YTB Organizes Youth Gathering in Vienna

The "YTB Youth Gathering" was attended by Bilal Erdoğan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the İlim Yayma Foundation; Abdulhadi Turus, President of YTB; Zafer Sırakaya, Deputy Chairman of the AK Party; Gürsel Dönmez, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Vienna; Nurettin Alan, AK Party Istanbul Deputy; and Mahmut Mustafa Özdil, President of the Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMV), as well as numerous guests from the Turkish community in the country.

​Youth and Diaspora Vision Discussed at the Panel

​While YTB President Turus moderated the panel organized as part of the program, Bilal Erdoğan, Sırakaya, and Özdil took part as speakers. The panel addressed the expectations of young people, the future of the diaspora, and the vision of the new generation.

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Turkish NGOs are Strong and in Solidarity

​In his speech, Bilal Erdoğan expressed his happiness in seeing how much Turkish non-governmental organizations have grown, strengthened, and acted in solidarity during his travels in Europe.

​Stating that the diaspora, which follows Türkiye closely, feels safer as Türkiye grows stronger, Erdoğan noted that the diaspora could also come to the fore with its leadership and managerial skills. Pointing out that as long as the diaspora does not establish a place in civil society, its concerns may be ignored by politicians, Erdoğan used the following expressions: "This is quite normal. But if you speak up, put forward your expectation for representation, and remain organized in civil society, then the politician whether Turkish or not will have to take what you say into account. Consequently, a sensitive youth, an organized civil society, and then equal representation will emerge."

​Stating that the Turkish diaspora has moved from being laborers to employers and is now included in decision-making mechanisms, Turus emphasized that citizens living abroad experienced hardships in the past but have since achieved many things to be proud of.

​Turus continued his words as follows: "While bringing our own culture to the places we went, we provided significant added value to those lands. For example, when defining our community, we can say this: The Turkish community is the nation with the lowest petty crime rate. Our diaspora is the community with the highest work ethic in their respective fields."

​Zafer Sırakaya explained that the first generation in Europe came from Türkiye under very challenging conditions, leaving their families and relatives behind, at a time when there were not even mechanisms to communicate with their homeland.

​Sırakaya stated, "While these people were building the countries they lived in under these economic conditions, they also took on the responsibility of reviving (ihya) a generation." Emphasizing that the first generation that came to Europe also managed to protect themselves, Sırakaya noted that great sacrifices were made and that they did not have the opportunity to see the state structure by their side at that time. Therefore, he said they owe a debt of gratitude to the first generation.

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Specific Education Model for Each Geography from TMV

​President of the Turkish Maarif Foundation (TMV), Mahmut Mustafa Özdil, stated that they do not put forward a one-size-fits-all model due to both geographical diversity and the variety of tasks assigned to the foundation. Stating that they identify the needs of every geography they are in, Özdil noted that they develop unique solutions compatible with the fabric of society.