4.8 Current debates and reforms
Address:
Ministry of Youth and Sports of Republic of Türkiye
General Directorate of International Organisations and Foreign Relations
Söğütözü Mah. 2176 Sokak No:25 Çankaya / Ankara
TR-06590 Ankara
Tel:+ 90 312 551 62 34
E-Mail: alptekin.avsar@gsb.gov.tr
Website: www.gsb.gov.tr
Forthcoming policy developments
One of the prioritised matters within the scope of social inclusion for youth is taking and expanding measures for the social inclusion of young people under temporary protection in Türkiye. Syrians who took refuge in Türkiye are primarily covered by the temporary protection regime. In this respect, policy discussions and ongoing policy directions focus on language education, access to education, improving employability and job opportunities, and activities supporting social cohesion and cultural adaptation (see also implementation-oriented initiatives such as PIKTES / PIKTES+: PIKTES official website).
In addition, strengthening the link between social inclusion and employment—particularly through measures to increase the employment of persons with disabilities—remains a policy priority. National-level planning frameworks also include objectives related to strengthening social cohesion services and improving integration outcomes for groups under international/temporary protection within the youth field (Twelfth Development Plan 2024-2028).
Finally, revision and update works of the Youth and Sports Policy Document have been reported as ongoing in the Youth Wiki context, with an expectation that the process would be concluded by adopting a new Youth and Sports Policy Document (Youth Wiki 1.3 National youth strategy – Revisions/updates: Youth Wiki 1.3).
In addition to conventional educational, cultural and psychosocial support approaches for ensuring the social inclusion of vulnerable groups and socially excluded young people, there is increasing emphasis on using social activities (especially sport) as a practical tool for socialisation and inclusion.
In parallel, debates continue on how youth centres can be used more actively and effectively to address social exclusion at local level, including through targeted outreach, inclusive programming and cooperation with local stakeholders (for youth centres as a key delivery channel, Youth Centres – General Directorate of Youth Services).