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March 2016

Issue: 123

UNDP at 50: World must step up to beat poverty by 2030

Technical and applied trainings in Adana and Antalya on Integrated Forest Management

Technical and applied trainings on carbon focused silvicultural activities, forest fire fighting, pest control and forest management activities were organized in Adana on 8-12 February 2016 and in Antalya on 22-26 February 2016.

Ankara, March 2016

These trainings were held under the “Integrated approach to management of forests in Turkey, with demonstration in high conservation value forests in the Mediterranean region” project.

Participants were from central and provincial staff of General Directorate of Forestry (GDF) (project staff of 5 pilot project districts, 5 regional directorates, research institutes and related departments), national project consultants and UNDP staff. There were some 110 participants for the two training programs.

The objective of the training programs was to ensure the technical and applied training of the participants on carbon focused silvicultural activities, pest control, forest fire fighting and integration of the project activities into forest management plans. In the first two days of the training programs, technical presentations were presented by the project consultants regarding the above mentioned technical subjects.

Third and fourth days of the training programs, applied trainings were given in Pos and Gazipaşa, pilot areas. In addition, during the field trips, implementations conducted in the already determined sample plots were discussed and forthcoming activities were decided and finalized.

Argande’s new collection bears the essence of water

‘Su İyeleri’, which is known as ‘protecting soul of water’ and the most important cults of nature in the Turkish mythology, are coming to the surface, out of water for Argande’s 2016 Spring-Summer Collection. 

Ankara, March 2016

The Introduce (Takdim) collection of Argande is inspired by ‘Su Atası’ and ‘Su İyeleri’, which are important cults of nature, and the collection is prepared to honor the magnificent nature of the water which stays the same in its nature although it changes and transforms.

It is believed that ‘Su Atası’ and ‘Su İyeleri’ live in an underwater castle, which is reached only by hidden passages between giant rocks under the depths of water. It is told that ‘Su Ata’, which is the God of Water in Turkish, Tatar and Altai Mythologies, does not tolerate people who pollutes the water, therefore this mythological creature does never go up to the surface of the water.

‘Su İyeleri’ are mythical characters that changes its shape. They are tasked by ‘Su Atası’ to protect the source of water and therefore named the protecting souls of water. ‘Su İyeleri’ expect people living nearby the water to be respectful to the water they are protecting.

Argande’s new collection brings the traditional ceremony back to life which had been told in mythological stories.

This collection intends to bring water, indispensable to all living creatures and source of life, together with the Argande woman.

Argande woman will give life to the collection comprised by water green, yellow, white and silver colors. Argande woman will do water sports on the dams on the Southeast Anatolia, for the concept shooting of the collection.  

Colors used in Introduce (Takdim) have symbolic meanings. Yellow represents the sun, green for water, white for clouds, silver for the fish.

Kutnu, an important fabric from Southeast Anatolia, will breathe new life to the collection.

Introduce (Takdim) is designed by Hatice Gökçe and Zehra Zülfikar. It is a Summer Collection brings comfort and naturality together via using only natural wincyettes and cozy coupes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trainings on gender equality and reproductive health delivered to men and women

In Kilis, Gaziantep and Adıyaman, we came together with women and men to deliver trainings on ‘Reproductive Health and Gender Equality’ with the support of Multi-purpose Community Centers. 

Ankara, March 2016

They were organized under the framework of ‘Innovations for Women's Empowerment in Southeast Anatolia’ project, which is implemented by the Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration with the technical support of UNDP and financial support of SIDA.

Women who comes to Multi-purpose Community Centers and who represents NGOs joined these trainings in Kilis, Gaziantep and Adıyaman. The trainings were also given to men sitting in coffeehouses in these cities.

The trainings aimed to empower women’s capacity to involve in social life. They were given to women in the morning and to men in the afternoon. 198 women and 56 men joined the trainings.

The content of the trainings were developed with the experiences from the previous trainings on reproductive health and gender equality. A genuine approach was developed for the trainings given to men in coffeehouses.

The trainings aimed to inform participants about reproductive health and gender equality; to achieve behavioral change; to collect necessary information for analyzing the attitudes and behaviors of target groups with the methods used.

Jan Eliasson, UN Deputy Secretary-General, visited Gaziantep

Jan Eliasson, UN Deputy Secretary-General, visited Gaziantep, on the Syrian border, to visit refugee facilities in the area and meet with local authorities.  He also met with the Syrians who had vocational trainings in Gaziantep in the context of project on “Mitigating the Impact of Syrian Crisis on Southeast Anatolia Region”. 

Ankara, March 2016

The project targets towns bordering with Syria; Gaziantep and Sanliurfa, where a high concentration of Syrian refugees reside. These areas are highly impacted by the sudden influx of the Syrian refugees, especially in the management of waste disposal, which was not equipped to accommodate additional needs created by the refugees, and where there is a need for increased income opportunities and livelihoods for these communities.

Through vocational trainings for industry and service sector, it is aimed to assist refugees to increase their skills, which will end up enhancement in their employability. Hence, their livelihood will be improved wherever they live in the short and long run.

Jan Eliasson visited the Glass Ornament Object Producing and Painting Course which provides an opportunity for an income particularly for women, considering the challenges relating to employment of Syrians. During his visit Jan Elliasson stated that; “I am impressed. Everybody in this class including Syrian trainees smiling”

Current production capacity of the Glass Ornament in the region is 10 percent of the demand for the local market. Successful trainees are expected to produce goods at their shops or at their houses to sell to the region. Within the framework of the project, online product market is planned to reach to the market.

Mitigating the Impact of Syrian Crisis on Southeast Anatolia Region Project is funded by the European Union and implemented by Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) , Southeastern Anatolia Development Project Regional Development Administration (GAP RDA), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in cooperation with Gaziantep Metropolitan Metropolitan Municipality (GBB), Gaziantep Chamber of Industry and Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality (ŞBB).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteer for Energy Efficiency!

Would you like to contribute to more efficient use of energy and participate in a six-month study of tracking energy consumption of electrical household appliances?

Ankara, March 2016

All you have to do is filling out a questionnaire and connect tracking device to your refrigerator/deep freeze, washing machine, dishwasher, oven, TV, air conditioner and lightning devices.

This study, which is conducted under the framework of “Promoting Energy Efficiency in Buildings” project, will analyze energy consumption caused by the household appliances and lightning we use at home. “Promoting Energy Efficiency in Buildings” project is implemented by the General Directorate of Renewable Energy, together with UNDP.

This tracking program aims to identify the distribution of electricity consumption among these devices at homes, to see the seasonal changes in electricity consumption, to determine the change in consumption in accordance with the profile of the household and, as a result, to develop an awareness strategy which will improve the usage habits of these devices.

All personal information filled in the questionnaire will be CONFIDENTIAL.

As a result of the questionnaire, if you would like to participate to this tracking study and you are selected, your electricity bill for January 2016 will be refunded by the project budget provided that you submitted the bill or payment document. 

In addition, the results of the study will be shared with the participants as one report. The tracking device provided for the study does neither damage the devices it is connected to nor increase the electricity consumption of your devices.

Please kindly send the filled questionnaires until 14 March 2016 to asli.karabacak@undp.org.

Mark the questions that you don’t know answers to as the following: (-)

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turkish language and vocational training courses for Syrians started in Gaziantep

Turkish language courses and general and technical vocational training courses for Syrians are started in February 2016 within the context of the project on “Mitigating the Negative Impacts of Syrian Crisis in South-Eastern Anatolian Region”.  All the courses are provided by GASMEK that was founded within Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. 

Ankara, March 2016

The Project on Mitigating the Negative Impacts of Syrian Crisis in South-Eastern Anatolian Region is carried out by GAP Regional Development Administrative, AFAD and UNDP with the financial support of European Union in cooperation with Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, Gaziantep Chamber of Industry, and Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality. 

The trainings for service sector and Turkish language course are provided free of charge through GASMEK canters (Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Artistic and Occupational Training Courses) within the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality. 

Arabic translation service is provided during the vocational occupational training courses that are open for Syrians. 

Courses will continue until December 31, 2016.

 

For detailed information:

http://www.gasmek.org.tr  

Turkish Language Courses and The Centers

  • İNCİLİKAYA COURSE CENTRE

İncilikaya Mah. 4 Nolu Cad. No:24 (Bülbülzade İlkokulu Arkası), Şehitkamil

Tel: 342 225 3927

  • NİZİP COURSE CENTRE

Mimarsinan Mah. Damla Sok. No:48, Nizip

Tel: 0342 517 64 23

  • YAVUZELİ COURSE CENTRE

Turgut Özal Mh. Cezaevi Sk. No:2 Sosyal Hizmetler Merkezi, Yavuzeli

Tel: 0342 641 21 87

  • GAZİKENT COURSE CENTRE

Burak Mah. 36 Nolu Cad. No:27 (Göllüce Sağlık Ocağı Bitişiği), Şehitkamil

Tel: 0342 241 48 42

  • NARLITEPE COURSE CENTRE

Narlıtepe Mah. 35 Nolu sk. No:47, Şahinbey

Tel: 0342 271 31 87

  • PERİLİKAYA COURSE CENTRE

Perilikaya Mah.26 Nolu Cad.45 Nolu Sok. Şahinbey (2 Nolu Park)

Tel: 0342 225 52 61

 

The Modules for Vocational Trainings and The Centers

GAZİKENT GASMEK

Burak Mah.36 Nolu Cad.No:27 (Göllüce Sağlık Ocağı Bitişiği), Şehitkamil

Tel: 0342 241 48 42

  • Cook Apprentice
  • Pastry Cook Apprentice
  • Gaziantep Cuisine
  • Child Nutrition

ŞEHİT ÜSTEĞMEN HAKAN ÖZCAN GASMEK

Karaoğlan Mah. Tüfekçi Yusuf Bul. No:56 (Eski Tekel Binası), Şehitkamil

Tel: 0342 225 22 32

  • Make Up
  • General Care
  • Temporary and Permanent Hair Shaping

PERİLİKAYA GASMEK

Perilikaya Mah. 26 Nolu Cad. 45 Nolu Sok. Şahinbey (2 Nolu Park)

Tel: 0342 225 52 61

  • Fabric Dyeing
  • Weaving Confection Mechanic
  • Kutnu Fabric Weaving

NARLITEPE GASMEK

Narlıtepe Mah. 35 nolu sk.No :47, Şahinbey

Tel: 0342 271 31 87

  • Conscious Pregnancy and Baby Care
  • Wood Shaping
  • Computer Usage
  • Computer System Maintenance Reparation
  • Rug Motif Drawing on Computer

ESKİ ADLİYE BİNASI

Çukur Mah. Hürriyet Cad. Şahinbey

  • Glass Knickknack, Bead and Dyeing

 

THE COURSES ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE GIVEN HEADLINES. NEW COURSES MAY BE OPENED DEPENDING ON REQUEST.

  • Printing
  • Welding
  • Auto electric
  • Installation work
  • Natural gas installation
  • Security systems installation
  • Computer repair
  • Use of  computer software
  • Construction (wall construction, plastering, etc.)
  • Electric-electronic maintenance and repair
  • Solar energy systems

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First step for supporting Development of a Policy Framework for Total Factor Productivity in Turkey

First focus group meetings were held on 26th and 29th January in Ankara in the context of “Support to Development of a Policy Framework for Total Factor Productivity in Turkey” project which aims to improve the contribution of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) to growth.

Ankara, March 2016

The Project aims to reach and interact with a wide range of stakeholders from public sector to private sector covering policy makers and business. It is targeted to reach 3,000 companies through surveys and more than 40 institutional stakeholders.

Therefore, focus group meetings were held in order to provide field surveys with the information gathered from the participants.

“The Government Agencies Focus Group” meeting of the project was held on 26th January. There were nine research questions presented to the participants. Eight predefined questions were brought up to the floor by the research team and one was suggested by a participant during the session. The total number of factors was up to 42 from the predefined 22 by the additional factors raised during the discussions.

The participants were asked to choose 5 research questions (out of the total 9) and mark as many factors as they want to be inquired about in the field surveys if it involved factors in performing the research. 26 responses were received in total from the participants and listeners.

“The Private Sector and NGO Focus Group” meeting of the project was held on 29th January. The participants were asked about their opinion on the industrial sector selection criteria and the cross sectoral factors effecting TFP.

For the TFP factors, the participants suggested 7 additional factors to be added to the 16 already presented to them. In terms of the industrial sector selection to focus on, participants suggested four more to the already presented seven. A long list of research objectives were identified by the focus group meetings and theoretical studies.

As a next step the first meeting of the Working Group will be organized and the participants will be discussing the narrowing of the long list of research objectives and the findings of the secondary research for the selection of the manufacturing industries to be surveyed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNDP at 50: World must step up to beat poverty by 2030

Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals is only possible with a broad coalition of leaders from government, civil society, multilaterals and the private sector, said Helen Clark, Administrator of UNDP on the eve of a major Ministerial Meeting to mark the organisation’s 50th anniversary.

Ankara, March 2016

Cevdet Yılmaz, Turkish Minister of Development also participated to the Ministerial Meeting.

The SDGs are the 17 ambitious goals that set out the world’s development agenda between now and 2030, and include a commitment to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and spread peace and justice.

“Government leadership is vital for achieving the SDGs, together with partnerships with civil society, the private sector, philanthropy and the multilateral system. Working together, we can achieve our goals of a world which is free of poverty and inequality,” Helen Clark said.

“Using the Sustainable Development Goals as our guide, a world where economies and societies are more inclusive can be built, and the planet can be protected from the worst effects of climate change and other forms of environmental degradation,” she added.

Clark noted that UNDP is well placed to play a critical role in achieving the SDGs after 50 years on the frontlines of global development. In that half-century, UNDP has helped build institutions, increase resilience, and support countries as they implement vital reforms. It also continues to lead the co-ordination of the essential work of the UN system.

“Our work has contributed to major development gains in many countries around the world. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, the UNDP recommits itself to this task,” Clark said.

To mark the anniversary, more than 80 Ministers from across the world met in the United Nations General Assembly in New York on February 24 to chart a course for the future of global development.

Ministers were involved in high-level debates on how to translate ambitious global commitments – from financing development, eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, addressing climate change and building peace – into concrete action and results. They shared their visions on making the SDGs a reality, building a more prosperous, fair, and inclusive world for all. For more information on the Ministerial Meeting – including a list of participating ministers – please click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sustainable Tourism and Development

An Example of Regional Cooperation

The Organic Agriculture Cluster Project in the Southeast Anatolia Region is being implemented by Southeast Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration (GAP RDA) in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Ankara, March 2016

GAP Regional Development Administration, Promotes to the World the Region’s Organic Products at World's leading trade fair for organic food BIOFACH (International Organic Agriculture Fair).

GAP Regional Development Administration signed BIOFACH Fair Cooperation Protocol with Dicle, İpekyolu and Karacadağ Regional Development Agencies. Since 2013 the project is attending BIOFACH Fair as with its stakeholders from the region. In BIOFACH 2016 the project is promoting various products such as; olive oil, pomegranate juice, almond, cotton, lentil, mulberry, honey and pectin from our region with its stakeholders from governmental institutions, development agencies, production unions, private companies and the universities.

To develop marketing strategies, competitiveness and sustainability of the organic cluster it is crucial to maintain promotion and coordination of local product producers. In this context, in order to be integrated into world markets attending this fair plays great role for promoting local products and establishing international cooperation.

BIOFACH takes place for the 27th year in succession. Around 50.000 visitors expected to attend this year.

A Souvenir from Safranbolu

Inclusive, Sustainable and Resilient Growth for Southeastern Anatolia Region

Reducing the Impact of Syrian Crisis in Southeastern Anatolia Region Project

Vacancies at UNDP in Turkey

 

To see all vacancies, click here.

Contributors

Editor: Faik Uyanık
Assistant: Nazife Ece
Intern: Alp Güneş
Contributors to this issue: Aslı Karabacak, Deniz Tapan

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