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1. Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level

2. Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the international level

Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level

During the process of determining policy measures and targets under the "Youth in the International Arena" policy area of the National Youth and Sports Policy Document, workshops, meetings, and special consultations with young people were held. These consultations and discussions addressed global issues, and the perspectives emerging from young people helped shape the general framework of the "Youth in the International Arena" policy area. In these policy-making and updating workshops, where young people were invited to discuss global issues, experts or academics specializing in international relations acted as moderators, ensuring that the agenda related to global issues was set and monitored.

To ensure that youth policies are effective, responsive, and aligned with young people's needs, the Directorate General of Youth Services organized the "Research-Based Youth Policies Meetings" in 2024 in collaboration with academics and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the youth field. This initiative consisted of a series of three meetings. In the first two sessions, academics conducting research and publishing reports on youth were invited to share their data and observations. In the final session of the series, representatives from NGOs actively engaged in youth work and research in Türkiye discussed youth and youth-related studies, with the results being documented in a report.

As part of the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day and Youth Week, representative youth participate in activities organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. A total of 166 representative young people, including one male and one female from each of the 81 provinces, as well as from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Azerbaijan, are selected. These representatives are university students (associate, undergraduate, or graduate level) who possess leadership abilities, actively participate in youth work, engage in volunteer activities, take part in sports, cultural, and social events, and serve as role models for their peers. They visit key officials such as the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and the Minister of Youth and Sports, while also attending official ceremonies and programs for Youth Week and the May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

The "30ALTI Youth Series" is a competency development program established by the Directorate General of Youth Services of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. This program believes in the power and potential of young people and aims to support their social, cultural, and academic development, provide them with in-depth discussions on specialized topics with experts, and foster idea exchange among youth from diverse backgrounds.

All young people aged 18-29 can participate in this program without any prerequisites. Interested applicants can submit their applications online following the official announcements. The program features panels, discussions, and workshops with expert academics, representatives from relevant institutions and organizations, and professionals from the fields of culture, arts, sports, and business.

The planned program themes include Economy, Agriculture, Culture, Arts, Media and Communication, Social Responsibility, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Sports, Health, Gastronomy, Science, Design, Climate, and Education.

Within the framework of the Erasmus+ Program’s Youth Participation Activity, project activities are supported that involve the active participation of young people in identifying societal needs or contributing to solutions for problems at the local, regional, national, or transnational levels. These issues include environmental challenges, climate change, youth unemployment, civic engagement, digital transformation, and more. This initiative also creates opportunities for young people and decision-makers to come together, discuss problems and needs, and explore potential solutions.

Directorate of Communications has organized a panel series titled "Inspiring Figures for Youth" to bring together accomplished scientists, artists, activists, opinion leaders, and athletes with young people, allowing them to share their experiences. The sixth edition of this series, titled "Trailblazers in Science and Sports," was held on January 24, 2023, featuring notable figures such as Burcu Özsoy, Bilge Demirköz, Neslihan Demir, Cem Bölükbaşı, and Ömer Onan, who shared their life experiences with young participants.

The "Journalism for Juniors Project," launched by TRT in 2017, is a social awareness initiative aimed at increasing young people's awareness and sensitivity to global issues. In 2024, the project was conducted under the Mobile Journalism Workshops framework, with 13 workshops held both domestically and internationally. Of these, six were abroad, and seven were within Türkiye. A total of 42 TRT personnel participated as trainers, reaching 934 students. In 2024, the project was carried out in cooperation with various institutions, including the Ministry of National Education (MEB), the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Yunus Emre Institute, Erasmus+, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Türkiye Maarif Foundation.

Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the international level

Under the "Cooperation Protocol on Youth Policies" signed between the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1994, annual exchange programs are organized to strengthen bonds and friendly relations between the youth of both countries. These exchanges, which are open to young people aged 12-26, aim to deepen cooperation in youth work and facilitate exchanges between young people and experts. The protocol serves to evaluate collaboration in youth policies, coordinate programs and initiatives, encourage new partnerships, and identify areas for further cooperation.

The protocol includes expert and youth exchanges in all areas. A "Turkish-German Joint Expert Commission" was established, comprising representatives from both countries. This specialized commission meets annually to determine exchange themes and organizational details. The planned activities for the following year are documented and implemented accordingly. The most recent "Turkish-German Joint Expert Commission" meeting took place in Eskişehir between July 2-6, 2024, coordinated by the Directorate General of International Organizations and Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The first phase of the Turkish-German expert exchange, focusing on "Participation and Empowerment," addressed youth participation, volunteering, social inclusion, civic engagement, and personal development. The second phase of the meeting was held in Germany from November 25-28, 2024. A notable innovation in this session was the inclusion of three NGOs from Türkiye, based on a request from the German side, aiming to establish a broader foundation for youth policy collaboration.

Under the Cooperation Program between the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) for 2024-2027, two "OIC Young Volunteers Intercultural Learning and Sharing Camps" were held in April 2024, followed by two "International Media Training Camps" in September 2024. These camps took place at the Alaaddin Keykubad Youth Camp in Antalya and the Marmaracık Youth Camp in Istanbul.

For 2025, in agreement with ICYF, four international camps are planned: two "International Media Training Camps" and two "OIC Young Volunteers Intercultural Learning and Sharing Camps," targeting a total of 300 Turkish and international youth.

The Presidency’s Directorate of Communications launched the "Citizen Diplomat Project" in June 2024 to ensure that Turkish citizens representing Türkiye abroad can effectively counter prejudices, strengthen mutual understanding between Türkiye and foreign communities, and be well-informed on key international topics. This project primarily focuses on raising awareness among young people traveling abroad through exchange programs, positioning them as public diplomacy actors.

NEXT by TRT World Forum, first launched in 2022, is a platform where distinguished journalists, academics, NGO members, and entrepreneurs share their voices and exchange ideas. The third NEXT by TRT World Forum event, held on May 18, 2024, at Istanbul Zorlu PSM, explored future challenges and pressing contemporary issues. Topics included technology, sports, arts and culture, health, environmental sustainability, and media transformation. The event featured interactive and thought-provoking activities under thematic sessions such as NEXT Art&Culture, NEXT Tech, NEXT Travel, NEXT Health, NEXT Business, NEXT Media, NEXT Society, NEXT Planet, NEXT Leads, and NEXT Sport.

TRT Türk broadcasts programs like "What Young People Say" and "Your Microphone," offering platforms for young Turks in Europe to share their perspectives on migration, Islamophobia, multiculturalism, and other socio-political issues.