Supported by the Directorate General of Civil Society Relations under the Ministry of Interior, coordinated by the Istanbul Governorship, conducted with the scientific consultancy of Üsküdar University, and implemented by the Federation of Kastamonu Associations, the From Shadow to Light Project marked an important milestone by strengthening young people’s interaction with the business world. The project stood out as a model that helps youth discover their potential and participate actively in social innovation processes.
As part of the project, the event Youth Meet Business Leaders was held at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO). During the gathering, ITO President Şekip Avdagiç, Assembly President Dr. Erhan Erken, businessman İshak Koçoğlu, and Dr. Nebiye Yaşar, Director of the Young Minds Academy and Social Contribution Coordinator at Üsküdar University, came together with young people to exchange ideas on career development, entrepreneurship, and social contribution.
Şekip Avdagiç: “The energy of young minds shapes the world”
Addressing the participants, ITO Chairman Şekip Avdagiç emphasized that Istanbul is the heart of Türkiye’s economy. “Istanbul is the capital of trade, innovation, and cultural richness. This city grows, renews, and influences the world through the energy of its young minds. Being here with young people today gives us both hope and responsibility for the future. When the vision of youth meets our experience, it creates a synergy that drives not only economic but also social transformation. The From Shadow to Light Project is a meaningful example of this,” he said.
Dr. Erhan Erken: “Every generation brings a new perspective”
Taking a personal interest in engaging with the youth, ITO Assembly President Dr. Erhan Erken highlighted the value of connecting young people with the business world for institutional renewal. “Every generation brings new perspectives and energy. As the ITO Assembly, we believe in learning from young people’s ideas and drawing strength from their energy. Dialogue with youth ensures institutional continuity and accelerates societal progress. Projects that support young people’s creative thinking contribute to both the academic and economic ecosystem. The From Shadow to Light Project serves as a strong model in this sense,” he said.
İshak Koçoğlu: “There is a light within every young person”
As one of the project’s advisors, ITO Assembly Member and businessman İshak Koçoğlu underlined the need for greater youth participation in decision-making processes. “Commerce and production grow not only with capital but with vision. It is the youth who will keep that vision alive. Their ideas must resonate in assemblies, management boards, and committees, because young people are not just our future, and they are the driving force of today’s change. There is a light within every young person and making that light visible is both our social and human responsibility,” he said.
Dr. Nebiye Yaşar: “Change is a two-way process”
Dr. Nebiye Yaşar, Director of the Young Minds Academy and Social Contribution Coordinator at Üsküdar University, who provides scientific guidance for the project, outlined its goals: “The From Shadow to Light Project aims to help young people recognize their potential, become productive individuals, and express themselves in an environment where experience and science intersect. In this project, it is not only young people who learn, but the business world learns as well, because change is a two-way process.”
Dr. Yaşar also emphasized that the project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and encourages young people to take an active role in social entrepreneurship, innovation, and volunteerism.
Encouraging youth participation in social innovation
Throughout the event, young participants had the opportunity to present their projects, exchange ideas with business leaders, and establish mentoring relationships.
The From Shadow to Light Project stands out as a model initiative that supports the active involvement of young people in social innovation processes across Türkiye, in line with the Ministry of Interior’s youth and civic engagement policies.