AİLEKOR Academy Aims to Be a Model for Turkey

An evaluation meeting was held within the scope of the “AİLEKOR Academy Social Innovation Model Project in the Axis of Positive Psychology,” planned to be developed in cooperation with Istanbul Governorship and Üsküdar University. At the meeting, which stood out as one of the strong examples of public, university, and civil society cooperation, sustainable models aimed at supporting children's psychosocial development, strengthening family ties, and increasing social solidarity were discussed.

The meeting held at Üsküdar University Central Campus Senate Hall was attended by President of Üsküdar University and Chairman of the Board of Governors Nevzat Tarhan, Istanbul Deputy Governor Dr. Serap Özmen Çetin, General Manager of Istanbul Children's Foundation Zuhal Akpınar, Director of Provincial Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundation Nihal Kara, EU and Foreign Relations Project Coordinator Fatih Kadir Mutlu, and academic and institutional stakeholders.

Also attending the meeting were Üsküdar University Rector's Advisor Prof. İsmail Barış, AİLEMER Director Asst. Prof. Mert Akcanbaş, Asst. Prof. Fatma Turan, ARGEYEP Director Assoc. Prof. Müge Ensari, HTED General Secretary Ayşe Banu Güngenci, and Üsküdar University Deputy Secretaries General Cumhur Bakır and Ayşe Öztürk. The moderation of the meeting was undertaken by Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordinator Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar.

Dr. Serap Özmen Çetin: “Children's multidimensional development should be supported”

Speaking at the meeting, Istanbul Deputy Governor Dr. Serap Özmen Çetin made evaluations about child-focused social support, education, protective, and preventive works carried out in cooperation with Istanbul Governorship and Istanbul Children's Foundation.

Çetin emphasized the importance of sustainable models that particularly support children's psychosocial development, strengthen family ties, and contribute to children's multidimensional development. Highlighting the importance of a holistic “Children's Academy” model that will support children's academic, social, psychological, and cultural development processes, Çetin stated the necessity of addressing children not only by their academic achievements but also by their emotional resilience, social skills, values, and life skills.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Positive psychology turns zero into a plus”

Tarhan stated that the main goal of positive psychology is to provide psychological resilience; “Classical psychology brings the negative to zero, while positive psychology turns zero into a plus. 'Well-being' studies are being conducted globally. Its equivalent in our culture is actually the concept of 'afiyet' (wellness/good health). In stress management, there are sponge-type, Teflon-type, and rubber-type personalities. The most important is to be rubber-type. A person bends under stress and recovers again. This is what we call psychological resilience.” he said.

“The aim of positive psychology is to provide psychological resilience to families”

Tarhan, emphasizing the need to strengthen the family structure, said; “The aim of positive psychology is to provide psychological resilience to families. For this, we want the 'Marriage Maturity Scale' to be applied before marriage. Because today, there are many young people who want to get married without marriage maturity. New realities brought by digitalization affect the family structure. We are currently going through a period called '4th Reality'. Physical reality, dream reality, sleep reality, and artificial intelligence reality… Artificial intelligence has blurred the boundaries of truths, identities, and relationships. This situation has also affected the family.”

“Digital screens should not be given until the age of 3”

Tarhan, drawing attention to the age of children's exposure to the digital world, said; “Parental education is essential. Digital screens should not be given to children until the age of 3, and after that, controlled use should be ensured for age-appropriate durations. Guidance counselors and class teachers in schools need to raise awareness among families. For this purpose, we prepared the book 'Science of Happiness and Values' with 20 psychologists. We then converted it into a supplementary textbook for 9th graders. Children need to be taught stress management, forgiveness, gratitude, and a sense of meaning. When a child achieves psychological resilience, they can say 'no' if someone offers them substances. Instead of just saying 'substances are bad,' positive reinforcement is needed.” he stated.

“Our children have become children of popular culture”

Tarhan, stating that children and young people are under the influence of popular culture, said; “Our children are no longer our children; they have become children of popular culture. It is time to explain our values to both families and children within a scientific methodology. A young person who came to the hospital had been talking to artificial intelligence for months; the AI told him 'go get that girl,' and the child entered AI psychosis. Cases of gender dysphoria have increased. We need to strengthen the family. When the family ecosystem collapses, society also collapses.”

A holistic family support model is aimed with AİLEKOR Academy

It was stated that AİLEKOR Academy, designed as a holistic family support model based on positive psychology, aims to strengthen intra-family communication, increase psychological resilience, reduce conflicts, and establish sustainable protective-preventive social support mechanisms.

It was stated that multi-dimensional studies are planned within the scope of the project, especially for families and children living in the Ümraniye pilot application area.

Main activity headings evaluated

Also at the meeting;

-    Establishment of AİLEKOR Academy in the Axis of Positive Psychology,
-    Preparation of applied education and awareness programs for families,
-    Execution of guide book studies,
-    Planning of special programs for World Family Day,
-    And the creation of a scalable social support model through public-university-NGO cooperation were discussed as main activity headings.

The AİLEKOR Academy Social Innovation Model aims to be an exemplary model for Turkey as a sustainable model that centers the family, strengthens social solidarity, and has a high social impact.