LA-21 National Youth Parliament

Trabzon Summer School

6-12 Semtember 2004

1. INTRODUCTION

With the Local Agenda 21 Program that started in 1997, most of Turkey was reached and a national communication network was established among youth. Along with this network, the base for Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament was prepared.

The foundation of Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament laid in the “Youth Summit” in Ankara where representatives of 220 local youth councils from 64 provinces gathered on 17-19 May 2003. With this summit, youth activities that were stuck in local level were gathered under a unique scheme in the national level.

In august 2003 youth representatives from 42 provinces those who took place in the Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament activities, gathered in Antalya to discuss the contribution of youth in the “Public Administration Reform”. On 04-07 December 2003, Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament gathered in Eskişehir “Strategy Development” Meeting and decided upon a common strategy with 90 youth representatives from 50 provinces.

On 19-22 February 2004, 127 youth representatives from 54 provinces gathered in İzmir in the meeting entitled as “The gathering of Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament, Public institutions, and International institutions for creating a holistic youth politics- with youth for youth”.

On 23-24 April 2004, 110 young representatives from 63 provinces gathered in Tarsus in “19th May Preparation Meeting” and organized for the Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament that was planned to be established on 19 May 2004. This meeting played a crucial role in creating the roadmap for institutionalization of the Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament until 2006.

On 19-21 May 2004 youth representatives of Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament from 74 provinces gathered once again to declare the establishment of the parliament, after 25 national and over 200 local and regional meetings since 1997. Additionally, 14 regional facilitators were elected according to the Statistical Regional Classification (Nuts) that was created by DPT for the EU integration process. There facilitators are also the “executive board” of the Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament.

Finally, on 23-25 July 2004 Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament 1st General Assembly Meeting was held in Malatya. In this meeting, the process of Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament was evaluated, the role of the parliament institutional structure and politics were discussed, and an action plan was prepared for the realization of the LA-21 third phase goals. Additionally, the mission statement and responsibilities of regional facilitators, being the executive board, were determined with this meeting.

The content of the summer school was formed with the consideration of the demands and suggestions of the Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament members. This summer school also plays a vital role in the institutionalization of Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament. For 5 days, Turkish and foreign experts on the subjects of “Individual Capacity Development”, “Effective Project Writing and Administration”, “EU and Youth Politics” and “The Role of Youth in Local Governance and Public Reform Legislation” trained the participants. Transmission of this information to local youth is vital for realization of Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament common goals.

Habitat and Agenda 21 Youth Association aims to develop local initiatives and as always, will continue to support youth in the future.

2. OPENING (First day-07.09.2004)

In the Local Agenda 21 National Youth Parliament Trabzon Summer School, which 100 participants from 63 provinces attended, the opening speeches were given by Ali Şanlıer, vice governor of Trabzon; Volkan Canalioğlu, mayor of Trabzon; Burçin Yıldıran, accountant of Habitat and Agenda 21 Youth Association Local initiatives; and Türker Metin Onur, Trabzon Youth Council Representative.

3. THE SITUATION OF LOCAL AGENDA 21: PAST AND PRESENT

First of all, Local Agenda 21 Youth activities were generally evaluated. Regional facilitators expressed the problems that they face in their regions and demonstrated their work plans for the future. In that:

Region 1 (Çanakkale, Tekirdağ, Balıkesir, Edirne, Kırklareli)

Facilitator: Yücel Martin-Çanakkale

The basic problem in Region 1 is that the Local Agenda 21 program is not widely known. That is why we tried to overcome this problem by organizing some recognition meetings in the provinces. There is no contact person in Balıkesir yet. We plan to arrange a meeting at the university opening in Edirne in order to create a team. We plan a recognition meeting with the current team in Tekirdağ. The attempts to establish a youth council continue in Çanakkale. With the establishment of this council, regional activities will accelerate. In the future, local and regional meetings will be held in order to run the activities in other provinces most effectively.

Region 2 (Denizli, Aydın, İzmir, Afyon, Kütahya, Manisa, Uşak)

Facilitator: Kıvanç Tanrıöğen-Denizli

We had a regional meeting in Denizli and tried to solve the communication problem. However the problem still exists. There is no activity in Uşak yet. There is an active general assembly in Manisa and it will gather again in 2 October 2004. Youth activities in Afyon and Kütahya were retarded due to the local problems. There are some local activities held in Aydın, however these activities can not be carried to the national level. In Denizli, we are working on establishing a civil youth council that will cover whole youth groups. We are planning for recognition meetings in the future.

Region 3 (Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, Adıyaman, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Mardin, Batman, Şırnak, Siirt)

Facilitator Ayşegül Özbek-Şanlıurfa

There is an established structure in this region due to the Social Development Program for Youth (GSGP). Youth houses were opened in Kilis on May 2004 and in Şırnak on July 2004. As a result of the previous experience, activities in these regions have increased. We are working on establishment of youth houses in Gaziantep. In Siirt such activities are planned. Additionally in August every province visited each other and exchanged information and experience.

Region 4 (Yalova, Eskişehir, Bilecik, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Düzce, Bolu, Bursa)

Facilitator: Gülgönül Bozoğlu-Yalova

Within the framework of EU Youth Program an action 5 project will be realized in Yalova. All the provinces in the region will be invited to this project. In that, communication and information flow will be provided among provinces. There is a communication problem between Bursa Youth Council, Nilüfer LA 21 and Gemlik Youth House, which negatively affects the activities. There is no youth activity in Sakarya and Kocaeli. There are two distinct youth group in Bolu and that reduces the efficacy of the activities. There are some problems in Düzce and Bilecik due to the lack of awareness from LA 21.

Region 5 (Ankara, Konya, Karaman, Kırıkkale, Kırşehir, Aksaray, Çankırı)

Facilitator: Kenan Doğan-Konya

Ankara makes this region more important. For that reason a team work should be established and exchange of experience and information should be increased.

Region 6 (Antalya, Isparta, Burdur, Muğla)

Facilitator: Duran Güntekin-Antalya

Duran Güntekin did not attend this meeting

Region 7 (Adana, Mersin, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Osmaniye)

Facilitator: Mehmet Sarıca-Adana

During the summer time movies were shown in the youth house of Adana. Additionally, an Action 3 project oriented towards homeless children was accepted. As a result of the climate, the activities in region 7 are excessively low. There are some personal contacts in Osmaniye. Antaya participated in the process once again. Because of summer, activities are lessened in Tarsus and Mersin.

Region 8 (Kayseri, Niğde, Nevşehir, Yozgat)

Facilitator: Fatih Kılıç-Kayseri

Niğde had just begun the process. Activities in Kayseri have lessened due to some problems in the local. For that reason, Kayseri could not fulfill its duties as the facilitator. There is need for informative meetings in Nevşehir and Yozgat.

Region 9 (Samsun, Zonguldak, Karabük, Bartın, Sinop, Çorum, Amasya)

Facilitator: Hasan Güler-Samsun

Hasan Güler did not attend this meeting.

Region 10 (Trabzon, Ordu, Giresun, Artvin, Gümüşhane, Bayburt, Rize)

Facilitator: Türker Metin Onur-Trabzon

There is a communication problem between provinces in region 10. Trabzon is planning for an action 1 project for summer 2005.

Region 11 (Kars, Erzurum, Iğdır, Ardahan)

Facilitator: Berha Timar-Kars

Activities in region 11 are accelerating. Exchange of experience and information among provinces continue.

Region 12 (Malatya, Sivas, Erzincan, Tokat)

Facilitator: Murat Kılınç-Malatya

Activities in the region 12 continue intensively. There is a plan for a “youth summit” in Sivas. Tokat had just participated in the process. There is a room arranged for youth activities in Erzincan. Activities continue in Malatya.

Region 13 (Elazığ, Muş, Tunceli, Bingöl)

Facilitator: Rahim Aladağ-Elazığ

Elazığ was finally integrated into the Local Agenda 21 activities. Other provinces in the region have just started the youth activities.

Region 14 (Bitlis, Hakkari, Van, Ağrı)

Facilitator: Ferhat Gök-Bitlis

Youth activities continue in this region. It is aimed to begin informative meetings after the schools are open. There meetings are held in the local for the SRAP.

4. YOUTH POLITICS IN NETHERLANDS AND THE DUTCH NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL (07.09.2004)

On the first day of summer school, Amir NAZAR from Dutch National Youth Council joined the afternoon session and informed the audience about the formation of the Dutch National Youth Council. According to that, during the establishment period of the council, the founders analyzed preexisting examples and exchanged ideas with other councils. There are 25 member organizations in the Dutch National Youth Council. Among them, there are youth branches of political parties and organizations concerned with environment. Additionally, each youth organization can be a member of Dutch National Youth Council. There are 500 young representatives of Dutch National Youth Council and there are 23 staff and 6 commissions in the council.

First of these commissions is “Youth Participation and Youth Politics”. One of the projects of this commission is the “National Youth Summit” in where ministries concerning youth get together. During this summit, young people get the chance to declare their ideas and suggestions to the higher level bureaucrats. Another project of this commission is a youth information project entitled as the “Help Desk”. The web site constructed for this project informs young people about youth projects. Additionally, this project helps young entrepreneurs who wish to begin a project in the local. This commission reaches to the schools and young people in the ages 12-18 with online discussions. Each young person finds the chance to subscribe this site and make use of its database. In addition to that, with a “Youth Network” that was established by this commission, 10 experienced youth worker helps young people in the local with their activities and problems. The latest activity of this commission that has a large area of work is the Dutch National Youth Council Forum. This forum, in which the representatives of local youth councils participate, aims to provide exchange of information and experience, arranging trainings from experts and to get to know ideas of young people. 

Another commission of National Youth Council is “The Commission of Education and Social Work”. In this commission, research is conducted about young people and the issues concerning youth.

Another commission works on “Youth Culture and Free Time”. Most important project of this commission is entitled as “Any Place”.

“Sustainable Development Commission” runs a project named as “Simple Questions, Sustainable Solutions” through which ensures young people to communicate with relevant ministers. In that, it is aimed to bring more reliable solutions to youth problems.

“Political Participation of Youth Commission” came up with projects where young people visited the Netherlands National Assembly and met with the parliaments. Additionally this commission works on reducing the election age to 16.

On the commission about International Youth Participation, the process of “White Book about Youth” is monitored. During the process of creating “White Book”, Dutch National Youth Council participated in the advisory meetings and put in great contribution. Youth participation, youth acknowledgement, information exchange and volunteering can be listed as the priorities of the White Book.

Amir Nazar covered the structure of Dutch National Youth Council and then talked about the activities that the council will do during the periodic chairmanship of Netherlands to European Union.

A team was created to carry out the activities during this time period. In this team, there are 2 youth representatives for matters with Europe, 1 person for the EU periodic chairmanship, 1 person for international projects and 20 volunteers. The activities planned for this time period is listed below:

·        A seminar with the subject “EU Extension”, 15-19 July, 40 participants from Europe.

·        A seminar with the subject “Youth in Europe”, 7-10 October, 60 participants from Europe. During this seminar, it is aimed to educate young people about European Union and Europe as well as Youth Programs.

·        A seminar with the subject “Encounter of Youth”, 27-29 November, 120 participants from Europe. It is aimed to get young people from different platforms together.

·        Web site, As a result of cooperation with the National Agency, a youth section on the Netherlands National Youth Council web site was constructed. This section was constructed also in English.

After this session, participants asked Amir Nazar questions, which were about the problems that Dutch National Youth Council faced during its formation and especially about the problems among various youth organizations that form the council. Apart from that, there were also questions about the activities of Dutch National Youth Council in creating the youth politics in Netherlands. Another point that participants wondered about was how to make the desired impression in the local. Amir Nazar, who had participated in creating the Dutch National Youth Council, gave advices about the process in Turkey. He explained that taking the attention of media during this process, plays a crucial role in taking attention of the politicians. He also declared that they had serious problems in organization and recognition during the establishment process of Dutch National Youth Council. He expressed that they overcame these problems by building a good communication between organizations. Amir Nazar explained that Dutch National Youth Council is insufficient in being effective in national level politics and that the council is a 2 year old structure and that their priority is to reach to the young people in the local. Additionally, he explained that Dutch National Youth Council members were able to attend EU sessions and meanwhile find the chance to meet with government representatives face to face. Another important question was whether the Dutch National Youth Council represented all the youth in Netherlands or not. Amir Nazar answered this question as their aim was to reach as many young people as possible to ensure a democratic representation. Finally, he talked about the importance of initiating activities from the local and developing projects.

5. ASSESING MATRA PROGRAM AND FORESIGHTS

On the third session of the first day of the summer school, MATRA Programm was evaluated and contribution of young people was taken for the second part of the project. After this general evaluation, a session was arranged with facilitators. Problematic locations and solutions to these problems were debated. The group concluded that the decisions taken on 19 May 2004 meeting should be insisted on; and that within 2 months, facilitators should be representative of at least two platforms in their provinces.

Due to the communication problems in the regions, a rearrangement of regional distribution was seen necessary. In that, provinces were rearranged as such: Karaman, Konya, Niğde, and Aksaray as region 5; Kırşehir, Nevşehir, Kayseri, Yozgat as region 8; and Ankara, Çankırı, Kırıkkale as region 15. Taking the demands of the facilitators, it is agreed on a change of provincial representations and regional facilitators. It is stated that the purpose of this change is making the facilitators think on the regional level. After that, new regional facilitators were elected by the representatives of those problematic areas. In that, the facilitators were elected as such: Hasan Yıldız in region 3, Kenan Doğan in 5, Erhan Eker in region 8 and Ömer Çelik in region 15

6. NATIONAL AGRENCY- EU YOUTH PROGRAMS (09.09.2004)

On the third day of the summer school, trainings on European Union Youth Program were given by National Agency. In the first session of the training, general information was given on European Union Youth Programs (Action 1, Action 2, Action 3, Action 5 and Euro-Med). It is stated that these programs are composed of applicable projects to prevent territorial conflicts, provide peace, recognize and introduce various cultures.

6.1. ACTION 1

İbrahim DEMİREL, National Agency Action 1 expert, lectured for the European Union Youth Program Action 1 “Youth for Europe” projects. First of all, detailed information was given on the Action 1 projects. After that, application form was analyzed and questions were answered. Important points of project writing were covered.

In the presentation, it is offered to make multi-partner projects, and it is underlined that those young people without resources or previous experiences are given a priority in acceptance. It is also stated that a preparation visit, which is a part of the project, is necessary in preventing possible future problems.

A participant from Bolu asked about the chance of acceptance from young people without resources or previous experiences. The answer was given with an example, such that an average project from a developing region is preferred over a good project from a developed region.

6.2. ACTION 2

Handan BOYAR, National Agency Action 2 expert, lectured for the European Union Youth Program Action 2 “European Volunteer Services” projects.

In the training, application forms were analyzed deeply, and important points were pointed out. After that, experiences of young people who completed a European Volunteer Service were told and possible problems were analized. Additionally, information was given on the types of activities. Based on the incoming questions, the audience learned about which NGO’ could be sender or receiver, and that the organizations should have a legal structure. As an answer to the question concerning racism and how to provide safety in such a country for the volunteer, Boyar underlined the importance of mutual agreement, and added that under serious circumstances, the volunteer service could be left unfinished.

6.3 ACTION 3

Yunus Alper ATALAY, National Agency Action 3 expert, lectured for the European Union Youth Program Action 3 “Youth Entrepreneurs” projects. First of all, detailed information was given on the Action 3 projects. After that, application form was analyzed and questions were answered. Important points in project writing were covered.

Atalay answered the questions of young participants. He claimed that disadvantaged young people have an advantage in acceptance of their projects. He advised project writers to include young people with limited resources into their projects. Additionally he claimed that supporting organizations would make the projects easier to be implemented. Apart from that, the participants exchanged their ideas and discussed the feasibility of those ideas.

7. THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC REFORM LEGISLATION

7.1. Enver Hacısalihoğlu, Governor of Rize

Enver Hacısalihoğlu, Governor of Rize, visited NYP on 9 September Wednesday afternoon and stated his view on the local governance and public reform legislation.

Enver Hacısalihoğlu expressed that at this time of getting a deliberation date from EU, the percentage of local governance was 2.8%. However, this percentage in European countries has never been below 40%. Additionally, the authorities of the private administrations continually decline until 1996 and that the authorities were reduced to 10% of those in 1913.

Hacısalihoğlu claims that the basic unit of service is the local governance. He also claimed that the centralist thought should be left aside and the people in the rural area should get their rights.

7.2. Prof. Dr. Zerrin Toprak, Dokuz Eylül University

Prof. Dr. Zerrin Toprak covered the attached presentation entitled as “The Role of Youth in Local Governance and Public Reform Legislation”.

7.3. PROF .DR. KOREL GÖYMEN, Sabancı University

Prof. Dr. Korel Göymen began his speech by asking questions to the participants. He gathered information about how many of them voted and how many of them voted for a different party from their family members. Other questions were about how many of the participants realized that their personal rights were being violated and reported that and how many of them thanked the municipality over phone for something positive.

He continued his speech over government-individual relationship in the period from Ottoman Empire to today’s government. He underlined the fact that a change in the government-individual relationship depends on people and that they should act in recognition of their rights and responsibilities, and in consideration of insurrections, demands, and individual conditions. He also mentioned that these can be useful only when are transformed into public service.

According to Prof. Dr. Korel Göymen, if the individuals are not participative within their own institutions, they would have no opportunities to give and take accounts for their rights. Additionally if the rights are not protected within a family, existing sanctions have no use, because what matters is the internalization of the rights. About the situation in urban level, what matters is to be a citizen in the city.

After that Prof. Dr. Korel Göymen talked about the passed laws. He explained that once the sanctions are put in use, they would make us active citizens. He added that each individual has the right to go to any public institution and demand information about any issue; and that it is possible to punish the responsible workers if the citizens can not receive answers to their questions within 15 days.

Prof. Dr. Korel Göymen explained that these changes tend to ameliorate democracy in Turkey, however, it should be noted that there are also deficits in democracy within European Union. He showed the lack of participation of voters in European Parliament elections as concrete evidence to that.

Another evaluation was about the level of consciousness of the local people about European Union. He demonstrated that the surveys show 60%- 81% positive attitudes toward EU; however the information these people have about what the EU will bring to them is hearsay. In that, he announced that with cooperation of Turkish government and EU, a team was formed for providing education about EU in various provinces of Turkey.

The last message of Prof. Dr. Korel Göymen was “We should foster young people who can balance their personal benefits and social priorities. Future is yours, future is ours.”

8. TRAININGS (10-11.09.2004)

8.1. communıcatıon and problem solvıng TECHNIQUES

       Nilay Baykal, Çankaya University

This training was carried out with a presentation. First, definition of interpersonal communication was given and a communication model was created. The types of communication (verbal and non-verbal) were covered and their contents were distinctly analyzed. After that, certain behaviors in the job talks were mentioned. Answers to the questions “what should we do to make better personal relationships” and “what are the basic communication skills” were given.

Finally, problem solving techniques were covered. Under this title, the definition of “problem” was given and ways to solve a problem were examined.

The presentation of the training is attached

8.2. LEADERSHIP TRAINING

       YOGESH SHARDA, Individual training expert

As an introduction, the answers to the questions “Who is a leader?” and “How should a good leader be?” were analyzed. In the later sections, the types and characteristics of leaders were examined. The participants gave examples for these subjects such as Atatürk, R. T. Erdoğan, F. S. Mehmet. After that, the types of intelligence (IQ, IC, EC, SI) were examined. What should be done to be an impressive but also a pleasant leader was also covered.

In the last part, leadership conflicts in team work and the processes that people go through during formation of teams were covered. Also, the kinds of feelings that one should have in order to be a member of the team were covered.

The presentation of the training is attached

8.3. TEAM WORK AND PRESENTATION TECHNIQUES

       KEVSER YAVUZ (ASHOKA. Nations- Social entrepreneur network)

At first, a small survey was distributed for the participants to get to know each other. Generally, these questions were covered.

·        What is a team?

·        How is the process of becoming a team?

·        Why aren’t we a team?

In this training, the process of being a team was thought with active participation. The feelings of the team members (anxiety, trust, empathy, worry) were the focus of the training.

Contact Information:

-         http://turkey.ashoka.org  

-         Kevser_yavuz@yahoo.com