Civil Society Organizations met in Üsküdar on World NGO Day under the consultancy of Üsküdar Üniversitesi. The meeting, attended by hundreds of NGO members from 81 provinces, was held with the support of the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations of the Ministry of Interior, under the auspices of the Istanbul Governorship, and hosted by Üsküdar Municipality. NGO representatives, who came together in cooperation with Haydi Tut Elimi Association, Amasya Associations Federation, and Black Sea Civil Society Organizations, enthusiastically celebrated February 27, World Civil Society Organizations (NGOs) Day.
During the meeting held at the Üsküdar Bağlarbaşı Congress and Culture Center, the music choir of Istanbul University Itri Fine Arts High School, consisting of young people, also took the stage.
Üsküdar NGO Academy opened…
During the program, the 'Üsküdar NGO Academy' was opened with the support of the Ministry of Interior's General Directorate of Civil Society Relations and under the consultancy of Üsküdar Üniversitesi.
The Üsküdar NGO Academy, established for the first time in Turkey for the institutionalization and branding of associations, was inaugurated with the participation of Istanbul Mayoral Candidate Murat Kurum, Üsküdar Mayor Hilmi Türkmen, Darülaceze President Hamza Cebeci, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rectorate Project Development Director Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar, Haydi Tut Elimi Board Members Ayşe Banu Güngenci, Ayşegül Şekli, Serpil Tarhan, and KASTOB Board Chairman Nevzat Duyar and Board Members, along with 24 federation presidents and KASTOB Angels of the Earth.
The participants cut the opening ribbon together.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “This project will be a leaven”
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar Üniversitesi and President of Haydi Tut Elimi Association, also participated in the program, which was attended by hundreds of civil society organization representatives and members, with a video message he sent. Tarhan emphasized that the project would be a leaven, stating, “This is also what Turkey needs. Without warm relations between people, without unity, how strong a voice can we raise against the world? There can be no unity outside without unity inside. This project will be a leaven. More beautiful projects will follow. It is valuable that the Ministry of Interior has embraced this project. As a university, we will carry out the project in accordance with the project cycle. In an open and transparent manner. It will be a one-year project. At the end of the project, we want to create a brand. NGOs will not only provide services but will also be given pioneering, value-producing, and advocacy roles. NGOs will become a brand and set an example for Turkey.”
Tarhan also noted that associations have great duties for social peace and added that NGOs are proceeding with scientific rigor in line with their philosophy.
With the support of national and international civil society organizations, this program raised awareness in society while reinforcing the spirit of cooperation and solidarity. This program aimed to expand the cooperation and partnership network of civil society organizations, share resources, and combine their strengths to achieve common goals. Participants drew inspiration from each other to develop more effective and sustainable projects in the future and emphasized the power of collective efforts.
World NGO Day and the Meeting of Civil Organizations encourages amplifying the voice of civil society, being a catalyst for social change, and working together for a more just and sustainable world. With this program, civil society organizations took a promising step towards a future of solidarity by emphasizing the importance of civil society at a global level.