On this page

1. Formal, non-formal and informal learning

2. Youth-targeted information campaigns on global issues

3. Information providers

4. Key initiatives

Formal, non-formal and informal learning

 The “International Relations” course is an optional course in the secondary education curriculum of the Ministry of National Education.   The course consists of 7 units which are as follows:

• Introduction to International Relations
• Actors in International Relations and Types of Actors’ Relations 
• Historical Development of International Relations
• Foreign Policy
• International Organisations
• International Issues
• Foreign Policy of Turkey

In the sense of strengthening youth solidarity and cooperation and giving chance to youth to take initiative for the world peace in the international arena, the “Turkey-Mediterranean Youth Peace Ship (Türkiye-Akdeniz Gençlik Barış Gemisi)” Project was realised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. 1000 youth from the four corners of the world both had the opportunity to see Croatia, Tunisia and Bosnia, and received education on the global issues in the ship and held discussions.

The component entitles “International Relations Camp” of the project titled “Leader Youth Camps” realised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports is a project aimed at the youth interested in the international developments, in which the youth are trained by the experts and academicians on global issues and international relations and provided with the opportunity for exchange of opinions. The goal of the project is to contribute to upbringing of the youth who will address to the international public opinion, put forth new ideas and initiatives, play an active role in decision mechanisms and implementation of the made decisions, predict the global issues, future.

Youth-targeted information campaigns on global issues

The “International Youth Works Information Workshops (Uluslararası Gençlik Çalışmaları Bilgilendirme Çalıştayları)” have been organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in many provinces to inform the youth on youth works in the international arena and to encourage the youth to participate in the youth works in the international arena. Workshops in which approximately 170 youth workers who have carried out and were carrying out works in the international arena were to come together accompanied by expert educators to share information and experience attracted great attention from the youth. On the first day of the workshops, in addition to sharing information on the nature of the youth exchange, legislation, information system of the youth exchange, experience was shared with presentations that were to be realised under the title model practices by provinces that had already realised exchange of youth and expert internationally. On the second day of the workshops, however, workshop works were carried out alongside the education on Erasmus+ and international youth works by the educators of the Turkish National Agency.

Information providers

In the Youth Centres, youth are always provided with information on international youth participation programs and cooperation opportunities in which the Ministry of Youth and Sports is responsible or a partner.

The Centre for EU Education and Youth Programs (National Agency) is the implementing authority for Erasmus+ Programme. The National Agency carries out awareness raising works on the opportunities on learning and cooperation presented for the youth, and guides the youth.

The Eurodesk is the European Information Network that provides information on the European opportunities for education for young people and in youth fields and participation of the youth in the European activities.

Acting in 33 European countries, the Eurodesk Information Network has been maintaining its activities in our country within the body of Turkish National Agency since 2008.

The Eurodesk services may include:

• Free question answering service (via e-mail, fax, phone, visit),
• Suggestions and help services for questioners,
• Providing internet access to European information on funds,
• Organising training and support services,
• Organising conferences, seminars and other activities,
• Printing and distribution of resource materials,
• Generalising the information regarding the Youth Program.

Key initiatives

Youth exchange programs implemented through Youth Centres by the Ministry of Youth and Sports assumes an important role in improving the youth’s cooperation in the international arena and increasing their interest in global issues. These youth exchange programs means international youth and/or expert exchanges realised mutually between the youth centres working under the Ministry of Youth and Sports and abroad institutions and organisation. The exchanges, primarily realised with public or private institutions or organisations observing public interest that are in the countries which had signed cooperation agreement with the Republic of Turkey or protocol with the Ministry and working in the field of youth. the Ministry may organise “Seminars on Establishing Contact” in certain periods. Seminars on establishing contact are held for the purpose of bringing the institutions willing for exchange together. Furthermore, youth centres may work in cooperation with youth centres that had already realised exchanges for finding partners.  The youth centres set the program of the realised exchange through consultation with the partner institution. The youth centres publish the announcement of the youth exchange and application address on the website and official social media accounts for at least ten days. Youth exchange participants are chosen by the assessment commission formed by the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sport among the people who fill in the form on the internet over the stated electronic address. The candidates who want to participate in the exchange may apply by filling in the electronic application form in the relevant youth exchange announcement in the website http://genclikdegisimleri.gsb.gov.tr.