All posts by imece network

Haklar Project: Advocating for Youth Rights

On December 20, 2024, Imece Network’s founder, Özkan Uzelli, proudly represented our organization at the closing panel of the “Haklar Project” in Ankara. This significant event was organized under the European Union’s Democracy and Human Rights program, led by the Youth Services Center Association, with the “Mardin Ortak Kadın İşbirliği Derneği” and the “Uğur Mumcu Araştırmacı Gazetecilik Vakfı” as partner organizations.

The panel took place at the Occidental Hotel’s grand ballroom and brought together youth representatives, civil society leaders, and human rights experts from across Turkey. The event emphasized the theme “Equal Rights, Equal Humans,” reflecting on the project’s journey since its inception on February 1, 2022. Through education, monitoring, and advocacy efforts, the Haklar Project has reached thousands of individuals, strengthening youth participation and promoting human rights and youth rights.

The day began with a welcoming reception, followed by opening speeches from key stakeholders, including Mehmet Arslan, the Project Director, and representatives from partner organizations. These inspiring addresses set the stage for a day of insightful discussions and knowledge sharing.

One of the highlights was the session “From the Youth’s Perspective,” where young participants shared their experiences and the impact of the Haklar Project on their advocacy efforts for both human rights and youth rights. This was followed by a panel on evidence-based approaches to human rights, featuring distinguished academics and legal experts.

The closing panel not only celebrated the project’s achievements but also fostered an environment of mutual learning and exploration. Imece Network’s involvement in such a vital initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to enhance education, culture, and youth participation on an international scale. We are excited to carry forward the insights and connections gained from this experience, continuing our work to inspire and advocate for a more equitable and inclusive future.

Participated “Akran Program”

On 7-8th December, our team member Fulya Ateş participated in the “Akran Program,” an intensive and rewarding two-day initiative focused on youth participation, advocacy, and campaign creation, fostering collaboration and sparking future advocacy ideas.

“Peer Program” organized by the Youth Services Center, aimed at increasing youth participation in civic initiatives. The program kicked off with an insightful discussion on advocacy and lobbying, which laid a solid foundation for understanding the key concepts. Subsequent sessions explored youth engagement, participation mechanisms, and practices both in Turkey and globally, providing a comprehensive perspective on the topic.

On Sunday, the focus shifted to campaign creation. They analyzed the “Interface Campaign” as a case study before forming groups based on issues they prioritized. Each group then developed and presented their own campaign, fostering creativity and collaboration. The participants were predominantly from outside the city, with notable representation from the other cities and regions.

The two-day program was both intensive and rewarding. It combined in-depth discussions with hands-on activities, creating an environment for meaningful learning and exchange. The diverse group of participants and the collaborative spirit made it an enriching experience, sparking ideas for future advocacy efforts.

Imece Network’s Journey to Latvia: Empowering Youth Workers

From November 22 to 30, 2024, Imece Network sent three participants to the Erasmus+ training course “Smooth and Successful Transition into a Labour Market” in Saulkrasti, Latvia. This program gathered 28 youth workers, educators, and NGO representatives from across Europe.

The project aimed to equip youth workers with essential knowledge, tools, and skills to support young people’s transition from education to employment. Through non-formal education and experiential learning, participants explored challenges and solutions for bridging the skills gap in the European labor market.

Workshops focused on mentorship techniques, practical strategies, and creative approaches, encouraging learning by doing. Intercultural evenings added a cultural exchange dimension, where Imece Network’s team proudly represented Turkey.

Our three representatives returned with fresh perspectives, enhanced skills, and strong international connections. Their experience reflects Imece Network’s commitment to promoting non-formal education and strengthening youth work across borders.

Stay tuned for more stories from our international journey!

ErasmusDays 2024

Erasmusdays 2024
Erasmusdays 2024

3 senedir devam ettirdiğimiz Gençlik Buluşması etkinliğimiz bu sene 19 Ekim Cumartesi günü Şişli İPA Habitat’da gerçekleşti.

İPA ve İBB Gençlik Hizmetleri Müdürlüğü iş birliğiyle hazırladığımız programda 10:00-19:00 arası Gençlik STK’ları fuarı ve yine gün boyu atölyeler ve söyleşiler yapıldı.

Katılan Kurumlar:

AEGEE Istanbul
Aktif Şehirler Derneği
Circle Up
Erasmus İstanbul Sports (ESI)
European Youth Parliament
EUROPUBlic
Genç Düşünce Enstitüsü
GHD Gönüllü Hizmetler Derneği
İBB Gençlik Ofisleri
İklim Öncüleri
İmece Network Eğitim ve Kültür Derneği
İmza Dergisi – Z Kuşağı
JCI İstanbul
Nişantaşı Üniversitesi Erasmus Kulübü
Takım Yıldızı SK
Young Future Association
Yücel Kültür Vakfı

Atölye ve Söyleşi Programı

10:30-11:00 Human Bingo
11.00-11.30 Uluslararası Gençlik Kampı
11.45-12.15 Gençlik ve Kampçılık
12.30-13.00 Proje Yazma Üzerine Temel Bilgiler
13.15-14.15 Postürünle Gücünü Hisset
14.30-15.00 Erasmus Spor
15.15-16.15 XVIII. Crossroads Uluslararası Kısa Film Festivali
16.30-17.00 Erasmus Faaliyetleri ve Sürpriz Oyun
17.15-18.15 Yazarlık Atölyesi
18.30-19.00 Erasmus Staj

Resim galerisi yakında eklenecek!

Stay tuned!

#imecenetwork #imece #erasmusdays #erasmusplus #eurodesk #eurodesktr

TC “From Mental Health to Democratic Participation”

At 15th of july our volunteers participated in a week long Erasmus+ training course in Pamporovo Bulgaria.

Topics of the training were:
Raising awareness about how mental health effects all aspects of our everyday life.
And exercises we can do promote our mental and physical well being.

The project included 19 participants from different backgrounds and nationalities.

During the project participants did lots of activities and workshops together. Such as drawing and discussing. Allowing them to learning by doing.

Outside of sessions participants organized cultural nights to represent their countries. Showing traditional dances, musics and offering snacks.

At the end of the project volunteers left to return their counties as more open minded and mentally resilient individuals. Therefore contributing more to their communities.

SociALL Up “Social Awareness Festival”

As being Imece Network participated in SociALL Up “Social Awareness Festival” organized by IU Entrepreneurship Club in IPA Florya Campus.

Among the 20 others, Imece Network was the only organization dealing with Erasmus + programs.

We could share all the projects our participants joined, new friends that they made and interesting things they learned. The event lasted till the late evening hours when we finished our gathering with a concert that completed the whole day of fun that we had!

TC “Innovative and Good Practices in the Youth Work”

On the 8th of May our adventure started. Three of our volunteers attended the five-day training course that took place in Varna. The training course was organized by the association “Inspiration” Ruse, Bulgaria. Eight countries took part in this course, besides Turkey.

The youth workers played lots of fun games, had some challenging activities and got a chance to improve their communication skills, to be more open-minded, learned not to trust everything they hear in the newspaper. One of the topics that volunteers had a chance to discuss was the topic of human rights.

Of course, every job deserves a treat. On the training courses, we call them intercultural evenings. Every night we brought new information about the other countries that participated in the project. Some countries even did some quizzes to see how much they remembered the presentation or to give them a chance to learn something new about their country.

Sadly, as everything on this project came to an end by the 14th of May, when our volunteers packed their bags and hit the road to Turkey, where they came with lots of excitement and good memories of new friends and places!

Youth Exchange “Our Rights: Human Rights”

From 29th March to 6th April 2024, the Infinite Opportunities Association organised a 7 days exchange programme called ‘Our Rights: Human Rights’, which was co-funded by the European Union.

The aim of the programme was to bring together youth from multiple countries in the world, and give an international and intercultural perspective on human rights. There were 36 participants in total, of which 5 were from Turkey.

Each day was packed with workshops and activities aimed at understanding human rights issues and to encourage conversation on challenging topics. These sessions included: understanding stereotypes and prejudices, freedom of speech versus hate speech, women’s rights and gender equality, understanding privileges in society and who are the underprivileged.

Non-formal learning approaches were used to try to give a solution to the issues discussed. Gamification and campaigning were discussed as tools for promoting social inclusion and human rights. Participants were also encouraged to share literature such as books and leaflets, enriching each other’s understanding and commitment to human rights advocacy.

Intercultural nights allowed participants to share their local foods and drinks with those from other countries, and promoted learning about different cultures too. There were also recreational activities such as tourism or sports that allowed for team building and forming friendships.

By the end of the programme, these young ambassadors returned home, ready to uphold human rights and effect positive change in their communities and beyond.

Imece Iftar 2024

The evening began with a welcoming atmosphere as attendees gathered, sharing stories and laughter. As the call to prayer signaled the end of the fast, everyone sat down to a beautifully arranged table filled with traditional iftar dishes.

The spread included dates, lentil soup, freshly baked bread, and a variety of savory and sweet delights. Conversations flowed naturally, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among the participants. Each attendee contributed to the meal, bringing homemade dishes that showcased their culinary skills and cultural heritage. The sense of togetherness was palpable, making the event feel like a large family gathering. The evening also included a short speech by one of the organizers, expressing gratitude for the presence and contributions of everyone.

As the night progressed, the group enjoyed tea and desserts, deepening their connections through shared experiences and heartfelt conversations. The iftar at Macka Democracy Park was more than just a meal; it was a celebration of community, culture, and the spirit of Ramadan.

A Warm and Communal Iftar at Maçka Democracy Park

The iftar at Maçka Democracy Park was a warm and communal event, attended by 15 people. The evening began with a welcoming atmosphere as attendees gathered, sharing stories and laughter. As the call to prayer signaled the end of the fast, everyone sat down to a beautifully arranged table filled with traditional iftar dishes.

Traditional Iftar Dishes and Shared Moments

The spread included dates, lentil soup, freshly baked bread, and a variety of savory and sweet delights. Conversations flowed naturally, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among the participants. Each attendee contributed to the meal, bringing homemade dishes that showcased their culinary skills and cultural heritage. The sense of togetherness was palpable, making the event feel like a large family gathering.

A Heartfelt Speech by the Organizer

As the night progressed, one of the organizers gave a short speech, expressing gratitude for everyone’s presence and contributions. This added a personal and emotional touch to the evening, highlighting the importance of community and collective effort.

Continuing Friendships with Tea and Desserts

As the evening continued, the group enjoyed tea and desserts, deepening their connections through shared experiences and heartfelt conversations. The iftar at Maçka Democracy Park was more than just a meal; it was a celebration of community, culture, and the spirit of Ramadan.