Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan delivered the opening conference on ‘The Importance of Team Spirit in Non-Governmental Organizations’ at the inauguration of the NGOs at the University Project. Tarhan said, “This is 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.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “NGOs will be given not only service-providing but also pioneering, value-creating, and advocacy roles. NGOs will become brands, setting an example for Turkey.”
The opening of the ‘NGOs at the University Project’, organized at Üsküdar Üniversitesi NP Health Campus İbn-i Sina Auditorium and supported by the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations of the Ministry of Interior, was held.
Opening speeches were delivered by Project Cycle Consultant Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar, Project Coordinator Assistant Expert Clinical Psychologist Dilara Demiröz, Amasya Associations Federation (ADEF) Chairman Turan Sayar, Black Sea Civil Society Organizations Confederation (KASTOB) Chairman Nevzat Duyar, IMM Civil Society Organizations Relations Branch Manager Vedat Kara, and former Amasya Mayor Mehmet Sarı.
“With this project, we aim to reach 3,000 NGOs”
Project Cycle Consultant Dr. Lecturer Nebiye Yaşar stated that they believe in the power of civil society and that the project expresses the power of civil society on behalf of the country. Yaşar also stated that KASTOB, which ADEF is a part of, has 2 million members, adding, “With this project, we aim to reach 3,000 NGOs.”
Referring to the 'Haydi Tut Elimi Association' established within the university by Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Yaşar said, “We are moving forward with young people. We are also strengthening civil society with young people.”
Yaşar stated that they established the 'Silent Good Deeds Platform' and invited NGOs to this platform, noting that KASTOB immediately organized after the February 6 earthquakes, demonstrating the power of civil society and facilitating the construction of 176 prefabricated houses. Yaşar asked, “Why not have Brand NGOs?”
Project to last 12 months
Project Coordinator Assistant Expert Clinical Psychologist Dilara Demiröz stated that the project will last 12 months. Demiröz explained that the project's aim is to create a model to increase the effectiveness of civil society organizations, raise service quality based on principles of transparency, accountability, and participation, and contribute to NGOs becoming 'Brand NGOs' by ensuring their branding and institutionalization.
“We will change the fate of civil society organizations in Turkey”
Amasya Associations Federation (ADEF) Chairman Turan Sayar pointed to the importance of institutionalization and branding, stating, “We will change the fate of civil society organizations in Turkey.”
Sayar explained that an NGO, a federation, and a university signed a partnership agreement and that work has begun, stating that “Turkey must now enter a change” in order not to be among consuming associations.
176 prefabricated houses completed in Hatay
Black Sea Civil Society Organizations Confederation (KASTOB) Chairman Nevzat Duyar stated that they are present here on behalf of 24 federations, adding that 176 prefabricated houses have been completed in Hatay, and these houses were given by AFAD to assigned teachers.
There are nearly 32,000 NGOs in Istanbul
IMM Civil Society Organizations Relations Branch Manager Vedat Kara stated that there are nearly 32,000 NGOs in Istanbul, adding, “This project is an admirable project.”
Kara noted that they are pursuing 'Are there qualified NGOs?', stating that local governments should work with NGOs to reach those in need. Kara pointed to the importance of collaborative work with universities, saying, “We are ready for solidarity with both NGOs and universities.”
The constitution of associations…
Former Amasya Mayor Mehmet Sarı, referring to the project, said, “You have prepared the constitution of associations.” Sarı noted that associations would be remembered before elections and stated that associations should not be affiliated with political parties. Sarı emphasized the importance of the Amasya Circular in the War of Independence.
Amasya Circular gave great morale to Anatolia
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan also delivered the opening conference on 'The Importance of Team Spirit in Civil Society Organizations'.
In the program attended by NGO members from different cities of Turkey, Prof. Dr. Tarhan referred to the statement in the Amasya Circular, ‘The nation's independence will be saved by the nation's determination and decision,’ reminding that Amasya played a cornerstone role in the War of Independence and that this statement gave great morale to Anatolia at that time. Tarhan also stated that these projects could be realized thanks to them, adding:
“Currently, the Gazans are fighting the same War of Independence. Like the Kuvayi Milliye movement, they are experiencing similar hardships to those of the War of Independence days. May God give them perseverance and patience.”
NGOs should be partners of the government
Tarhan stated that in the 1990s, the UN defined a role for NGOs, saying that NGOs should be partners of the government, and emphasized the importance of organization to prevent the drift of majorities when individualization leads to lobbies governing the world.
Tarhan also noted that IMM establishing a civil society directorate for the first time is very valuable and thanked the Ministry of Interior for taking the issue seriously.
21st century skill: teamwork…
Stating, “Dedication and volunteerism are important in these projects,” Tarhan emphasized that it is important for public institutions collaborating with society to engage in teamwork with NGOs, and that teamwork is a 21st-century skill.
Tarhan emphasized the importance of teamwork and group intelligence, noting that NGOs need to institutionalize and that it's crucial for hidden power to be activated to break away from conventional wisdom.
Tarhan also pointed out the need to use different methods when doing things, stating that innovation requires mental effort.
“Adam’s apple, Newton’s apple, and Apple’s apple. And also, the Amasya apple…”
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Tarhan, explaining Newton's process of discovering gravity, said, “Three apples changed human history. Adam’s apple, Newton’s apple, and Apple’s apple. And also, the Amasya apple…”
Tarhan explained that the idiom 'Kafayı ütüleme' (literally 'ironing the head', meaning to bother or annoy someone persistently) also originated from Amasya, and that a center where mental patients were healed with water sounds was also in Amasya at one time. He added that at that time, depression was treated by keeping the head warm.
Different worldviews, same goal, similar action!
Tarhan also noted that teamwork is very important in projects, stating, “Team cohesion is also required in teamwork. Consistency among team members is necessary. It is important for people with different worldviews and political views to act similarly for the same purpose.”
Tarhan also drew attention to the importance of unity of purpose and method, and the necessity for people of different views to come together for the same goal, saying, “This is 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.”
There must be national goals
Tarhan also stated that there should be national goals, noting that even if there are discussions, compromise would be easier when the goal is shared.
Tarhan explained that four mottos were determined when the university was founded: criticizability, libertarianism, pluralism, and participation, and stated that individuals with a high sense of control cannot engage in teamwork.
Tarhan also stated that it is essential for one to trust their teammates, saying, “trust is the rule, suspicion is the exception” in such works.
This project will be a leaven…
Tarhan also stated that social responsibility projects are projects supported by the UN, adding that there is charity in our culture as well.
Tarhan said, “This project will be a leaven. More beautiful projects will follow. The Ministry of Interior embracing this project is valuable. As a university, we will carry out the project in accordance with the project cycle. In an open, transparent manner. It is a one-year project. At the end of the project, we want to create a brand. NGOs will be given not only service-providing but also pioneering, value-creating, and advocacy roles. NGOs will become brands, setting an example for Turkey.”
Tarhan also noted that great duties fall to associations for social peace, adding that NGOs proceed with scientific soundness in line with their philosophy.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan was presented with a plaque by ADEF Chairman Turan Sayar for his contributions to earthquake projects. After the presentation of plaques to the project managers and implementers, a group photo was taken.
TRT artist also performed…
The program concluded with a music recital by TRT Artist Ferhat Durmuş.