. When there is a problem, people see it as a bad thing, however, a problem is not a threat, it is also an opportunity. We must be a candidate for challenges. If perception management can be taught, social media becomes an opportunity. Social media has a very important place in institutionalization. I always say, 'Social media is not harmful but it is a redundancy.' If we use social media for a specific purpose, we will use it correctly. Anyone who already knows how to use it does not fall into the trap of social media. The younger generation is now more knowledgeable on this subject. They should say that I will manage this in my own time.”
Turan Sayar: “Associations should continue their work by institutionalizing”
Chairman of Amasya Associations Federation (ADEF) Turan Sayar mentioned the disappearance of associations in vicious conflicts related to individuals and said, “If the president is active, modernity continues, but if the president is not active, modernity does not continue. Assimilation is the most important point. Currently, there are 4 generations of young people in Istanbul. Young people lose their identity of Amasya over time. If we do not continue some things, the identity will be lost after the 3rd generation. There are two important points here. We will determine our projects according to the financial situation, then we get rid of addiction. The second important point is the absolute institutionalism. When we took over the association on December 26, 2021, our board of directors of 15 thousand people started to work. This project is kind of a start. Associations no longer need to organize picnics, festivities and nights as in the past, but now they need to institutionalize and continue the activities of the association. Associations disappear in vicious conflicts related to individuals.”.
Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar: “There is one association for each 687 people in Türkiye”
Üsküdar University Young Brains Academy Director Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar informed on the 'NGOs at the University' project. Yaşar said, “The aim of our project is to contribute to the formation of a civil society culture with NGOs with strong democracy, pluralism, tolerance, voluntarism, civic participation and citizenship awareness. There is one association for every 687 people in Türkiye. According to the data by the Ministry of Interior for January 2022, there are 122 thousand 203 associations in our country. 34.97 percent of associations in Türkiye are located in the Marmara Region. As of February 2022, there are a total of 361 public benefit associations. Istanbul has a population of approximately 16 million and there are 24 thousand 839 associations, which consists approximately 20 percent of all associations in Türkiye. Non-governmental organizations are one of the policy-making actors of the era of globalization. This importance is due to the fact that it is important in directing societies. For these very important organizations, there is a need for projects in the social innovation model, in which qualified studies will be carried out with an institutionalization and innovative perspective.”.
With the project the pilot implementation of the project will be implemented with the Amasya Associations Federation while it is aimed to strengthen the legal basis of NGOs in the development process of Türkiye, to increase their quality, to participate more in decision-making processes, to support the strengthening of their financial structure and human resources.
The ceremony ended with the signing ceremony and the presentation of the plaque, followed by a group photo shoot.
Prof. Tarhan presented his books to the participants after the ceremony.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)