The “International Networking and Civil Diplomacy Skills of Young People in the Digital Age” activity, organized within the scope of the Erasmus+ KA151 Youth Mobility supported by the Turkish National Agency and implemented by the Bülbülzade Association, was successfully completed on August 14, 2026, in Kızılcahamam, Ankara.

The Erasmus+ KA151 youth activity titled "International Networking and Civil Diplomacy Skills of Young People in the Digital Age", supported by the Turkish National Agency and implemented under the coordination of the Bülbülzade Association, was successfully completed with the closing program held in Kızılcahamam, Ankara. The activity, organized between August 10 and 14, 2026, was attended by Alaca Association from North Macedonia, USAP and Maarif Europe from Germany, Maarif Belgium from Belgium, IFS EMMAUS from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Novi Pazar Turkish Cultural Center from Serbia, New Horizon from France, and Bülbülzade Association, Anadolu Student Union, BEKAM, REFAR and Yeşil Umut Association from Türkiye. Over four days, the young participants received intensive training on topics such as civil diplomacy, intercultural communication and digitalization, and are preparing to return to their countries with the knowledge and skills they gained.

FOUNDATIONS FOR COOPERATION WERE LAID

The program, held at Eliz Hotel Convention Center Thermal Spa & Wellness, was carried out simultaneously with the 20th Anatolian Meetings. Within the scope of the program, seminars, workshops, policy development activities, simultaneous youth forums, peer learning activities, meeting and socializing events, a cultural night, quizzes and various social activities were organized. Thanks to the seminars, workshops and policy development forums held throughout the program, the foundations for new international collaborations were laid. The role of young people in building trust between societies was addressed with great care.

A KEY ROLE IN PREVENTING CRISES

The closing session held on the final day of the project was marked by colorful moments as the participating young people shared their feelings and thoughts. Taking the floor, the young participants emphasized the importance of getting to know different cultures and developing a common understanding. In their closing speeches, civil society leaders and academics stated that civil diplomacy plays a key role in preventing crises. The speakers expressed that listening is a virtue that heals people and opens the way to their hearts.

EMPHASIS ON INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD

Following the closing program, Youthpass certificates documenting the participants' learning outcomes were presented by the project coordinators. Following the certificate ceremony, the Cultural Night event began, creating a truly colorful gathering of cultures. The participating young people offered each other local snacks they had specially brought from their respective countries around shared tables, sharing different tastes. Throughout the night, traditional dances were performed to the accompaniment of national music from the participating countries, while the young people enjoyed memorable moments. This cheerful event, which gave participants the opportunity to get to know each other's cultures closely, further reinforced the project's emphasis on international friendship and brotherhood.