Issue: 85
We have seized many opportunities with our salient achievements during 2012.
We took major steps to advance economic and social progress and to build solid foundations for sustainable development and long-term peace.
The first Global Human Development Forum which was held in Istanbul on March 2012 was one of these major steps aiming at ensuring real, deliverable results at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012.
The outcome of the Forum, Istanbul Declaration stressed the need to maintain progress towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals in 2015, while building a consensus for a new post-2015 global framework.
The Rio+20 Conference in June 2012 took us further along the path towards a sustainable world of dynamic growth, shared prosperity and environmental protection.
Rio+20 Conference with its outcome document called ‘the Future We Want’ was a landmark conference setting the stage of future global development agenda after Millennium Development Goals after 2015.
Although the world has come a long way since 2000 with MDG targets, there is still a long way to go in putting seven billion people into the centre of development and in adopting genuinely people centered approach into how we work towards sustainable development goals.
Post-2015 development agenda
Hence, a new development approach has been developed in the post-2015 discussions based on sustainable human development for a tolerant, prosperous equitable and just world.
Turkey is one of the specifically selected countries to help contribute to the formulation of post- 2015 development agenda for which consultations and discussions have already been initiated.
For the purpose, stakeholders from all sections of the society involving government, civil society, the private sector, academia and research institutions from all regions, are able to participate in the consultations.
9 thematic meetings, 4 Youth Summits and 4 regional meetings have already been held in Turkey where wide stakeholder participation was ensured.
We have also visited three universities in different parts of Turkey where we held a seminar called ‘Through to Agenda of Development After 2015: What kind of future you want?’
We had had a very positive and enthusiastic discussion in each university about post-2015 development agenda by a wide range of audiences from the academia and the students.
Turkey and Least Developed Countries
If the world cannot solve the problems of billions who suffer from poverty, diseases and other ills of the world, global peace that we pursue can never be achieved.
In this sense, 2012 was an important year that Turkey has emerged as an important development partner of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Turkey, in partnership with UNDP and UN agencies, has intensified its leadership during this year in the area of support to LDCs.
UNDP and Turkey are now discussing how to cooperate on the ground in specific LDCs, where both Turkey and UNDP run assistance programs.
UNDP's strategy
UNDP’s strategy consists of policy advocacy as much as it does community empowerment.
It actively supports sustainable policy development and implementation at national and local government levels through developing knowledge products, sharing international and regional experiences, and publicizing best practices.
Today, the reality of budget constraints in many countries and the range of challenges to development make resource mobilization particularly salient.
Resource mobilization needs to be placed within the broader context of securing adequate and sustainable financing for development.
Hence, well targeted and predictable ODA, consistent with country priorities and systems, remains critical for meeting the MDGs.
But achieving the MDGs will also require more domestic financing. Sustained MDG progress demands, for example, more and better trained teachers and health workers, which triggers a permanent increase in spending.
I hope we will see more renewed efforts especially around sustainable development and global prosperity in all countries as well as in Turkey.
I take this opportunity to wish people around the world, a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year, 2013.
* Shahid Najam, UNDP Resident Representative in Turkey and UN Resident Coordinator in Turkey
The Match Against Poverty which is played annually was live broadcasted by CNN Turk in Turkey. The match was also live broadcasted by many TV channels in different parts of the world.
The Match Against Poverty, which was held in Switzerland for the first time in 2003, took place this year, at the Gremio Arena - with the capacity of 60 thousand people - in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
All tickets for the match had already been sold out days in advance.
In Tenth Match Against Poverty, UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo was the team captains and 40 world-renowned footballers, such as Alex and Roberto Carlos who played football in Turkey, took the field.
The match is supported by both governing body of football, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
The event raised funds through ticket sales, sponsorship and broadcast rights to support projects to help reduce poverty in Brazil and Africa.
Match Against Poverty, with the motto ‘Let us be a team to end the poverty’, was organized with the initiative of Ronaldo and Zidane who are UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors.
Match Against Poverty has been supporting many aid projects since 2003, when the first match was held.
Last year’s Match Against Poverty, which took place in Hamburg, Germany, raised more than USD 100.000 for humanitarian and relief operations in the Horn of Africa.
UNDP Associate Administrator Rebeca Grynspan, who represented UNDP at the match, clarified that their goal with Tenth Match Against Poverty is to raise awareness of 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty around the world.
The agreement, which focuses on Turkey’s role as a global development partner, was a landmark achievement signaling the new stage of Turkey’s relationship with the largest development organization of the United Nations system.
On December 3rd, the Government of Turkey led by Ambassador Mehmet Gücük, Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS met in Ankara to take stock of what UNDP and Turkey have achieved together under the partnership.
Achievements are visible
Turkey, in partnership with UNDP and UN agencies, has taken leadership in the area of support to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), by hosting the Fourth International Conference on LDCs in Istanbul in May 2011.
UNDP and Turkey are now discussing how to cooperate on the ground in specific LDCs, where both Turkey and UNDP run assistance programs.
UNDP and Turkey have also agreed to cooperate on the formulation of the new development goals (the post-2015 agenda), building on the role the Mayor of Istanbul is playing in the UN Secretary General’s High Level Panel on this subject.
UNDP will also work with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Turkey prepares to take leadership in the G20 in 2015.
Creation of the Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development
The most visible result of the new strategic partnership between Turkey and UNDP has been the creation of the Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development.
The Center will also serve as a hub for information sharing and training, as well as sharing of Turkey’s successful track record in private sector involvement in development issues.
The parties agreed to focus future actions to more directly support LDCs engage more closely on the Post 2015 development agenda and sustainable development.
The global community has started to discuss the necessity of transformation to a green economy in order to secure the realization of sustainable development.
In Turkey, within the national consultation process at the edge of defining post 2015 development agenda, UN organizes meetings on nine thematic areas.
Approximately 50 participants representing civil society organizations, private sector and academia, discussed ‘environmental sustainability’, challenges of Turkey in this regard and formulated suggestions in light of MDGs as well as Rio+20 outcomes from a national perspective.
Challenges and suggestions drafted by the participants include, inter alia, shifting the mind settings of people to comprehend the risks of new and emerging challenges such as climate change and economic crisis in order to increase resilience of nations and the globe.
Suggestions also include defining appropriate sustainable development goals with clear targets which is accessible by the civil society and other actors for monitoring reasons, and establishment of local sustainable development committees.
Apple officially launched its iTunes store for Turkey along with Russia, India, South Africa and 52 other countries.
New Horizons podcasts of UNDP Turkey became the number one in its category as it is the most downloaded among around 150 different podcasts within the same category offered by iTunes Turkey.
Here is the link for top podcasts list.
Here is the website link where there is a list of podcasts by popularity.
Facebook and Twitter pages of the Project became a beaten track for the ones who are interested in titles like marine and coastal protected areas, ecosystem and environmental protection, although they are newly in service.
Internet website is renewed
Project’s internet website at www.dka.gov.tr has also been renewed.
The website includes detailed and comprehensive information about the project, Turkey’s marine values, endangered species, reports and publications as well as impressive photographs taken underwater and coasts and links to the related institutions and establishments.
Designed by leading stylists in Turkey and manufactured by Southeastern women, products of Argande designs are offered in Markafoni websites for two days between 19 and 21 December.
Argande is created within the project of Innovations for Women’s Empowerment in the GAP Region which was implemented jointly by UNDP Turkey and the GAP Regional Development Administration and with financing from the Swedish development agency, SIDA.
There had been a special photo shoot with renowned model Sema Şimşek for this campaign in Markafoni.
Sema Şimşek dressed with Argande outfits with Anatolian authentic fabrics and original ornaments posed to the photographer Bayazıt Şimşek.
There have been outfits belonging to old seasons and also new season in the campaign lasted two days.
Brand backed by famous fashion designers
The brand takes its name from Argande, which is the only Goddess of Kommagene Kingdom that ruled on Mesopotamia Territories.
Under brand coordination of Hatice Gökçe, leading designers of the sector develop clothes and accessories for the brand and Southeastern women manufactures.
Argande combines Anatolian motifs and local fabrics, like Kutnu Shawl used by Ottoman sultans with modern design.
The meeting in Istanbul focused primarily on issues related to good governance as a cross cutting element of efficiency.
Japan proposed to establish the Post-MDGs Contact Group to deepen the discussion over international goals beyond 2015.
These goals beyond 2015 continue the Millennium Development Goals agenda with governments and private sector partners accelerating efforts of the last 12 years to reduce poverty and inequality and bridging these achievements with new development aspirations and targets to be pursued beyond 2015.
In setting out his vision for developing a post-2015 agenda, the Secretary General (SG) announced that the United Nations (UN) will advocate for and facilitate a bottom-up and inclusive approach defined by national and local priorities.
Discussions are on-going on institutional arrangements so as to provide a coherent approach for the post-2015 agenda.
UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator Shahid Najam focused on the process of post 2015 development agenda within global and national perspective, in his speech titled “Through to Agenda of Development After 2015: What kind of future you want?”.
Shahid Najam focused on current status of Millennium Development Goals which was launched in 2000 and he elaborated on the national consultations process in Turkey within the framework of post 2015 development agenda.
After Shahid Najam’s presentation, there was a lively discussion with the participants about the development agenda after 2015 with the moderator, Associate Prof. Dr. Lütfü Öztürk from Karadeniz Technical University.
The university tour of post 2015 development agenda is going to be organized in more than 10 universities in Turkey during the whole year.
The tour aims to have a discussion with the university students and academicians about the post 2015 development process and have their views and thoughts on the ‘Future They Want’ after 2015.
In this way, the tour aims to contribute to the national consultations process in Turkey which has launched within the framework of post 2015 development agenda.
2013 Human Development Report will examine the profound shift in global dynamics that is being driven by the fast-rising powers of the developing world - and the implications of this phenomenon for human development.
China has already overtaken Japan as the world’s second biggest economy, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty in the process.
India is actively reshaping its future with entrepreneurial creativity and social policy innovation.
Brazil has become another major engine of growth for the South, while reducing inequality at home through antipoverty programs that are emulated worldwide.
Turkey, Thailand, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia and other dynamic developing nations are also leading actors on the world stage today, offering important policy lessons and valuable new partnerships for the South as a whole, including today’s least developed countries.
Special Contribution from the Turkish Minister of Development
Looking ahead at the critical long-term challenges now facing the international community, from inequality to sustainability to global governance, the 2013 Report identifies policies and institutional reforms reflecting the new reality of the rising South that could promote greater human progress throughout the world for decades to come.
The 2013 Human Development Report includes special contributions on the topic from Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, Japan International Cooperation President Akihiko Tanaka, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Turkish Minister of Development, Cevdet Yılmaz, among others.
The 2013 Report will feature an updated Human Development Index (HDI) as well as the Report’s three complementary indices: the Inequality-adjusted HDI, the Gender Inequality Index (GII) and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
Reversion to the original HDR publication schedule with its publication on March 2013 permits inclusion of the most current statistical indicators in the HDI, as these become available from the main international data providers in the previous year’s final quarter.
This schedule also provides greater opportunities for discussion of the Report’s key findings and messages over the course of the year.
Delegates reportedly agreed to extend the Kyoto Protocol, whose first commitment period expires at the end of this year, until 2020.
Under the Protocol, 37 States – consisting of highly industrialized countries and countries undergoing the process of transition to a market economy – have legally binding emission limitation and reduction commitments.
“Doha successfully concluded the previous round of climate negotiations, paving the way to a comprehensive, legally binding agreement by 2015,” said a statement issued by Mr. Ban's spokesperson.
Recent UN-led reports have pointed to the urgency of keeping global average temperatures from rising beyond an internationally agreed level of 2 degrees Celsius, beyond which climate change would have serious impacts.
Mr. Ban expressed his expectations about progress on long-term climate finance, and ensuring that the institutions set up during previous conferences in Cancun and Durban to support mitigation and adaptation by developing countries.
In addition, the Secretary-General expected governments to demonstrate, with no ambiguity, that negotiations on a global and legally binding instrument remain on track, and to show how they intend to act on the gap between mitigation pledges and what is required to achieve the 2 degrees target.
UNDP Turkey’s “Innovations of Women’s Empowerment in the GAP Region” project aims to increase women’s participation in the labour force, re-brand South East Anatolia and create new opportunities for sales and marketing.
Local women’s products are being sold under the brand name: Argande, the ancient goddess of the Southeast Anatolia. Several top designers of Turkey support the project voluntarily.
This week, among these products, the “Kutnu Shawl” of designer Sibel Tan was featured by the Wall Street Journal as a Christmas gift suggestion under the title of “feel-good scarf”.
Kutnu is an ancient type of a local fabric of the Southeast Anatolia which has been revived by Argande project among other initiatives.
The manager of the project, Gönül Sulargil, says they are now working with full capacity to be able to meet the demand until the holiday time.
Wall Street Journal link: http://graphicsweb.wsj.com/documents/image_grid/?slug=ODgg1201
Management plan is one of the most important tools for the effective management of the national park.
With the approval of the management plan, sub plans and strategies like “Visitor Management Plan”, “Ecosystem Based Multifunctional Forest Management Plan”, and “Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy” implementations are in action.
Before the management plan approval, in November, General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, 10th Regional Directorate and Küre Mountains National Park Directorate have organized “Certificated Local Guide Training”.
The training was organized in 3 different regions of the park’s buffer zone: Kastamonu Cide and Pınarbaşı sub provinces, and Bartın centre.
Academicians, experts, and General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks staff have lectured on introduction to nature conservation, practices in Turkey, and specifically on values of Küre Mountains National Park.
After the lectures, applied techniques on a fieldwork were implemented at the last week of the training, which enabled participants to see different parts and trekking routes of the national park.
“Certificated Local Guide Training” finalized with a final exam, resulting in 65 certificated local guides for Küre Mountains National Park.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon indicated that everyone must take an effort to achieve the targets established in UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Ban also added that: “Taking into consideration that there are one billion people with disabilities in the world, it is obvious how crucial it is to remove these barriers.”
Ban Ki-moon stressed that societies which value multi-culturalism and inclusiveness need to eliminate discrimination and exclusion.
Ban indicated that there are promises made in good faith which are waiting to be realized for a long time.
He said that, in order to have rapid progress on this area, the UN General Assembly will hold a high-level panel next year.
In this meeting which will be around the same time period with the determination post 2015 development agenda, rights, concerns and the contribution of people with disabilities will be discussed in depth.
Social Inclusion Band Concert for International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Social Inclusion Band where Dreams Academy brings together socially disabled youth with volunteer musicians and with the slogan “Art-ist has no barrier!’, took stage on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Social Inclusion Band, which took stage on Ortaköy Square for the special programme for the Week of People with Disabilities organized by the Municipality of Beşiktaş, drew intense interest.
United Nations Turkey aims to contribute to a more inclusive post 2015 Development Agenda via this Instagram competition along with its online survey.
Everyone can participate to the competition to make their own contribution to post 2015 Development Agenda with their photos.
At the end, there will be an exhibition consisting of selected photos taken by mobile devices, about nine thematic areas of post 2015 Development Agenda.
The participants can send photos about thematic areas as much as they want.
Only thing one need to do is to upload these photos on Instagram using the #2015sonrasi hashtag.
The photos which are in compliance with the rules of competition will also be uploaded on www.2015sonrasi.org blog.
For detailed information: www.2015sonrasi.org
The new portal of UNDP, open.undp.org, comprises comprehensive programmatic information o more than 6,000 active UNDP projects.
Users can sort projects by focus areas, funding sources, and locations and extract detailed data related to budgets, implementing organizations, and targeted results in areas from governance and rule of law to crisis prevention and recovery.
UNDP created the portal as part of its implementation of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). Beginning in 2013, updates on all UNDP’s ongoing development projects will be published quarterly.
“Transparency is a top priority for UNDP and a vital element in maintaining the trust vested in us by the public and our partners. This online portal enables the public to track aid and helps our partners manage their resources more effectively,” UNDP Administrator Helen Clark said.
“We are committed to working in the open, and we will continue improving the quality, quantity, and timeliness of our reporting so that our partners can monitor their investments in fighting poverty, supporting human development, and securing a sustainable future for all.” Helen Clark added.
Ministry of Forestry and Water Works, General Directorate of Forestry is working in close collaboration with UNDP Turkey for the implementation of the project which is supported by the British Embassy.
The first phase of the project will be completed in the first half of 2013.
Forests are playing a key role for integrating environment and natural resources not only into climate change mitigation and adaptation strategy of Turkey, but also into biodiversity protection and poverty reduction of the country.
In maintaining high water quality, forests make their most significant contribution to the supply of water. Forests also play a role in water availability.
At the same time, forests may influence the timing of water delivery by maintaining and improving soil infiltration and the soil's water-storage capacity.
As highlighted by Rio+20, water is one of the seven critical issues for a sustainable future. Sustainable forest management is of vital importance for the supply of good-quality fresh water, protection from natural hazards like floods or soil erosion, and for combating desertification.
Turkey’s forests constitute about 26% of the country’s land area and are managed with ecosystem based multi-functional forest management plan which identifies 10 years long forestry activities for every single unit of forest directorates.
Rüstem Kırış, Head the Forest Administration and Planning Directorate of GDF said that “With the project we aim to develop a deeper understanding of the potential consequences of climate change on forest and water interactions, including desertification and biodiversity loss.”
Once the project is implemented, sustainable forest - water management principles and practices in the General Directorate of Forestry’s strategy, action plan and relevant policies will be mainstreamed and approved.
Methods for restoration of degraded forests, particularly in floodplains and upper watershed areas for the benefit of the water environment, flood reduction, conservation of biodiversity and soil protection identified to increase adaptive capacity to climate change and contribute to its mitigation.
Outputs of the project will enhance Turkey’s effectiveness in international and regional forestry platforms, and enable the experience and knowledge on forest and water interactions to share with other countries.
In the final declaration of the Mediterranean MPA forum, it is underlined that the Mediterranean Sea and the services provided by its ecosystems are a common natural heritage which comes on top of the region’s cultural heritage.
It is also mentioned that the commitments made on a regional level by Mediterranean countries provide a solid foundation for establishing a network of MPAs in the Mediterranean.
However, it is also emphasized that stronger political commitment, further effort on a national level as well as greater cooperation, coordination and mutual assistance on a Mediterranean level are needed.
Four strategic objectives determined
The strategic objectives of the 2020 roadmap are also reflected in the declaration.
The objectives are defined as; “Establish an ecological network of MPAs which is representative and connected”, “Achieve an effective, efficient and sustainable management and good governance in Mediterranean MPAs”, “Develop territorially and sectorially integrated governance of Mediterranean MPAs while promoting the sharing of environmental and socio-economic benefits” and “Increase the allocation of financial resources to establish and maintain an ecological network of effectively managed MPAs”.
Strengthening the System of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas of Turkey Project is funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and being implemented by the General Directorate for Protection of Natural Assets (GDPNA) of the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization in partnership with the General Directorate for Nature Conservation and National Parks (GDNCNP) of the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, together with the General Directorate of General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock.
The United Nations Development Program Turkey (UNDP Turkey) is the implementing partner of the project.
During the technical tour, bilateral discussions have been hold within the framework of such main topics as; “Sustainability in Buildings”, “Sustainable Building Solutions and Practices”, “Energy Efficiency in Buildings”, “Energy Management in Buildings” and “Financing of Energy Efficiency in Buildings”.
Representatives of Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, Ministry of National Education, General Directorate of Renewable Energy and TOKI have been participated to the technical tour.
The main focus areas covered during the technical tour were performing on-site examinations of the building practices accomplished within the context of the sustainability in buildings approach and performing informative activities about the integration of sustainable building concept into the Turkey’s conditions.
During the study tour, many participants were contacted to exchange ideas and to create contacts, hence the UNDP/GEF Project for “Promoting Energy Efficiency In Buildings In Turkey” was also promoted at these networking opportunities.
The study tour was also very beneficial for the participants regarding the observation of similar buildings in other countries and having discussions on the applicability of similar approaches in Turkey.
Promoting Energy Efficiency in Buildings Project
Promoting Energy Efficiency in Buildings Project aims to reduce energy consumption and associated GHG emissions in buildings in Turkey by raising building energy performance standards, improving enforcement of building codes, enhancing building energy management and introducing the use of an integrated building design approach.
The project is being executed by General Directorate of Renewable Energy (YEGM) of Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. UNDP is the implementing agency of the project which is financially supported by Global Environment Facility (GEF), The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, and Ministry of National Education are other partners of the project.
In this part, we talk about a documentary called ‘Why Poverty?’ which is broadcasted all around the world at the same time.
New Horizons (N.H.): This is the New Horizons Podcast of United Nations Development Programme Turkey. In this week’s programme, we talk about a documentary, called ‘Why Poverty?’ which released at the same time all over the world. Our contributor is Aslı Öymen, Programme Coordinator of CNN Turk Channel which is the broadcaster of this documentary in Turkey. The documentary was broadcasted in late November for the first time and it will continue for two months. This documentary series were broadcast by 70 television channels in 70 countries. So, how did Aslı Öymen, Programme Coordinator of CNN Turk, find out this documentary and how did it affect her?
Aslı Öymen (A.Ö.): Firstly, I saw this documentary purely by chance. I run across this documentary in the Broadcasters Fair in Cannes. I saw a flyer, saying ‘Why Poverty?’ in the crowd. And suddenly it drew my attention. I took the flyer and saw that there were eight documentaries. In fact, it is not just a documentary series; it is a worldwide media event. In this media event, seventy television channel broadcast the first episode of this documentary at the same time in seventy countries. The name of it is ‘ Why Poverty?’. The purpose of this documentary series and this event is to draw attention to poverty in the world; get people closer to this subject; make people think about it and create awareness. I was interested in because it doesn’t look like the nature, science and history documentaries that we used to broadcast; it is different. From time to time, it is a hard sharp documentary; there are some violent images in it. But this is a very important issue. In fact, poverty is the most important issue in the world; it is a global problem. This documentary is an initiative to draw attention to it. CNN Turk decided to become a part of this initiative.
N.H.: 'Why Poverty?' documentary series consists of ten short films and eight feature-length film. Each documentary tells a different story, and each section is prepared by different directors and producers. The basic question of documentaries is very clear: 'Why poverty?'
A.Ö.: Why does the poverty exist in the world? There is great inequality and injustice in the world in front of everything. The structural solutions are required to solve the problem. So, the simple charity, such as taking money somewhere and put it somewhere else, doesn’t bring lasting solutions. For example, we see it in this documentary. There is poverty also in US where we think it is so rich. This is a very great poverty. There is poverty all over the world. For example, in US, one million six hundred thousand homeless children are sleeping here and there. This is a great problem. Russia, as well as it is, there's also a million homeless children. This is a poverty on its own. Absolute poverty, the number of people who daily income of less than $ 1, is a terrible figure: 1 billion. And, this spring increasingly opens. So as not found the solution to poverty, it is increasingly deepening problem. At this point, someone had to get up and do something. However, this documentary series and its activities perhaps create a public opinion and are counted as a step towards this solution.
N.H.: The first part of the documentary series was broadcasted on Sunday, November 25 2012 at 20:55 in Turkey. The second documentary titled 'Park Avenue 740: Money, Power and the American Dream' was released on December 1.
A.Ö.: We will be releasing these documentaries on Saturdays at 20:55 which is our regular documentary session. The first documentary is called ‘ Give Us The Money’. In fact, the question is ‘ Does it work if you give the money?’ We know that some celebrities such as Bono, Bill Gates, Bob Geldof organize concerts and campaigns to collect money in order to help poor countries for the solution on poverty. But in this documentary, it is discussed that if these collected money works or not. So, is it beneficial to take money somewhere and carry it to somewhere else or not? Which purpose do these campaigns serve? The documentary discuss these.
N.H.: The subjects of the documentaries are very interesting.
A.Ö.: There are eight documentaries. The second one is titled as 'Park Avenue 740'. This is a very interesting documentary as well as its name. How much of inequality is a lot? Okay, we accept that there is an inequality in this system; but how much of it we can tolerate and how much of it we can consider as a lot? It discusses these. ‘Park Avenue 740’ is the story of a apartment 740 on the Park Avenue in New York. Here, America's most wealthy people live. And it tells the situation of South Bronx which is 10 minutes far from there. It displays the people who need to eat; the children who are faced with crime and it reveals the divide between them.
N.H.: The divide and inequality; these are two key word of 'Why Poverty?' documentary.
A.Ö.: Yes, in fact, the documentary tries to explain inequality and the position it took as a permanent issue. On the other hand, It also tells how the lobbyists affect politicians and the behind the scene of the lobbying. So, it explains the inability to get out this situation and how difficult to get out of this system. What is the current situation of poverty? It again mentions on the divide. And actually it mention how the divide between poor and rich got deeper and how it gets chronic. So, the situation we get today is getting more inextricable. Other documentaries are: ‘Land Rush’, ‘ Stealing Africa’ Rafea: Solar Mamas’ and ‘ Welcome to the World’.
N.H.: The director of second section, Alex Gibney is a world renowned documentary director.
A.Ö.: Yes, Alex Gibney is very important director. This director best documentary Oscar as well as Grammies. The documentary that he won Oscar, made a tremendous impact in Turkey too. ‘ Taxi to the Dark Side’ is very important documentary. It is a documentary on prisoners who were put in prisons such as Guatemala by U.S. during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the torture and interrogation methods there.
N.H.: Do these documentaries present solution suggestions for reducing the poverty?
A.Ö.: In fact, some solution suggestions do exist, but the documentaries do not present a specific solution suggestion. Everyone has their own solution. In fact, everyone has different solutions as well as they have different problem.
N.H.: This documentary series are broadcasted on CNN Turk screens. But they continue to be discussed in cnnturk.com and social media such with ‘nedenyoksulluk’ tag on twitter. So that, it provides contribution of people to this discussion and it aims to create a public opinion. You can also contribute to this discussion by using 'yeniufuklar' and 'nedenyoksulluk' tags on Twitter.
A.Ö.: It is aimed to create a global discussion. People must get sensitive to this issue. There is such a thing; there is poverty. This documentary aims to create awareness and discuss solutions in itself.
N.H.: The poverty in Turkey will be presented to public's attention through the online discussions.
A.Ö.: We have talked about eight documentaries and ten short films.These documentaries are not specific to Turkey. They do not contain Turkey. They bring a more global vision. However, we, as CNN Turk, are going to present the poverty in Turkey, solution suggestions and our current situation through our broadcasts during these two months
N.H.: You can watch 'Why Poverty?' documentary on Saturdays at 20:55 on CNN Turk. In this section, we shared the information about 'Why Poverty?' documentary, given by Aslı Öymen, Program Coordinator of CNN Turk. We have come to the end of this program which has been recorded at the studio of Radyo İlef of Ankara University Communications Department. You can follow our program on Açık Radyo (Open Radio) on FM frequency, on Police radio, on university radios in our broadcasting network, on iTunes under podcasts and on undp.org.tr. Our username for social media is undpturkiye. Hope to see you soon, good bye!
In this part, we talk about current global progress regarding Millennium Development Goals and post 2015 Development Agenda, which is being constituted at the present time.
New Horizons (N.H.): This is the New Horizons Podcast of United Nations Development Programme Turkey. In this week’s programme, we talk about current global progress on Millennium Development Goals and the Post 2015 Development Agenda. Our guest is the Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and UNDP Regional Director for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Welcome.
Cihan Sultanoğlu (C.S.): Thank you.
N.H.: Ms. Sultanoğlu, you are the Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and UNDP Regional Director for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. You were appointed to this post by Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator in early 2012. How did you start and what is the next goal?
C.S.: Thank you. I began this post on April. I am familiar with the region. I have been in Lithuania and Belarus as the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations. I served three years in the Bureau as vice-president. Of course still it is very nice, proud and honorary for me to get this assignment. Our region is a very special region because a large part of it is composed of middle-income countries. And many of them have already acquired significant improvement in their development process. But we can still see differences and social inequalities between regions. We need quite a lot studies on effective governance. Besides this, the countries in our region, as middle-income countries, could make great contribution to global development. There are knowledge and experience acquired over the years. I would like to take these from regions and carry them to the countries which are in the beginning of development process. This is one of the greatest dreams of mine. At the same time, the regions are not restricted in their frames in the global world. How could Middle East, Africa, Middle Asia and South America work with and how could the bridges be installed between the various regions? We are going to investigate them and this will create an interesting experience.
N.H.: Actually, before I ask, you mentioned the point where global development agenda reached and the process in the region where you are responsible for. But I will ask again in order to descend the particulars. Millennium Development Goals were determined in 2000 and it ends in 2015. Currently, we are talking about what is going to happen after 2015 in local and global level. Where are we on Millennium Development Goals now and which issues must be emphasized?
C.S.: 2015 is the selected end date for Millennium Development Goals. But unfortunately, this does not mean that until that time we will have reached all the goals. During this period, major improvements have been done and poverty was reduced. Especially in India and China, which are middle-income countries, many people moved up the social ladder and get out of poverty. But other than that, there is a lot more we can do. We need to carry The Millennium Development Goals to a new level after 2015. What have accomplished this 15-year period? What need to be done? And how can we create a new target sequence based on lessons learned? This will be shaped as our sustainable development goals. Unfortunately, in our area, even there has been some decline on some of the Millennium Development Goals. The extreme poverty increased to 19% in 2005 while it was 6% in 1990. Of course, there are great reasons. One of the reasons is the disappearance of the social security net works in the process of transition of Soviet Regime to a new democratic regimes. All of these social security net works need to be created again many countries. There have been some developments on the issues such as the participation of women in the labor force, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health. However, HIV is one of the difficult issues for our region. Unfortunately, this region is still one of the counties leading the rapid growth of HIV. We must continue all of this with a great determination. I hope that in the future we will see all these issues is the sustainable development goals. Now if we carefully look at the larger process of Post 2015, the global energy is in a mechanism. As you know, the United Nations Secretary-General has created a high-level panel. In this regard, Turkey can be proud of itself. Because Mayor of İstanbul, Mr. Topbaş was one the of the panel members. Regarding these, Turkey might have a great effect on the Post 2015 Global Development Agenda.
N.H.: You are responsible for quite a large geography. You are the head of Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States in UNDP. Although different countries have different problems; there are some problems collected in common groups, too. Of course their problems from Soviet Regime reflected to the present. When you look at Turkey, it also has its own development problems. For example, the different countries such as Cyprus and Eastern Europe’s countries, are also included to your geography. Of course, we can say that the increase in food and fuel prices and the financial crisis affect the achievement of these goals. 2015 Development Process continues. This process planned to be transparent, participatory and inclusive. How do you evaluate this process, in terms the region you are responsible for? How will Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States region contribute to this process?
C.S.: Eleven countries in the region were selected for national consultations. One of these countries is Turkey. We, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations, are working on facilitating the national consultations. The best part of them, indeed, that they are addressed as a highly inclusive. All people from each level of society such as civil society and academia will be a part of the national consultations in local and central level. During the process of these discussions, the priorities to be concentrated will be determined for the countries. The Post 2015 consultations are going to work on some thematic issues which were also emphasized by high level panel as I mentioned before.These thematic issues aim to reach somee developments in energy, water, social inclusion, poverty reduction, environment and fragility. There is also the energy initiative for everyone.
Energy is very important for our region. Here, we talk more about renewable and effective energy rather than accessing it. When we look at a country like Turkey, we see many opportunities regarding effective and renewable energy potential. At the same time, in this respect, we try to see the human side of energy. Because energy is important not only for its contribution to the industry or the economy, but also in terms of the development of the community. The energy is related with both the health and income level.
N.H.: Let us move on the next question while highlighting the issue of sustainable energy and energy efficiency. You are a active user of social media. You have a twitter account as ‘ 'Csultanoglu'. You contribute to the discussion on Post 2015 Development Agenda via this account. Let me to highlight for our audiences that: you might also contribute to this discussion by using '2015sonrasi ' tag on twitter. Mrs. Cihan, you mentioned the development problems in the region that you are responsible for and Post 2015 Development Agenda. You have just had an introduction, let us back to the Turkey. The consultation process in the framework of Post 2015 Development Agenda continues. In your opinion, how could Turkey contribute to this process based on its own experiences?
C.S.: Turkey's contribution to this debate can be very large. Turkey, performed a major advances in the last decade and especially in the last few years, it attaches great importance to the development of other countries. Last year, Turkey's foreign development budget went up to $ 1.3 billion. This is a very high level of contribution. Of course, we need to investigate the issues which Turkey must be concentrate on in terms of not only finance but also strategic dimension. In past few years, Turkey hosted many very important global meetings. This hosting of Turkey shows on which issues it pays attention. The aids, done by Turkey for least developed countries, prove that, it works for eradication of poverty. Turkey shows leadership in strategic and intellectual terms, on development issues regarding its contribution to Rio+20 Summit and Human Development Index. Currently, Turkey and the United Nations Development Programme are in a very effective cooperation. In 2001, a private framework agreement was made. Turkey take place in a group of countries such as China, India, Brazil, South Africa, which are called ‘the donor’. Our aim to strength this framework agreement and have a great contribution to the global development as a partner.
N.H.: In the meantime, let me emphasize that, everyone might contribute to discussion via 2015sonrasiturkiye.org and '# 2015sonrasi' tag on twitter. We have another address: 2015sonrasi.org. Here, we organize a photo contest on Instagram. You can reach detailed information via this website. Cihan Sultanoğlu, thank you so much for participating in our program. We have come to the end of this episode. This program has been recorded at the studio of Radyo İlef of Ankara University Communications Department. You can follow our program on Açık Radyo (Open Radio) on FM frequency, on Police radio, on university radios in our broadcasting network, on iTunes under podcasts and on undp.org.tr. Our username for social media is undpturkiye. Hope to see you soon, good bye!
In this part, as it was International Volunteer Day on 5 December, we talk about why volunteering is important and what kind of role volunteering plays on post 2015 Development Agenda.
New Horizons (N.H.): This is the New Horizons Podcast of United Nations Development Programme Turkey. International Volunteer Day was celebrated on 5th of December in many countries, including Turkey. In this week’s programme, we talk about why volunteering is important and what kind of role volunteering plays on post 2015 Development Agenda. One of our contributors is Nil Mit, from United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) and coordinator of Post 2015 National Coordinator. Welcome!
Nit Mit (N.M.): Hello.
N.H.: Our other guest is Nilsu Atılgan, who is a volunteer from Bilkent University and the General Coordinator of Civic Involvement Projects. Welcome!
Nilsu Atılgan (N.A.): Hello.
N.H.: We will also talk about your projects. But first I would like to ask a question to Mrs. Nil Mit from UNV. Within United Nations, there is United Nations Volunteers program. You are also a volunteer of United Nations. This program contributes to peace and development worldwide through volunteerism. In fact, this organization exists since 1971. What could volunteerism change and why is that so important? Let us start with this question.
N.M.: Thank you very much. First of all, I want to talk briefly about United Nations Volunteer Programme. As you mentioned, it was founded in 1971. Currently, there are 8000 United Nations Volunteers in 130 countries. For UN, volunteering is one of the most important factors achieving objectives of sustainable development. What is volunteering? Volunteering is a universal term and it means to share one’s skills, experience and resources for the sake of community with no thought of personal gain. There is a misunderstanding; volunteering is not cleaning your room and having an internship; of course these are also important, but volunteerism must be something communal. Taking into consideration that the world population is 7 billion and it continues to increase; which means more food, more work and more energy for more people. But if we think it in a positive way, it means more volunteers and more labor force for community.
N.H.: Of course, it is very important to define volunteerism. According to what do we define volunteerism? How do we count the number of volunteers? Definition of volunteerism is very important in terms of these. When we consider that the world population is 7 billion, 20 percent of the population’s engagement in voluntary work only for two hours a week leads to an activation of a great social power which contributes to the solution of development problems. We will come back to this. But let us continue with a volunteer, Nilsu Atılgan from Bilkent University. As a volunteer, it would be meaningful this question answered by you: How do you define volunteerism?
N.A.: I think volunteerism does not have a precise definition. Yes, it means spending time and effort for doing something good for the community, as Nil have mentioned. But everyone could express it differently. Perhaps, it is the reason why there are many non- governmental organizations. We establish many different clubs and continue projects in Bilkent University. Everyone works for the project which suits to his/her own volunteerism definition. For example, we concentrate more on social responsibility projects. We have fifteen different projects and each of them addresses to different group of people in different ways. Our only aim is to give something from ourselves and actually also get something from them, too. So I believe that volunteerism is mutual.
N.H.: Bilkent University has 15 different projects, and you have a website called tdb.bilkent.edu.tr. 'tdb' stands for ‘social awareness projects'. Are you a student at the same time?
N.A.: Yes, I’m a student at the Psychology department.
N.H.: So, how is the profile of participant? Are all of them students?
N.A.: In general, it consists of students from Bilkent University because we have our meetings and take our some decisions in the University. But we do not have any limitation. We have alumni people, too. Our participants may be from other universities, or even may not be a student. In fact, they just need advocate to volunteerism.
N.H.: I was wondering how our audiences could participate. But I suppose they can look at your web site.
N.A.: Yes, they can reach us via our website. There are descriptions of our projects. They could enroll in the project they wish. Or if they want to get more information from us in general, we would like to help in every subject.
N.H.: Let me remind one more time, the web site is tdb.bilkent.edu.tr saying. Let us continue with Nil Mit. The International Volunteers Day was celebrated on December 5. Turkey celebrated this day along with many countries. Let us talk about this day a little bit. Of course, it has been celebrated since 1985 in order to increase awareness, but which subjects come to the fore based on this day and how was it celebrated in Turkey? Could we get information about this from you?
N.H.: Yes, it has been celebrated since 1984 and in Turkey, it is not only celebrated by United Nations organizations, but also many other non-governmental organizations, too. This year, we have a specific message. This year, we gathered to show how volunteerism has made a difference and to celebrate our achievements. As Nilsu have mentioned, we organized a panel on volunteerism in Bilkent University. We realized this project in coordination with Mr. Yörük, TOG (Community Volunteers Foundation) coordinator, İbrahim Demirel from National Agency and Ebru İnanç who has many active studies on volunteerism from Bilkent University. Of course our activities will continue to add this to education programmes of universities. A platform, titled ‘Volunteering Makes a Difference’ was established in order to highlight the importance of this year. This has a web site, www.volunteeractioncounts.org. From there, you may follow our activities.
N.H.: The United Nations Volunteers is one of the United Nations’ organizations that operates in Turkey. In fact, its activities in Turkey have just started a while ago. It works in coordination with TOG (Community Service Volunteers), TEGV (Turkish Education Volunteers Foundation) and many other organizations such as the one represented by Ms. Nilsu, General Coordinator of Civic Involvement Projects from Bilkent University. Mrs. Nil, you represent UNV (United Nations Volunteers), but you also work on national consultations that we discuss Post 2015 Development Agenda. Of course, volunteerism and civil participation are very important in this process. It is very crucial what volunteers think about what people will be talking about global development after 2015 and what the goals should be. What is the relationship between new development agenda and volunteerism?
N.M.: Let me begin with Millennium Development Goals. Millennium Development Goals were determined as eight goals in General Assembly of the United Nations and it is a process expected to end by 2015. The different countries made progress in different goals. As it seems these goals are not universal. The different goals for sustainability must be determined for each country concerning its own needs. That is why, a project titled ‘Post 2015 Turkey’s Consultation’ started. Turkey is one the countries in which these consultations will take place. With ‘Post 2015 Turkey’s Consultation’, it is indicated for the first time that the sustainable development at the global level cannot be achieved without rights and volunteers. And the importance of participation to volunteerism was highlighted.
N.H.: In fact, the determination of Post 2015 Development Agenda, as different from others such as the Millennium Development Goals in 200, directs a very different progress since there is a contribution of online discussions and social media which came into our lives recently. You come to the fore as a project which uses internet efficiently. You have two web sites which are: 2015sonrasiturkiye.org and 2015sonrasi.org. Let us talk about these websites.
N.M.: Yes, thank you very much. We attach particular importance to the role of social media. We decided to use the power of social media since the main target of the project is participation and transparency. We have a website titled ‘2015sonrasiturkiye.org’. In this website, all the outputs of the meetings held, are shared with people and ask their feedbacks. We also share our questionnaire on this website. This questionnaire will be analyzed by our consultants and the output will be shared on the final report. That is why your contribution is crucial for the future of Turkey. The questionnaire will be active on the website until the end of January. The other website that you mentioned, was launched for our Instagram competition. This is a blog titled 2015sonrasi.org. We are going to do our closure meeting on February and there is going to be a photo exhibition. If you click on our website, you may have detailed information about this exhibition.
N.H.: You may share your ideas on volunteerism by using the ‘#gonulluolmak’ tag on twitter. If you want to contribute to this discussion, you can reach us by '# 2015sonrasi' tag on twitter, too. Let me highlight these two websites which are 2015sonrasiturkiye.org and 2015sonrasi.org. We look forward to your contribution within the framework of nine thematic areas. Now, I would like to return to Mrs. Nilsu again. Let me end this programme with the words will be said by a volunteer. You are very lucky that you take the support of TOG and UNV behind you. You continue to work on 15 different themes. In which direction your studies will go and what is your next goal after that?
N.A.: Well, these 15 projects are the projects that go on constantly. Our organization was established on 1999 following the Marmara earthquake. And since then, we continue. So every year or every two years, a new project is added and we continue to grow that way. I cannot say any of these projects will terminate. All of them contribute to volunteerism in a continuous manner. I just can say that we can add new projects. We would like to take a step with TOG and UNV into seasonal projects that we call as 'attack'. Of course these are also very important. What is really important to us that the contribution of these projects to us, volunteerism and society as Mrs. Nil mentioned. Our main goal is to increase these contributions with different projects and different target groups.
N.H.: Thank you very much for your contribution. Our guests were Nil Mit, United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) and coordinator of Post 2015 National Coordinator; and Nilsu Atılgan, is a volunteer from Bilkent University and the General Coordinator of Civic Involvement Projects. In this section, we tried to address the issues of the global development agenda and the contribution of volunteers to civil society, based on the International Volunteer Day celebrated on 5th December. We have come to the end of this episode with these words. In this programme, we talked about United Nations Joint program titled ‘Decent Work for All’ which ended with a closing conference in the previous days. The detailed information of the programme is available on internet. You may share your ideas through ‘yeniufuklar’ tag on Twitter. This program has been recorded at the studio of Radyo İlef of Ankara University Communications Department. You can follow our program on Açık Radyo (Open Radio) on FM frequency, on Police radio, on university radios in our broadcasting network, on iTunes under podcasts and on undp.org.tr. Our username for social media is undpturkiye. Hope to see you soon, good bye!
In this part, we talk about United Nations Joint Program titled "Decent Work for All" which has ended recently with a closing conference.
New Horizons (N.H.): This is the New Horizons Podcast of United Nations Development Programme Turkey. In this week’s programme, we talk about United Nations Joint Program titled ‘Decent Work for All’ which ended with a closing conference days in previous days. The subject of this programme is what was done for people to get decent work within the scope of National Youth Employment Programme and the implementation in Antalya as a pilot region. We will have many contributors for this programme. But firstly, let me give some data on youth employment in Turkey. The proportion of youth contribution to labor force is lower than the general trend in Turkey. Based on TUIK’s data, in Turkey, the proportion of contribution of youth to labor force is 39 percent; unemployment rate is 18 percent; non-agricultural unemployment rate is 22 percent. The youth in Turkey who encounters more and more difficulties in finding a decent work, stands out as the most disadvantaged group in the labor market. The joint partnership of United Nations organizations and Turkish Employment Organization (İŞKUR) launched a youth employment programme titled ‘Decent Work for All’ in Antalya to alleviate the problem of unemployment. Turkish Employment Organization chose Antalya as a pilot region because there is a Turkish Employment Organization’s office and Municipal Assembly besides a many well-organized stakeholders.
Shahid Najam, UN Resident Coordinator: What we have demonstrated with this programme is, when we work together, and establish partnerships, we always have enhance development. For example, in this particular case, four agencies which were UNDP, ILO, IOM and FAO worked very closely with government. And we established very successful works at national level as well as international level.
N.H.: United Nations Resident Coordinator has spoken. Well then, what does ‘decent work’ mean?
ILO Turkey Director Ümit Deniz Efendioğlu: The concept of ‘decent work’ developed by ILO in line with the notions of freedom, equality, security and reputability. It is one of the most important components of sustainable development. This concept also has gender equality at its core and builds on four pillars: These are creating employment, securing labor rights, extension of social protection to all levels of society and promoting social dialogue. This project that we have implemented on a local and national scale has not only enabled youth to access decent works but has also demonstrated that significant policy recommendations and action plans can be created through social agreement.
N.H.: What does this programme mean for UNDP?
Berna Beyazıt Baran, Poverty Reduction Programme Manager - UNDP: I would first like to mention about our priorities on a global scale. These include poverty reduction, social inclusion, egalitarian services and participation, for which are realized with specific principles. The joint programme has indeed provided an integrated approach among these priorities.
N.H.: The partners of United Nations Joint Programme, Youth Employment are not limited with UNDP and ILO. IOM is also included to the partners of this programme.
Meera Sethi, IOM Turkey Chief of Mission: This particular programme which looks at migration, employment and youth, is a very important component of IOM’s programmes in the overall area of managing migration. The National Youth Employment Plan of Action is another significant contribution of IOM. The government has allowed marginalized populations which include youth and migrants, to be mainstreamed the future activities in different provinces.
N.H.: Following Meera Sethi, IOM Turkey Chief of Mission, let us listen to FAO Turkey Coordinator Mustapha Sinaceur. What all of these activities mean in the sense of Food and Agriculture Organization.
Mustapha Sinaceur, FAO Turkey Director: We have trained about five hundred people during three years, in several fields of agricultural production, arboriculture and production of cut flower. This UN programme was successful in the way that it has created the very strong partnerships among different partners, not only within the UN agencies that were involved in the implementation of this programme but also with the local institution like İŞKUR and Governorate of Antalya, universities, academies, NGOs and private sector.
N.H.: What are the goals of this project that we mentioned so far? U United Nations Joint Programme contributes to the Millennium Development Goals on poverty reduction, educational opportunities, increasing awareness of gender equality and especially on the collaboration for development. ILO is responsible for the coordination of ‘National Youth System Action Plan’ and ‘professional look’ which are the national outcome of United Nations Joint program, in the scope of ‘decent work’ approach. The studies carried out by UNDP within the scope of joint programme, focused on the sector in order to increase the competitiveness of Antalya province and achieve long term, sustainable development. FAO contributed to ‘Decent Work for All’ programme with rural development and rural employment. IOM played an active role in the harmonization of migration management with the main elements of the employment policy, in the scope of the joint programme. United Nations Joint Programme reached more than three thousand individuals; dozens of public and private institutions and organizations, and civil society organizations. So, how was the communication of the joint programme carried out?
Ayşegül Oğuz Goodman, Communication Expert, UNDP Joint Programme: A lot of analyses were conducted and publications delivered throughout this joint effort. All of these documents can be accessed through the Joint Programme website: www. genclik.mdgf-tr.org
N.H.: When you write ‘Decent Work for All’, you may easily reach the details. Now, we listen to Dr. Nusret Yazıcı, General Director of Turkish Employment Organization.
Dr. Nusret Yazıcı, General Director of Turkish Employment Organization: The National Youth Employment Action Plan was developed jointly with several stakeholders such as workers, employers, public agencies and NGOs. We shared experience with international organizations throughout this process to put forward integrated suggestions to increase youth employment.
N.H.: Of course, when the issue is youth unemployment, we need to keep some fact in mind. The share of young population is high in total population. Therefore, to solve this problem is a very crucial social goal. In United Nations Joint Programme, especially young immigrants were targeted and ‘how they can have decent work’ was discussed. So, how was the result?
Assoc. Prof. Hakan Ercan, METU Academician: For the first time ever in Turkey, a document on youth employment has been created. The document has clear targets and deadlines. This is a first in Turkey.
N.H.: Now we listen to another academician of METU, Assoc. Prof. Helga Tılıç.
Assoc. Prof. Helga Rittersberger Tılıç, METU Academician: Why we choose Antalya as the pilot region? Because it receives a lot of migrants, moreover it is a very important place regarding youth and unemployment. What did we do? We choose a sample group and worked with TURKSTAT.
N.H.: Antalya Deputy Governor Halil Serdar Cevheroğlu highlights the special condition of Antalya.
Halil Serdar Cevheroğlu, Antalya Deputy Governor: Antalya is a tourism and agriculture city that receives around 40-50 thousand migrants each year and has high seasonal unemployment rates. Antalya is first and foremost tourism city. Employment rises significantly in tourism during summer. People from neighboring cities and in fact, from all over Turkey come to work here. But then these people become unemployed during winter. That is why this project is on the right track. In particular, the target group-youth- is rightly put.
N.H.: In the scope of the project, the clustering works were done in four sectors which are health tourism, seed growing, and cut flowering and yachting.
Saadettin Dikmen, Expert- Western Mediterranean Development Agency: We went to the Netherlands to get hands-on experience about agricultural and industrial clusters there. I personally came back with excellent impressions as to how companies and their managers come together to create synergy towards the same aim.
N.H.: Now we listen to trainees of employment trainings.
Raziye Bodur, Women Farmers Trainee: We learned a great deal of important things about biological pests. We learned about how harmful pesticides are. Most importantly, we learned how important our producst are for the human life.
N.H.: Was the entrepreneurship training beneficial?
Zeynep Doğmuş, Entrepreneurship Trainee: I have learned to live in a planned manner, analyze a job before I take it, think more realistically and be at peace with numbers thanks to the training programme. I’m going to try to bring the prefab home building system in Europe and the US to Turkey to create added value in the construction industry.
N.H.: Gülay Özen who got the assistant cook traineeship, says these.
Gülay Özen, Assistant Cook Trainee: When we started the course we spent 1,5 months in the classroom. Then we had a three-month internship in the kitchen. Then we started to actually work in the kitchen.
N.H.: How much were the trainings successful?
Cengiz Muratşah, Barut Otel Human Resource Coordinator: We delivered trainings through our specialist in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s procedures. We achieved a net success rate 97%, that is 97 out of 100 people passed.
N.H.: As a result, each United Nations’ organization contributes to this project. The trainees were not only young people who are getting through vocational training courses. Also the job and occupational counselors of Turkish Employment Organization Antalya were trained.
Mina Öztürk, the Job and Occupational Counselors of Turkish Employment Organization Antalya: We received about 15 days of training as part of these projects. We had a trainer come from Sweden and other trainers from various universities in Turkey to deliver trainings on job searching skills for the disadvantaged groups.
N.H.: We give the last word to another trainee.
Ayşegül Bakır, Basic Life Skills Trainee: The major contribution of the trainings has been boosting my self-confidence. Now I can make a living on my own. It has changed my outlook on life and now I can think much deeper. Apart from that, I know have a profession that I love.
N.H.: We have come to the end of this episode with these words. In this programme, we talked about United Nations Joint program titled ‘Decent Work for All’ which ended with a closing conference in the previous days. The detailed information of the programme is available on internet. You may share your ideas through ‘yeniufuklar’ tag on Twitter. This program has been recorded at the studio of Radyo İlef of Ankara University Communications Department. You can follow our program on Açık Radyo (Open Radio) on FM frequency, on university radios in our broadcasting network, on iTunes under podcasts and on undp.org.tr. Our username for social media is undpturkiye. Hope to see you soon, good bye!
Editor: Faik Uyanık
Assistant: Nazife Ece
Intern: Gülşah Balak
Contributors to this issue: Deniz Tapan, Gönül Sulargil
© 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.