Issue: 95
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Istanbul was organized in Kuruçeşme Arena between 7-11 October.
Showcasing works of Turkey's pioneering fashion designers, the event gathered up fashion brands, media, buyers and fashion lovers.
Argande in İstanbul Fashion Week for the fifth time
Argande participated in the fashion week for the fifth time, presenting its 2014 spring/summer collection with the support of Markafoni.
Under Hatice Gökçe's coordination, designers Deniz Yeğin, Aslı Filinta and Nihan Peker created modern pieces which carry the traces of large statues, captivating scenery and rich cultural heritage of Mount Nemrut.
The collection was produced by local women working in Argande production atelier in Batman.
Products will be offered to sale in fourteen Mudo stores and online sales campaign will be organized via Markafoni.
Catalogue shooting was also on Mount Nemrut
Mount Nemrut which inspired the Argande's latest collection also hosted the brand's catalogue shooting in September, featuring Tamer Yılmaz's photographs of Sema Şimşek who is the face of the brand.
Argande brand was established in 2009 under the scope of “Innovations for Women's Empowerment in Southeast Anatolia” project, which is financed by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and implemented by UNDP and GAP Regional Administration.
While supporting sustainable women's employment in the region, Argande also aims at promoting Southeast Anatolia's rich cultural heritage to the customers living in Turkey's big cities.
As part of UN Day activities, a reception was organized with the participation of parliamentarians, representatives of ministries, ambassadors, diplomatic community, NGOs, UN partners and stakeholders.
At the event Turkish government was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Naci Koru. UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Kamal Malhotra and Deputy Minister Koru made speeches to mark the UN Day.
In his speech, Deputy Minister Koru emphasized the increasing cooperation between Turkey and the United Nations. Koru commended the work done by the UN in Turkey and outlined Turkey’s efforts to expand its geographical reach.
UN Resident Coordinator Kamal Malhotra emphasized the new strategic cooperation between Turkey and the UN.
Malhotra also talked about post 2015 development agenda in his speech: “I can attest to the fact that there was a real commitment on the part of all UN member states to agree on a post-2015 Development Agenda at the General Assembly in September 2015, focused on sustainable development with measurable goals.”
Through this portal which is prepared in the scope of “Promoting Energy Efficiency in Buildings” project, it is aimed to support the promotion of the efficient use of energy resources in buildings which is the one of the important objectives of the building energy performance regulation and related regulations.
There are sections in the portal that give information on Building Energy Performance regulation, Building Energy Performance Software (BEP-TR) system which is developed within the context of BEP regulation.
This system is used for the issuance of Energy Performance Certificates for buildings, how and who are allowed to use this system, what kind of data on buildings can be gathered from the system.
Furthermore, there are also micro sites within the portal regarding the energy efficiency in buildings, central heating cost sharing system and several projects/trainings undertaken by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
For further information, please click here: www.bep.gov.tr
Every Drop Matters–Water partnership initiative of UNDP and The Coca-Cola Company is making effort to help the protection of Black Sea since the initiation of the partnership for about 7 years.
Black Sea Box which already reached students living in the Black Sea Coast of Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania is now online.
The iPad Application of Black Sea Box was launched on 21 October and now available on iTunes store.
It is aimed to raise awareness among larger audience via this iPad not only on the beauties of Blacks Sea and threats it is facing but also on the fact that this is a global environmental problem that can be solved with more collective action.
The Black Sea Box iPad App also has a game which makes the application more attractive and entertaining.
You can download the App to your iPad from iTunes store by searching Black Sea Box.
Signboards and plates were placed at several spots in Gökova Special Environmental Protection Area (SEPA) by the Mediterranean Conservation Society (AKD), under the context of “the Strengthening the System of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas of Turkey” project.
16 spots in 6 areas
Signboards and informative boards were placed at 16 spots with the aim of increasing the visibility of the no-fishing zones and to explain their borders better.
This effort is expected to eliminate the excuse of “We did not know” used by the illegal fishers.
The survey was held by the Underwater Research Society (SAD) - the implementer of the “Responsible Fishing Project” under the support of “the Strengthening the System of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas of Turkey” project and GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) – COMDEKS.
Conducted to local stakeholders and participants
The survey was conducted in Datça-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area (SEPA) and 22 questions were asked.
The answers showed that even though the participants are aware of no-fishing zones, there is a lack of information in basic subjects about responsible fishing implementations.
Awareness is high about no-fishing zones
The answers of the participants showed that the consciousness level is relatively high about no-fishing zones.
But the concerning side came out on basic fishery issues.
It is seen that there is a lack of information about the regulations such as preventing illegal fishing and following the rules of hunting season.
It was made by sculptor Ömer Faruk Kılıç was exhibited in Muğla Akyaka on 30 October.
“Ghost Net Hunters” project is being conducted under the support of the Strengthening the System of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas of Turkey Project and GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP)- COMDEKS.
Nets wrapped over polyester molding
The fishing nets, which were surfaced from the sea, were wrapped over the polyester molding made by sculptor Ömer Faruk Kılıç, who worked voluntarily.
Exhibited on 30 October
The sculpture was visited by the local people on 30 October, the date that the field studies of the project were also concluded.
The nets, which were surfaced along with the fishing lines, were also exhibited.
Moreover, the boards that include the story of and the studies within the project were involved in the exhibition.
The bottom of the sea, which was shot by underwater cam, was broadcasted and shown to the children in the activity organized by “Responsible Fishing Project”
“Responsible Fishing Project” is implemented by the Underwater Research Society (SAD) under the support of the Strengthening the System of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas of Turkey Project and GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) – COMDEKS.
Click here for the video of the story.
“To achieve meaningful results, we need fresh solutions to girls’ education challenges and we must heed the voices of young people,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message for the International Day.
An estimated 31 million primary school aged girls currently miss out on school, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“Empowering girls, ensuring their human rights and addressing the discrimination and violence they face are essential to progress for the whole human family,” Mr. Ban noted.
The International Day of the Girl Child was designated as 11 October by a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2011, to recognize girls’ rights and highlight the unique challenges girls face worldwide. This year focuses on “innovating for girls’ education.”
Innovation ranges from improving means of transportation for girls to get to school to corporate mentorship programmes to help them acquire critical work and leadership skills and facilitate their transition from school to work, to deploying mobile technology for teaching and learning to reach girls in remote areas.
In Bangladesh, innovative solar-powered floating schools help ensure uninterrupted learning for children living in communities affected by floods and rising sea water.
Meanwhile, in Uganda, girls at some schools have access to a solar-powered Digital Drum, a rugged computer kiosk built into an oil drum and pre-loaded with dynamic multimedia content on health, job training, education opportunities, and other services.
Empowerment and education of girls is part of the eight anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which the international community aims to reach by the 2015 deadline.
“If we are to realize the future we want for all, we must hear and heed the calls of the marginalized,” Mr. Ban said in his message for the Day, which has been observed at UN Headquarters since 1993 and around the world since 1987.
This year’s theme is “Working together towards a world without discrimination: Building on the experience and knowledge of people in extreme poverty.”
We need to do more to listen and act for those whose voices often go unheard – people living in poverty, and in particular among them indigenous people, the older persons and those living with disabilities, the unemployed, migrants and minorities.
Mr. Ban noted that the Day comes as the international community is pursuing twin objectives: intensifying efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and formulating the next set of goals to guide our efforts after the MDG 2015 deadline.
In that regard, the UN chief stressed that the international community had much work to do: while poverty levels have declined significantly, progress has been uneven. “Our impressive achievement in cutting poverty by half should not blind us to the fact that more than 1.2 billion people still live in extreme poverty worldwide,” he said.
Over the past year, the UN has been spearheading an unprecedented global conversation on the world people want, with more than a million people from over 190 countries taking part in global consultations on their priorities for the new development agenda.
“By listening and responding to these voices, UN Member States can chart new territory – generating the kind of public ownership which could turn the world’s aspirations, including to eradicate extreme poverty, into action through an agenda which is monitored and championed by the people to whom it matters most,” said Helen Clark, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), in her message for the Day.
She noted that UNDP is supporting countries confront discrimination by helping them realize their human rights commitments, formulate policies which approach poverty as both a cause and a consequence of discrimination, and by empowering and engaging poor people through its programmes.
“To commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I wish to remind States and others that efforts to end poverty must include valuing, supporting and redistributing unpaid care as an essential part of the strategy,” she said.
The event which took place on October 10, 2013 brought together key academics, civil society members, and private sector representatives from Turkey. Also joining the event through a live feed was Prof. Hirokazu Yoshikawa (New York University) Co-Chair of the report as well as Prof. Chandrika Bahadur, Secretariat of the SDSN Thematic Group 4 producing the report.
The event aimed to gather feedback on the draft United Nations SDSN report before its global publication later this year. The SDSN is a global United Nations initiative led by Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University that mobilizes scientific and technical expertise from academia, civil society, and the private sector in support of sustainable-development problem solving at local, national, and global levels. The SDSN is structured around 12 thematic groups and the draft Report is produced under the thematic group on “Early Childhood Development, Education, and Transition to Work.” Recommendations of the final report will be fundamental to crafting the Post-2015 global development agenda of the United Nations on sustainable development.
The discussions revolved around the indicators and recommendations of the three targets proposed in the report. Sessions 1 titled “Supporting Early Childhood Development for Children from 0 to 8 years” was moderated by Suliman Al-Atiqi (UNDP Isdsn3ICPSD, Programme Analyst). Session 2 titled “Education for Children between 5 and 18 Years of Age” was moderated by Rana Zincir Celal (Program Manager, Columbia Global Centers). Session 3 titled “Preparing Children and Adults for Work” was moderated by Dr. Simona Marinescu (Director, UNDP IICPSD). The feedback from the participants will be submitted to the co-chairs of the report.
Research projects in line with the objective and targeted product groups of the mentioned project will be financially supported in the context of “Market Transformation of Energy Efficient Appliances in Turkey Project”.
The aim with this call is to help increase academic studies at universities in Turkey targeting energy efficiency, build capacity and ensure that at least one undergraduate or graduate level or summer school level must/elective course is opened or more emphasize is given to energy efficiency of household appliances in the current curricula.
Grant Programme Application Guide which has all the details regarding to the call for project proposals can be reached by the links given below as well as from the web sites www.tr.undp.org, www.yegm.gov.trand www.evudp.net
The application guide is prepared both in Turkish and English.
In case of any inconsistency between Turkish and English version of the Application Guide, the English version shall prevail.
Deadline for applications: 15 November 2013, Friday, 17.00
Ref: EVUDP PIMS 4014/HP
EVUDP-Hibe Programı Başvuru Rehberi
EVUDP-Grant Programme Application Guide
Medium term programmes have three-year outlook and they are renewed every year.
In the medium term programme of 2014-2016, plan perspective as well as developments in both domestic and foreign markets are discussed.
The programme, which begins with a summary of economic developments in Turkey and the world, identifies macroeconomic targets and policies that will be implemented during the term of 2014-2016.
In the programme, the growth in 2013 is predicted as 3,6 percent, while in 2014 and 2015-2016 as 4 percent and 5 percent respectively.
The predicted rate of unemployment by the end of 2013 is 9,5 percent while the inflation rate is indicated as 6,8 percent.
In the programme, it is stated that in order to achieve the growth sustainability, the policies which are followed to enhance the income distribution, along with regional development policies to close the regional disparities.
The programme also highlights the significance of energy efficiency and expresses that new green job opportunities will be welcomed while the green growth is supported.
Held during 5-8 October, ten persons with various disabilities from Suat Ayöz Traffic Victims Association, Beşiktaş and Galatasaray Disabled Basketball Team and Non-Disabled Academy had been matched with 10 Peugeot volunteers.
Groups had experienced various sports activities such as diving, sea kayak and horseback riding.
Two whole days were spent for the main focus of the project – diving.
The event in which the participants discovered the uniqueness of the underwater has been documented by a team directed by Okan Avcı.
Both volunteers and sportsmen with disabilities defined their experiences as unique.
In New HorizonsPodcasts, selected stories of the works of UNDP, which works for a more productive, healthier, more educated and greener future, are shared.
In the first episode of the new season which began on 28 October, we share with you some parts of the Social Good Summit İstanbul meet-up, in which the impact of social media and the youth on social good was discussed.
How to follow New Horizons Podcasts?
New Horizons Podcasts which are broadcasted in Turkish can be reached through our website tr.undp.org or yeniufuklar.info. The podcasts can also be found on iTunes Store.
New Horizons Podcasts which are prepared by the Communications Department of UNDP Turkey, continue its new season with the support of Açık Radyo (Open Radio) and Radyo ILEF.
New Horizons Podcasts are rebroadcasted in 14 radios in Turkey.
You can reach the programme transcripts both in Turkish and English on New Horizons Podcast page.
The new episodes of New Horizons Podcasts will continue to be broadcasted on every Monday.
In SEGE research, the level of development in cities and regions are measured in a comparative manner.
In SEGE 2011, 61 variances in total under social and economic indicators have been used.
SEGE studies determine to which development group a city or a region belongs.
Therefore these studies aim at providing the sub-structure for analysis necessary for a more efficient use of the resources and a balanced development.
In the SEGE-2011, cities are divided into six categories based on development level, prominent for the new incentive mechanism.
In addition to the previously used variances, SEGE 2011 uses new variances in the field of competitive and innovative capacity, access and quality of life.
The results show that unemployment is the highest in cities like Adana, Mersin, Van, İzmir and İstanbul where high rates of migration is witnessed.
The cities in Northern Anatolia, known for high immigration rates, have low rates of unemployment because of an undeveloped labour market rather than efficiency in labour market.
According to the competitive and innovative capacity variances, the amount that the cities of Tunceli, Kars Gümüşhane, Erzincan, Bayburt, Ardahan and Bitlis received from export share is very low, almost close to zero.
Photo: Fatih Aktaş
Uzundere Sapaca Village
Life with Cycling in Choruh Valley / 12-13 October 2013
Tourism Development in Eastern Anatolia Project (TDEAP) was implemented under the scope of Future lies in Tourism, with the cooperation of Ministry of Culture and Tourism, UNDP and Anadolu Efes between the years 2007-2012,
Uzundere, located in the eastern part of Turkey, is one of the pilots in the Çoruh Valley where the TDEAP project had implemented its activities.
The establishment of more than 20 family pensions (bed&breakfast), three civil society organizations, one of which is a women led organization have been supported.
The activities of the project included capacity building in the outdoor activities and organization of local festivals like bird watching, photo shooting, trekking, mountain riding, camping, canoeing, water-skiing etc.
Local and international touristic interest to the region has risen.
These emerging developments, with the support of Ministry of Culture and Tourism, have made Uzundere the new "Tourism Center".
For more information about the "Tourism Centers" please visit Web-page of Ministry of Culture and Tourism (in Turkish): http://www.ktbyatirimisletmeler.gov.tr/TR,9670/tanim-ve-kapsam.html
For more information about the Çoruh Valley and the Project please visit www.choruh.com and www.datur.com
The Azmak marshes and shore line’s ecosystem situated within the grounds of the Teos ancient city ruins in Sığacık, Seferihisar, has great importance for both the Aegean region and Turkey’s biodiversity.
Seferihisar is also known as Turkey’s first ‘slow city’ as it joined Cittaslow Network which is a union of cities that do not want to be a part of homogeneous spaces, remain local and saving its own special properties.
The Azmak marshes within the coast line of Sığacık and Doğanbey are part of the 305 key biodiversity areas of Turkey and these marshes are home to various sea birds and flora.
However, the ground of Teos ruins in Seferihisar is under an extreme threat with the careless use of its marshes and shoreline.
Visitors' careless use of these marshes and shoreline causes flora and shore-line plant erosion and extreme pollution is the main problem of the area.
Raising awareness among the local community
The natural importance of this project's environment is yet unknown. The aim of “Protecting the Marshes and Shore-Line of The Azmak” project which started in June 2012 and ended in June 2013 was to held inclusive and exemplary activities to protect the Teos ancient city marshes and rehabilitate the shoreline.
At the same time, it is aimed to raise awareness among the local community on the importance of these areas, and also to integrate the local community into the land protection and preservation.
For this purpose, Wooden Information Center was formed to conduct the long term works that are to be done for the protection of the shorelines ecosystem.
In addition, informative and cautionary signboards were settled trough the operational field. An inventory was to build up to determine the birds and flora population.
This project in Seferihisar which is the first ‘slow city’ of Turkey is a unique work in which archaeological stature and biological richness is considered and planned together.
As Seferihisar has joined the Cittaslow Network, a great interest and support is given to the project by the local community which had many activities in the field of nature friendliness and biological sustainability.
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Editor: Faik Uyanık
Assistant: Nazife Ece
Intern: Nihan Cabbaroğlu
Contributors to this issue: Birce Albayrak Coşkun, Ceyda Alpay, Deniz Tapan, Gökmen Argun, Gönül Sulargil, Leyla Şen, Pelin Kihtir Öztürk
© 2013 UNDP Turkey
All rights of New Horizons are reserved to UNDP Turkey. Any use of information should be accompanied by an acknowledgment of New Horizons as the source citing the URL of the article.