The first day of the 18th Anatolian Gathering started with greeting speeches. The program continued with the recitation of the Qur'an, followed by the greeting speeches of the meeting on “Human Decay”. The first speech was delivered by Mehmet Alpcan, Board Member of the Anatolian Federation. Then Deputy Minister of Interior Bülent Turan made his greeting speech.Mehmet AlpcanMehmet Alpcan, Member of the Board of Directors of the Anatolian Federation, started the greetings with his opening speech. In his speech, he introduced the main topic of the meeting, “Human Bozumu”, and mentioned the names who will speak during the day. He also mentioned the flow of the program.Bülent TuranDeputy Minister of Interior Bülent Turan emphasized the importance of such gatherings in his speeches. He emphasized the role of NGOs and communities, noting that Turkey is a wall between western and eastern cultures, which creates a strategic burden. He concluded his speech by referring to the political pressures on the Paris Olympics.  

The 2nd Ordinary General Assembly of the Anatolian Federation was held in Kızılcahamam district of Ankara on Monday, August 26, with the intense participation of members and guests from all over Turkey.The 2nd Ordinary General Assembly started at 17.00 with the opening speech of Gazi Kılıçparlar, Head of Human Values and Organization Unit. Then the members of the General Administrative Board presented the activity reports of the units. After the discussion meeting, the Board of Divan was elected. After the evaluation of the financial report, annual budget and expenditure plan, the reports and the three-year estimated budget plan were released. Turgay Aldemir, Chairman of the Board of Directors, then made a speech. In his speech, Aldemir said that we have had a successful and fruitful three-year period. We continue to integrate and develop with the society through the activities we carry out with the participation of our volunteers. We are on the threshold of a new three years with our short and long-term, realizable goals. Today, with our general assembly, we will take steps towards new goals with new friends who will shoulder our cause in the new period. In the election we will hold, every delegate is a candidate for this duty. Those elected are not the best of us; they are elected with the expectation that they will be the most hardworking. I would like to thank the valuable members of the Board of Directors who were in the Board of Directors in the previous period and served for three years. I wish fruitful and auspicious work to those who will be elected this term, he said.Delegates voted in the election held with the online election system.

Prof. Ganim El Şahin, Deputy General Manager of the Kuwaiti international Al Rahme Association, Cemal Akıncı, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Dr. Cemal El Razi, Executive Director visited our foundation.During the visit, detailed information was given about the activities carried out by our foundation. During the meeting, consultations were held on projects and activities that can be realized jointly.

The “Environment and Nature” Camp, which was attended by the Anatolian Student Union and Secondary Education unit Gaziantep, Anatolian Cultural Centers, Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye, Adana, Kilis and Nizip associations affiliated to the Anatolian federation, was held in Yamaçtepe Campground between 19-21 August 2024.On the first day of the camp, Celal Er, President of the Anatolian Student Union, made the greeting speech. The acquaintance program was accompanied by Yılmaz Ergen. In the evening, Nurettin Yener made a presentation on “Sustainability and Environmental Awareness”. After the introduction and presentation programs, the President of Bülbülzade Foundation Turgay Aldemir and Bülbülzade Foundation Organization Committee had a conversation with the students. The first day of the camp program continued until 24:00 with a music concert.On the second day of the camp, Tevfik Çayraz made a presentation on “Ecological Faith and Ecological Sunnah in the Context of Trust”.Macerapark activities, solar and lunar observation, sportive and scientific activities as well as quiz competitions were organized.In the evening of the second day, Nurettin Yener made a presentation on “Healthy Life, Hygiene and Quality”. After the presentation, Huzeyfe Akaslan and Şerif Pak, former presidents of the Anatolian Student Union, had a conversation with the students. The second day of the camp program continued with a music concert until 24:00.The Environment and Nature Camp program ended with a collective photo shoot and evaluation.

Closing Programs of Safe Zone Anatolian Cultural Centers Summer Schools were heldThe Safe Zone Anatolian Cultural Centers Summer Schools, which have been running since the beginning of July and planned to last for a month and a half, ended with the graduation programs held in the cultural centers in Al-Bab, Azaz, Jarablus and Afrin.The performances prepared by the students within the scope of the education they received and the skills they learned in the summer schools received great applause from the parents and the audience.In the Safe Zone Anatolian Cultural Centers Summer Schools, Quran education, values education, language courses, cultural trips, art and sports courses, skill workshops and children's workshops were held.

Anatolian Student Union organized a cultural trip to Kayseri with the participation of university students and educators.During the day trip, historical and cultural sites such as Hunat Hatun Complex, Kayseri Castle, Kurşunlu Mosque, Gevher Nesibe Darush Şifasi and Medical Madrasah, Hacı Kılıç Mosque, Ulu Mosque, Kazancılar Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Seyyid Burhaneddin Hazretleri Cemetery, Talas, Erciyes Mountain were visited.Ilim Hikmet Foundation hosted the travel team during the trip program. The participating young people had a chat with the president and board of trustees of the Ilim Hikmet Foundation.In addition, the grave of Furkan Doğan, who was martyred in Mavi Marmara, was visited and prayers were made.We would like to thank the Ilim Hikmet Foundation, Bülbülzade Foundation and volunteers for their support during the trip.

The Teacher Unit Consultation Meeting was held on Friday, August 9th at the Foundation headquarters with the participation of volunteer teachers.The meeting started with the opening speech of Mesut Aydoğan, Chairman of the Commission. The meeting continued with the contributions of Turgay Aldemir, President of the Foundation, and included a comprehensive evaluation of the Foundation's educational activities, summer activities and the work of the teacher unit in the new semester. The teachers who attended the meeting shared their thoughts and suggestions on these issues.Suggested topics are as follows:- Thematic readings- Assignments in the practical field- Project-oriented work- Involvement of new teachers- Strengthening in-service trainings- Activities to increase corporate belonging and volunteerism awareness- Quality interaction and communication- Family-oriented work- Encouragement, appreciation and guidance- Increasing nature-based activitiesThese recommendations will be evaluated in order to increase the effectiveness of the teacher unit and to make the Foundation's training processes more efficient.

Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, who is in Lithuania within the scope of the "Youth NGOs and Active Citizenship" workshop, and members of the board of directors of the foundation paid a visit to the Vilnius Embassy.During the visit, the youth work and international activities of our foundation were mentioned and social and cultural projects that can be realized in the region were discussed.In addition, a visit was made to the Lithuanian Tatar Cultural Association and information was received about the activities carried out in Trakai, Lithuania.Visits were also organized to the centers of the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Evaluation meeting of the summer activities organized within the scope of Bülbülzade Foundation's cultural activities,The meeting was held with the participation of the Anatolian Student Union, Secondary Education, Mosaic, EKE, Islahiye Earthquake Zone, Migration, Istiqrar Sports Club, Media Unit, Katre Science and Art Center units within the foundation and Bilim-Der and Semt-i Ibrahimli associations.During the meeting, the status of the social, cultural, artistic, sportive and nature activities that took place during the summer season was discussed. Opinions were also shared about the recently concluded summer school graduation program.The activities that were evaluated were as follows:- 20 summer schools in 3 regions including Gaziantep, safe zones and Islahiye-Nurdağı earthquake zone- 8 camp programs in 4 campsites- AÖB summer programs- Earthquake zone activities- Mosaic inter-city and intercultural exchange program- EKE unit summer activities- Life Giving Jobs sleepaway camp- Cycling tours- Parent meetings- Teacher meetings- Graduation programsAt the end of the meeting, unit heads and coordinators were thanked for all the activities carried out.

Anadolu Kültür Centers Summer School, which operates in safe areas of Syria, organized a swimming event for students in Al Bab city. The event was organized for children to have fun and improve their swimming skills.During the swimming activity, instructors informed the students about various swimming techniques and safety rules. The students had fun with water games and competitions and had the opportunity to improve their swimming skills.

On August 6, 2024, Kemal Çeber, Governor of Gaziantep, Deputy Governors and heads of relevant institutions attended the migration meeting held at Gaziantep Governorship. Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, Mustafa Hüseyin, President of Gaziantep Syrian Community and representatives of migrant services center also took part in the meeting.Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber stated that every suggestion and problem expressed at the meeting will be meticulously examined and necessary actions will be taken. Çeber emphasized that the policies implemented by our state regarding migration and migrants should be trusted, that everything is taken into consideration and that these issues should be acted with mixed sensitivity.The Provincial Police Chief and Provincial Gendarmerie Commander stated that they are working sensitively to ensure peace in the city. Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation, emphasized the importance of holding regular meetings and stated that the news spread on social media should be sensitive and resolved. He also emphasized the importance of directing high school-age children to education in Gaziantep and in the safe zone. Mr. Aldemir stated that Syrian associations could organize activities for host citizens and Turkish civil society organizations could organize activities for refugees.The meeting concluded with solutions and cooperation proposals to reinforce the desire of Syrians and Turkish society to live together.

Within the scope of the first activity of the Erasmus+ KA210 "Active Citizenship Guide for Young People" project carried out by Bilimder and supported by the Turkish National Agency, our youth workers attended the "Active Citizenship from a Theoretical Perspective" workshop in Vilnius, Lithuania.The activity, hosted by the project partner Tavo Europa, started with introductions and introductions. A total of 18 participants took part in the activity where topics such as active citizenship and participation in democratic life; active citizenship awareness for CSOs working in the youth field; competencies that CSOs and young people should have for active citizenship were discussed. In addition to expert presentations, a seminar on "Youth NGOs and Active Citizenship" was organized by Turgay Aldemir, President of Bülbülzade Foundation.After the presentations and sessions, a trip was organized to the Civic Education Center at the Lithuanian Prime Minister's Residence and the Lithuanian Parliament.The second edition of the activity, which ended with the presentation of YouthPass certificates to the participants, will be held in Gaziantep on October 26-31, 2024.At the end of the project, "Active Citizenship Guide for Youth" and "Active Citizenship Education Curriculum for Youth" will be created with the contributions of both partner organizations.