Üsküdar University, in collaboration with Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality, Kılavuz Gençlik Academy, and Genç Beyinler Academy, held the “Workshop on Solutions to New Generation Youth Problems with Social Innovation” during Youth Week, attracting significant interest from young people. The workshop featured applied sessions on multidisciplinary teamwork, problem analysis with innovative methods, project cycle management processes, impact-based social entrepreneurship models, social benefit for community contribution, and mentoring support. During the workshop, ‘New Generation Youth Problems,’ for which innovative solutions were produced, were addressed.
90 young participants from different provinces of Turkey, studying at universities in Kocaeli, joined the workshop.
The workshop was conducted under the moderation of Dr. Nebiye Yaşar, Coordinator of Social Contribution at Üsküdar University, and Dr. Ayhan Özşahin, Head of the Department of Medicine at Üsküdar University.
The strategy of the workshop, which serves as a scientific platform analyzing contemporary problems faced by young people, prioritizing an interdisciplinary approach and solution generation focused on social impact, was determined by the words of Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan in his book "Conscious Youth": "A young person who thinks with their own mind builds the future."
Applied workshop sessions were held
In the workshop held, applied workshop sessions were conducted under the headings of multidisciplinary teamwork, problem analysis with innovative methods, project cycle management processes, impact-based social entrepreneurship models, social benefit for community contribution, and mentoring support.
Youth problems were analyzed in detail
At the end of the two-day program, participants presented their innovative project proposals, which they developed by thoroughly analyzing the priority youth problems they identified. The outcomes obtained were reported in a manner that would provide data for youth policies and local government practices.
Groundwork laid for young people to take leadership in projects generating social benefit
The program, where participants received their certificates, prepared the ground for young people to gain active citizenship awareness, increase their solution-oriented participation in decision-making processes, and take on leadership roles in projects that generate social benefit, through its social innovation-based approach.
New generation youth problems were shared
The New Generation Youth Problems for which innovative solutions were produced in the workshop are;
1. Career Uncertainty and Future Anxiety
2. Digital Addiction and Struggle with Loneliness
3. Bullying, Violence, and Peer Relationships
4. Crisis of Belonging and Search for Identity
5. Psychological Resilience and Mental Health
6. Youth and Social Participation
7. Immigrant Youth and Integration
8. Ecological Awareness and Sustainability were identified.