The first stakeholder meeting of the “Healthy Relationships, Strong Marriages” project, approved by the Ministry of Interior and implemented under the leadership of the Kocaeli Federation of Associations, was held in Dilovası. Conducted with the scientific consultancy of Üsküdar University and supported by the Dilovası District Governorship and Municipality, the project aims to strengthen the institution of family and support marriages on a healthy foundation through training programs, counseling services, and social awareness initiatives. Stakeholders attending the meeting emphasized that strong families are the cornerstone of social peace.
The meeting was attended by Dilovası District Governor Dr. Metin Kubilay, Dilovası Mayor Ramazan Ömeroğlu, Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordinator and Director of the Young Minds Academy Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar, Faculty of Medicine Asst. Prof. Ayhan Özşahin, Project Coordinator and Family Counselor Bahriye Gürpınar Geredeli, Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Council Member and Businessperson İshak Koçoğlu, and President of the Science and Virtue Foundation Mahmut Ekşi.
Trainings to guide couples
During the meeting, the participants discussed the actions to be taken to strengthen the family institution, support marriages on a healthy foundation, and ensure the lasting construction of social peace. The project aims to create a lasting impact on society, especially through training sessions, counseling services, and social awareness activities that will guide young couples in the pre- and post-marriage periods.
Ramazan Ömeroğlu: “A strong marriage is the foundation of a healthy society.”
Dilovası Mayor Ramazan Ömeroğlu shared his views on the project: “We are not only supporting this project but also taking responsibility as a municipality. From now on, it will be mandatory for couples applying for marriage at our municipality to attend this training. Because a strong marriage is the foundation of a healthy society.”
Dr. Metin Kubilay: “The peace of our society begins with the family.”
Dilovası District Governor Dr. Metin Kubilay highlighted the project’s contribution to society: “The peace of our society begins with the family. With this project, we are opening the door to healthy generations by providing correct information, guidance, and support to our youth and couples. As Dilovası, we are proud to take this exemplary step.”
Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar: “With this project, we aim to open the paths to happiness.”
Üsküdar University Social Contribution Coordinator Asst. Prof. Nebiye Yaşar emphasized the importance of family: “The family is not only a social but also a psychological source of security and belonging for the individual. With this project, we aim to open the paths to lasting happiness by providing scientific support to couples both before and after marriage.”
Asst. Prof. Ayhan Özşahin: “The most important element of public health is family integrity”
Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, Head of the Department of Family Medicine Asst. Prof. Ayhan Özşahin emphasized the importance of family integrity for public health. Özşahin stated: “The most important element in protecting public health and social peace is family integrity. This project, through the cooperation of academia and practice, will contribute to establishing marriages on a healthy foundation.”
Mahmut Ekşi: “With this project, we are building the peaceful society of tomorrow”
Mahmut Ekşi, President of the Science and Virtue Foundation, shared his views on the project: “Our greatest responsibility is to protect the institution of family. With this project, we are not only addressing today but also building the peaceful society of tomorrow. May our partnership be beneficial and fruitful.”
İshak Koçoğlu: “Success in business begins with peace in the family”
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Council Member and businessperson İshak Koçoğlu expressed his wholehearted support for the project: “Success in business begins with peace in the family. I wholeheartedly support this project, because strong families mean a strong society and a strong Türkiye.”
Bahriye Gürpınar Geredeli: “We will be honored to guide young couples”
Bahriye Gürpınar Geredeli, President of the Kocaeli Federation of Associations (KOCADEF), Project Coordinator, and Family Counselor, emphasized the importance of guiding young couples: “Every marriage is a new beginning. As KOCADEF, we have taken an important step in our pilot region, the Dilovası district, to ensure these beginnings are strong, healthy, and conscious. Through the ‘Healthy Relationships, Strong Marriages’ Family Academy Project, we will be honored to guide young couples and families with our training programs and counseling services.”
Üsküdar University assumes the project’s scientific consultancy
Üsküdar University will provide scientific consultancy for the project, contributing from the perspectives of family psychology, communication, and social innovation. The collaboration with the District Governorship and Municipality will enable the programs to be implemented in the field and disseminated to wider audiences.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)