You Are Invited to the "Voices of Children: Life After the Earthquake" International Symposium and Photography Exhibition!

The earthquakes of February 6, with the epicenter in Maraş and magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6, have left a lasting and devastating impact. Among those most affected are children.

The Voices of Children project explores the experiences and perspectives of children aged 5-10 living in tent and container cities post-earthquake. This project, based in the Hatay earthquake region, was conducted through the photo-voice research approach to understand children’s post-earthquake experiences through their visuals and narratives.

The symposium aims to share analyses of this data and to create a roadmap for enhancing services for children.

Date: November 12, 2024, 10:30 a.m. 

Location: Üsküdar University, South Campus, Fuat Sezgin Conference Hall

Program Flow:

10:30-11:00 Opening Speeches

- Prof. Dr. Nurper Ülküer, Head of Child Development Department, Üsküdar University

- Didem Alkan İlhan, Head of Advocacy, Campaigns, Communication, and Media, Save the Children Turkey

- Prof. Dr. Lucy Bassett, Humanitarian Collaborative, University of Virginia

- Sema Hosta, Head of Communications, UNICEF

- Prof. Dr. Nazife Güngör, Rector of Üsküdar University

- Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector and Chairman of the Executive Board, Üsküdar University (Video Message)

11:00-12:00 Panel

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar University

- Project Introduction: Prof. Dr. Lucy Bassett, Humanitarian Collaborative, University of Virginia

- Project Implementation: Ayşe Nur Gençalp, Communications Specialist, Save the Children Turkey

- Interpretation and Analysis of the Photographs: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül Esra Atalay, Faculty of Communication, Üsküdar University; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bahar Muratoğlu Pehlivan, Faculty of Communication, Üsküdar University

- Evaluation of Findings in Terms of Child Development: Dr. Lecturer Demet Gülaldı, Research Assistant Seher Sav, Department of Child Development, Üsküdar University

12:00-12:30 Q&A Session

12:30-1:00 Opening of the “Life After the Earthquake Through Children’s Eyes” Photography Exhibition

A selection of photographs taken by children affected by the earthquake will be exhibited for one week as part of this project.