In our country, a legal framework exists to enable young people to actively participate in decision-making mechanisms. However, a culture of participation has not yet been sufficiently institutionalized in practice. Within the scope of the project, the following objectives were set to ensure that young people can effectively engage in decision-making processes:

Increasing their awareness of their rights,

Developing awareness regarding participation in politics and decision-making mechanisms,

Conducting on-site observations in Europe on youth participation in local, national, and international decision-making mechanisms.

Activities Implemented Within the Scope of the Project

 

Istanbul Programme

 The opening activities of the project were held on 15–16–17 March 2019 at Kartal Titanic Hotel.

 During the opening programme, the following seminar presentations were delivered:

 

Fatma Genç Ünay, Member of the Council of Europe Turkish National Delegation —

“The Role of Local Governments and Parliaments in Public Diplomacy on International Platforms”

 

Fatma Çakır, President of the Turkish-French Student Union —

“The Active Role of NGOs in Decision-Making Mechanisms and Youth in France”

 

Rümeysa Çamdereli, Project Specialist, YADA Foundation —

“What is Advocacy?”

 

Tuğba Ceren Çerçi, Programme Coordinator, Youth Policies Directorate, OIC Youth Forum —

“The Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum as a Diplomatic Institution: Mission, Vision and Activities”

 

Dr. Tolga Şentürk, Assistant Professor, Department of Media and Communication, İzmir Katip Çelebi University; Director of Continuing Education Center —

“Encouraging Youth toward Social Entrepreneurship: National and International Best Practice Examples”

 

Ömer Faruk Sukayar, General Coordinator, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Youth Assembly —

“Youth Work in Local Governments and the Role of Youth Assemblies”

 

Additionally, workshops were organized under the following themes:

 

Youth Participation in Decision-Making Mechanisms at the Local Level

 

Youth Participation in Decision-Making Mechanisms at the National Level

 

Youth Participation in Decision-Making Mechanisms at the International Level

 

Düzce Programme

 

The second phase of the project took place on 2–3–4 May 2019 at Topuk Plateau Fenerbahçe Facilities, Düzce.

 

The programme included expert and academic presentations as well as role-play exercises within the scope of advocacy studies.

 

Seminar presentations included:

 

Dr. Zülkif Dağlı, Governor of Düzce —

“Decision-Making and Implementation Processes in Public Administration”

 

Dr. Ayhan Nuri Yılmaz, Assistant Professor —

“Youth and Public Diplomacy”

 

Assoc. Prof. Yunus Emre Taşgit —

“The Psychology of Indecision and Errors in Decision-Making Processes”

 

Prof. Dr. Özcan Hıdır —

“Western Perspectives on Islam and Muslims from History to the Present”

 

Funda Akyol —

“From Local to International Decision-Making Mechanisms: Advocacy in Civil Society”

 

Strasbourg Programme

 

Between 29–30 September and 1–4 October 2019, a programme was organized in Strasbourg with the participation of 25 young people from Istanbul, İzmir, and Düzce, 5 young participants from France, and project partners.

 

Visits and meetings conducted within the programme included:

 

Visit to the European Youth Centre,

 

Presentation by Christina Olsen, GREVIO Secretariat official,

 

Presentation by Zeynep Usal, official of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), and exchange with ECRI Executive Director Johan Friestedt,

 

Tour and presentation on the Council of Europe,

 

Presentation on COJEP,

 

Presentation by Claudia Luciani, Director of Human Dignity, Equality and Governance at the Council of Europe,

 

Tour and presentation on the European Parliament,

 

Introductory briefing and visit to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) building,

 

Presentation on the ECtHR by Turkish legal expert Yasemin Çağ at the ECtHR Secretariat,

 

Reception organized by the Consulate General for project participants,

 

Visit to the Strasbourg Municipality and presentation by Protocol Director Bernard Rohfritsch,

 

Reception of the delegation by Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe,

 

Meeting with Leyla Kayacık, Director of Cabinet of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe

 

Closing Programme

 

The project closing programme was held on 18–19–20 October 2019 at Kartal Titanic Hotel.

 

Presentations included:

 

Nedim Kaya, Board Member, Maarif Foundation —

“Thinking Beyond the Glass Barrier”

 

Prof. Dr. Aşkın Asan, GREVIO Turkey Member —

“The Second Revolution in Women’s Rights: Opportunities, Threats, and Youth”

 

Simulation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation,

 

Dr. Ravza Kavakçı Kan, Member of Parliament for Istanbul; Head of the Turkish Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union —

“Advocacy and Youth”

 

Following these presentations, a Policy Paper was prepared in line with the project outcomes.

 

Young participants who completed the project process became eligible to receive the Europass Certificate.

 

The Policy Paper addressed the fundamental knowledge young people should acquire to conduct advocacy activities at local, national, and international levels and included youth perspectives on enhancing participation. The document was shared with policymakers, young people, and NGOs working in this field.