“Social Work with Children and Youth at Risk Symposium” was organized within the scope of “Internal Migration Integration Project” (IGEP) on the 16th and 17th of December in Bursa with the participation of 250 guests and speakers.

In the opening session of the symposium, IGEP Social Services Key Expert Hans-Jürgen Maeth gave information about the aim and the working methodology of the symposium and IGEP Team Leader Luc Zwaenepoel provided information about the project in general. Hacettepe University, Child Psychological Health and Diseases Department Head Prof. Bahar Gökler referred to the high number of children working in the streets in the cities that receive high migration. Also, Gökler has mentioned that lack of parental supervision leads to all kinds of abuse and neglect and as they are also deprived of education, they face hunger, diseases and drug addiction, etc.

In the afternoon session which was moderated by Journalist and TV Producer Tayfun Talipoğlu “The Situation of Children and Youth in Society” was discussed by Deputy Director Özcan Kars from SHÇEK, Professorial Fellow Dr. Bülent İlik from Başkent University, EU and Projects Director Niyazi Kaya from Ministry of National Education, General Directorate of Primary Education, lawyer Türkay Asma from Ankara Bar Association, Bursa Regional Deputy Director Mehmet Çiftçi from Labour and Social Security Ministry, Co-Presidents of 2006-2007 Children’s Rights Comitee Rifat Cankat and Hazal Hürman.

Following the interactive panel, round tables were established to discuss the themes; under the preventive steps main title: “Policies and Legal Instruments to Follow to Protect he child” and “Child in the Family” themes and under the rehabilitive steps main title: “Services for Children and Youth” and “Projects to Reality: Projects towards Children and Youth” themes were discussed. Suggestions, which came to the fore in the round table meetings that continued in the second day and in which approximately 30 experts participated, were analysed by the moderators and reporters of the groups and the Final Resolution was prepared by Lawyer Türkay Asma and Social Services Expert Tülin Kuşgözoğlu who also presented the Final Resolution to the symposium participants.

After the Assoc. Prof. Ersin Kuşdil’s (Uludağ University, Department of Psychology) presentation on “Factors Affecting the Criminal Behaviour of the Adolescents and Rehabilitation Methods” and Prof. Esin Küntay’s (Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts, Department of Sociology) speech on “Children at Risk: Some Criticisms and Suggestions regarding Child Protection Policies”, closing speeches were given by Meltem Yalçın, Contracts Manager from Central Finance and Contracts Unit, Füsun Çiçekoğlu, Sector Manager from Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey and IGEP Team leader Luc Zwaenepoel.

2nd Study Visit in the scope of IGEP was organized to Germany; Köln, Bohn, and Berlin between 7-11 December 2009. 13 participants from Social Services and related departments of the beneficiary Metropolitan Municipalities of Ankara, İstanbul, Bursa and İzmir participated to the Study Visit.

The main aim of the Second Study Visit was to recognise researches, projects and models in the fields of immigration and social services and to show EU best practises in finding creative solutions to social and economic integration problems of migrants and disadvantaged groups.

Within this scope, participants who already have knowledge and experience in their fields have met with social service models of Germany and through visits to different institutions they have acquired information about the implementation processes of social services and have contributed to the establishment of long term cooperation opportunities.

The aim of study visits is, together with sharing information and experience, to have the opportunity to make comparisons in the 4 selected countries in the scope of the project. Thus, with contacting with related and associated institutions, provide support and strength to other project activities with the information and experience acquired.

Participants have expressed that the most interesting parts of the study visit were visiting various social service centers, Cologne University, Par-Ce-Val Addiction center, a school in Berlin and Sarı Villa. They also expressed that legal regulations about children in Germany, cooperation with instiutions in Family Centers, presentation of Jugendhilfe - Youth institution (directed more to the practice), established support systems in Germany, intensive work of volunteers and their devotion to this, active decision taking of local administrations, creative activities for kids and veing able to observe and listen to the experts’ experiences in the centers which are very similar to the centers opened in the scope of İGEP were of interest.

The 1st Study Trip in the scope of IGEP has been carried out to the Netherlands and Belgium, between July 13th and 17th, 2009. A total of 14 participants from the beneficiary Metropolitan Municipalities of Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir and Bursa took part in the tour, which visited various project sites in Amsterdam, Delta Werken, Beringen and Bruges, as well as the European Parliament and EU organizations in Brussels. IGEP was represented by Strategic Planning Key Expert Gökhan Menteş.

Visits were also paid to a social renewal project in Amsterdam that included a cluster of social centres as well as renewal of social housing and life-long-learning facilitations; in Amsterdam such multi-dimensional facilities are being used to attract people to a social environment and also attract investment to the immediate surroundings. Ms. Nalan Fidan, Department Head for the Metropolitan Municipality of Bursa: “it has been a useful exercise to see in a 5 day trip 12 projects that are considered Social-Economical projects in Belgium and the Netherlands”

Mining

Mirroring the economic and social transformation experienced in the last two decades in Belgium, most of the old coal mines have been closed. The planners in the cities of Beringen and Genk have found a solution in the renovation and transformation of former mining facilities and towns into centres of business and culture by using the old mine buildings.

Coming from the Belgian/Turkish community, Mr. Selahattin Koçak, himself a former mine worker, is now involved in politics and working on the renewal of the old mine site in his town Beringen. “Still 20 years after the closing of the mine the town breathes coal. The city therefore uses the play on words –Beringen, more than my -mine- city. Everything is related to the mine here: the mine bakery, mine coffee house and the old mine building that we now will renovate and transform into a centre of business and recreation. Integration means for me also that Turkish have to learn the Flemish language.”

Strategic Planning Models in view of Rapid Migration

The Netherlands and Belgium have a wealth of experience in strategic planning processes, and one of the aims of the study tour was to visualize these experiences. In general, these countries are not currently experiencing problems related to the integration of internal migrants, the integration of international migrants is an ongoing challenge.

In these countries, integration in strategic planning is focused on the provision of opportunities to outsiders, in order for them to introduce and adapt themselves into the host society, however, housing, social infrastructure and learning facilities are combined into the single strategic plan that is implemented. Strategic planning in this context is also based on the principle of subsidiarity, as referred to in European Union terminology. This principle entails decentralization to the lowest level possible in order to enable a wide spectrum of stakeholders to be integrated in the decision-making process.

The formation of a deeper understanding of these concepts is one of the main outcomes of the study tour. The tour has been especially relevant as it has illustrated the solutions found and outputs reached through the planning process governed by EU regulations.

In the scope of İGEP Project, aimed to support the solution of socio-economic integration problems in in-migrant destinations, the “International Migration and Urban Poverty Symposium” was organized. At the Symposium, which is held on 16th October 2009 at Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Conference Hall, academicians, migration experts and government representatives came together to address the important migration challenges in Turkey.

Symposium started with the opening speeches of Dr. Luc Zwaenepoel, İGEP Team Leader, and Levent Erkan, General Manager of DeLeeuw International, and continued with four panels: “Welcoming and Integrating Immigrants,” “Human Mobility and Development,” “Overview and Analysis of Existing Practices in Turkey in Dealing with the Issue of Urban Poverty” and “Reasons for Urban Poverty and Solution Models.”

Speaking at the symposium, Füsun Çiçekoğlu, Sector Manager for Regional Development and Cross-Border Co-operation at the Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey, stated that paradigms concerning the migration have begun to shift and since 2000s new policies have begun to be developed to make migration a development tool. During his speech, Francisco R. Rodriguez, Head of Research Team for the United Nations Human Development Report, gave information about the UN Human Development Report and explained that although migration has a supporting role in development, it shouldn’t be seen as an alternative way for development and prosperity of the countries.

“Seeing the world through the eyes of the children”, an exhibition of 49 artworks produced by the children attending the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Centre for Children Working on the Streets was opened at the IGEP central office. The exhibition was opened by Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Mr. Ömer Vural.

In the exhibition, 49 pencil drawings, oil paint, water paint and dry paint artworks produced by the children attending the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Centre for Children Working on the Streets are on display. The opening was also the stage for a striking performenace by the Altındağ Children’s Club Rhythm Group.

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Mr. Ömer Vural, who officially opened the exhibition, stated that the field work done in the scope of the project would shed light on the efforts to ensure the socio-economic integration of the disadvantaged groups migrating to the city. Vural also emphasized that the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Centre for Children Working on the Streets was supporting young artists such as Mücahit Türkcan, who has received an award from the international contest held recently in Macedonia, and that these children are assisted in preparation for further education at fine arts faculties in various universities. Vural added that the percussion group comprised of attendees of the Altındağ Children’s Club have performed at many national and international events and that many of these children have found the opportunity to continue their art and music education at university conservatories.
The exhibition includes 29 paintings and drawings by the young artist Mücahit Türkcan, student of the Aktaş Industry Vocational High School Machinery Department, who said that he aimed to become one of the well known artists in Turkey and that he aimed to complete his education in the Faculty of Fine Arts.

The Inauguration Ceremony of Sultanbeyli Child and Youth Centre was realized with the participation of the State Minister and Chief negotiator Mr. Egemen Bağış, State Minister for Women and Family Affairs Ms. Selma A. Kavaf, İstanbul Deputy Governor Mr. Mustafa Altuntaş, İstanbul Deputy Mayor Mr. Ahmet Selamet, Sultanbeyli Mayor Mr. Hüseyin Keskin, SHÇEK İstanbul Provincial Director Mr. Öanl İnaltekin.

Inauguration which had a broad participation started with Kayışdağı Darülaceze Child Centre Rythim Group’s show. In the inauguration, gymnastics show and rap show of the youth from İSMEM were received great applause. After the ceremony that took place in Sultanbeyli Square, State Ministers and local administrators visited the Sultanbeyli Child and Youth Centre and received information concerning the operations of the Centre.

State Minister Kavaf stated that Sultanbeyli Child and Youth Centre was established in cooperation with İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Sultanbeyli Municipality within the scope of Internal Migration Integration Project (İGEP) which was funded by European Union. The Minister also mentioned that the Centre is capable of providing rehabilitation and training 350 children at the same time.

İstanbul Deputy Mayor Mr. Ahmet Selamet said “We wish that this study which is being carried out in cooperation with Sultanbeyli Municipality and İGEP Technical Assistance Team will not only be a good practice for Sultanbeyli and İstanbul but also for whole Turkey.”

On the 14th of January, CFCU, the TAT and the Consortium organized the kick off meeting of the IGEP project.

Approximately 60 high level representatives and experts participated in the kick off. Bursa, Izmir, Ankara and Istanbul/Sultanbeyli had all sent a representative number of staff related to both planning and social service delivery – all of which have subsequently become involved in project implementation through the Project Coordination Units (PCU) which have been established in each of the cities.

CFCU and IGEP took into account comments and contributions from the beneficiary metropolitan municipalities regarding the difficulties to find staff for the Centres for Street Children and the relatively late provision of equipment and furniture for the centres. This is important for IGEP as the centre activities related to IGEP can only be implemented once the centres are operational.

What regards development of Strategic Action Plans, the proposed methodology divided into 3 phases – each finalised with a local level SWOT conference was presented in detail during the afternoon session.