Youth Bridge from Adana to London: Expert Exchange Project

The 'Youth Atlas Expert Exchange Project', carried out by the Yüreğir Youth Center under the Adana Yüreğir Youth and Sports Directorate, continues internationally in collaboration with the Turkish Education Consortium in England. The project aims to develop youth work, education, and cultural cooperation between Turkey and the United Kingdom. As part of this initiative, a 10-member expert delegation from Adana is participating in a week-long observation and contact program in London. The first step of the project was taken last November when a delegation from the Turkish Education Consortium visited Adana. Now, within the framework of reciprocal visits, experts from Adana are in London.

The first major event of the program took place on Thursday at the Yunus Emre Institute in London. There, Necmi Hasanoğlu, President of the Turkish Education Consortium in England, gave a comprehensive presentation on youth organizations, the education system, and the educational activities of the Turkish community in the UK. Participants received detailed information about the educational processes of Turkish youth living in England, the current state of Turkish language education, and youth work. The presentation highlighted both differences and commonalities in education between the two countries. Challenges and opportunities faced by Turkish youth in the UK were also discussed.

As part of the London contacts, the Adana delegation visited Ambassador Hasan Ulusoy, Turkey's Consul General in London, to exchange views on the project. The delegation also met with Duygu Altıntaş, Acting Education Counselor at Turkey's London Education Office, to evaluate educational activities abroad. Within the program, the delegation was hosted by Atilla Abacıoğlu, President of Wimbledon Turkish School. The meeting addressed the work of Turkish schools operating in the UK and practices regarding mother tongue education for Turkish children. Deniz Özalp, Education and Culture Attaché of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, also attended the meeting.

The London program continued intensively over the weekend. On Saturday, the delegation visited Ali Rıza Değirmencioğlu Turkish School, operating under the Turkish Family Association of England. President Sevtap Kemal informed the expert guests about the school's youth-oriented activities. The same day, the expert group met with Ertan Uluçay, Vice President of the Turkish Community Football Federation in England, to exchange information on sports activities, club formation, and youth participation in social life among Turkish youth in the UK. These visits showcased different dimensions of youth work.

The 'Youth Atlas Expert Project' aims to strengthen youth policies, educational practices, and cultural interaction between Turkey and the UK. The project seeks to contribute to the development of lasting collaborations between the two countries. The Adana delegation includes Necip Demirci, District Director of Yüreğir Youth and Sports; Gökhan Karabörk, Acting Branch Manager of Adana Youth and Sports Directorate; and experts Hatice Ayten Tanış Avşar, Alper Çabuk, Gamze Keniş, Hüseyin Sarı, Özlem Önal, Hıdır Adıgüzel, Ceren Horoz, and Derya Çiftçi. Such exchange programs are expected to enhance international experience sharing in the field of youth.