The 2nd Diaspora Youth Forum, organized under the umbrella of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), took place in Ankara, Turkey, from October 1-6. Attendees included Nafiya Horozoğlu, Chair of the Turkish Cypriot Youth and Family Association in the UK, Eren Ramadan, social media manager for UK Young Turkish Cypriots, and Oktay Nafi, a member of the CTCA Youth Management team.
The forum brought together 25 young people from diaspora communities from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and France, representing both OTS member states and observers. The event began with opening speeches from OTS Deputy Secretary-General Merey Mukazhan and Hakan Kazancı, Deputy Chairman of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). Participants discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination among young people in the Turkic diaspora.
During the event, Nafiya Horozoğlu delivered a presentation highlighting the identity crisis and assimilation challenges faced by Turkish Cypriot youth born and raised in the UK. She explained how she founded the Turkish Cypriot Youth Association UK in 2018 to strengthen young people’s sense of belonging while preserving their cultural identity. Emphasizing the role of Turkish language education and cultural activities, Horozoğlu noted that the association organizes sports and educational programs, as well as trips to Northern Cyprus, giving youth the opportunity to connect with their history and roots.
In her presentation, Horozoğlu stressed the need for broader cooperation under the OTS umbrella, advocating for the establishment of a network that would keep young people actively engaged beyond annual events. She presented a proposal aimed at achieving this goal.
Horozoğlu also expressed her intention to bring young people to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to help them explore its unique history, natural beauty, and cultural richness, enabling them to build deeper connections with their heritage. She emphasized that these visits offer an opportunity not only to learn about the past but also to forge strong bonds that will shape the future.
Throughout the forum, participants engaged in seminars and workshops aimed at finding solutions to the challenges faced by diaspora communities. They also met with YTB President Abdullah Eren for an in-depth conversation about shared history, culture, and the Turkish language. The forum included visits to Anıtkabir, sports activities, and culminated with participants attending the TEKNOFEST-2024 event in Adana.
TEKNOFEST attract the attached of budding aviation fan
The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) brought together young people from Turkic world diasporas at TEKNOFEST. Young engineering students, continuing their studies abroad and supported by YTB, participated in the festival as part of the 2nd Diaspora Youth Forum of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). These students met with other youth from the diaspora communities of OTS member states at TEKNOFEST in Adana.
YTB President Abdullah Eren addressed the young participants, expressing how important the festival is for showcasing Turkey’s technological advancements. He emphasized that YTB has been bringing youth, particularly those studying engineering, from Europe to TEKNOFEST since 2018. Eren remarked, “As Turkey’s diaspora organization, we do not distinguish between citizens living abroad and those residing in Turkey. We bring young Turks from Europe, especially those like you who are studying engineering, to this festival. We previously held this festival in Azerbaijan. This technology festival is tremendous—the world’s largest aviation, space, and technology festival. Here, we see the remarkable advancements Turkey has made, especially in defence technology, including aircraft, helicopters, rockets, and missiles.”
Eren also highlighted the importance of connecting the diaspora youth with their roots, stating, “We want our people living abroad to share in this excitement. That’s why, since the first TEKNOFEST in 2018, we’ve been bringing young people like you to this event. This year, 30 young engineers from our diaspora met with 25 youth from the diasporas of OTS member states at TEKNOFEST. Going forward, we will continue to connect our young people abroad with their roots and bring them together in their homeland.”
Next year TEKNOFEST will be held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
