Üsküdar University participated in an international exhibition with a child rights perspective

Asst. Prof. Demet Gülaldı from the Child Development Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences participated with her work focusing on the child rights and child participation perspective in the international exhibition “Crossing Borders, Keeping Ties”, which aims to make the experiences of transnational families visible. At the exhibition held at Tallinn University, attention was drawn to children's rights to play, participation, and self-expression through the story of a child experiencing migration. Within this scope, the “Crossing Borders, Keeping Ties: TraFaDy Exhibition on Transnational Families” is planned to be exhibited at Üsküdar University in December.

Üsküdar University continues to bring its academic work in child development and child rights to international platforms. 

Asst. Prof. Demet Gülaldı from the Child Development Department participated with her work in the international exhibition “Crossing Borders, Keeping Ties: TraFaDy Exhibition on Transnational Families”, organized within the scope of the Transnational Family Dynamics in Europe (TraFaDy) network. 

At the exhibition held at Tallinn University, the experiences of transnational families living in different countries were discussed through themes such as migration, separation, belonging, family ties, and reunion.

Children's voices and rights became visible

Asst. Prof. Demet Gülaldı, representing Üsküdar University, drew attention to children's rights to play, participation, self-expression, and development within supportive relationships through the story of a child experiencing migration and war in her poster work titled “Waiting and Hope-Tirelessly.”

The migration of Syrian citizens to Turkey is considered one of the largest forced displacement movements following the start of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, with a significant portion of the Syrian population in Turkey being children. 

It was emphasized that the fundamental rights of children affected by situations such as migration and war, including access to education, healthcare services, protection, and a safe life, must be protected under all circumstances. While it was highlighted that approximately 800-900 thousand Syrian children affected by the Syrian Civil War also have the same rights as all children, it was also stressed that many Syrian refugee children may face various challenges such as interrupted education, poverty, and social exclusion. The United Nations and UNICEF also state that children have the right to education, access to healthcare services, protection, and a safe life.

The study reveals that despite all these challenges, child rights must be protected under all circumstances and everywhere; and that supporting children's rights is one of the fundamental elements of offering them hope, security, and opportunities for a better future.

From a child's story to a universal message…

In Asst. Prof. Demet Gülaldı’s work, experiences of war, migration, family separation, belonging, and childhood were examined together through the life story of a single child. Symbolic details in the story, such as the Turkish flag, were also evaluated in the context of the child's sense of belonging and their relationship with the place they live.

The work highlights the importance of considering children in transnational family experiences not merely as individuals affected by adult decisions, but as active individuals with their own views, experiences, and rights. It is emphasized that making children visible through their own stories and expressions is crucial for their voices to be heard and for their participation in decision-making processes to be supported.

Academia, art, and society met on the same platform

The “Crossing Borders, Keeping Ties” exhibition aims to make the experiences of transnational families living in different countries visible through the stories and narratives of family members themselves. The exhibition, which has a touring and participatory structure, can meet audiences at universities, research centers, museums, libraries, cultural institutions, and various communities.

The exhibition also allows host institutions to include their own local experiences and stories in the display. In this respect, the TraFaDy exhibition serves as an interdisciplinary platform supporting the sharing of knowledge and experience among academia, art, and society.

Academic work in child development brought to an international platform

Üsküdar University's Child Development Department's participation in the exhibition with a child rights perspective contributed to its academic approach in child development, child rights, child participation, and family studies gaining visibility on an international platform.

Making visible the experiences of children in multidimensional processes such as war, migration, and transnational family life at the exhibition; also highlighted the importance of centering children's needs, rights, and their own voices.

“Crossing Borders, Keeping Ties” in Üsküdar in December!

The international touring exhibition is planned to meet audiences in different European countries in the coming period, and the “Crossing Borders, Keeping Ties: TraFaDy Exhibition on Transnational Families” is scheduled to be exhibited at Üsküdar University in December.

With the exhibition meeting the public at Üsküdar University, it is aimed to share the experiences of transnational families, as well as children's rights, voices, and life experiences with a wider academic and social community.