BİZ BİR AİLEYİZ SAYI 10 EN

FAMILY

We are a family

Q U A R T E R L Y

C U L T U R E

A N D

A R T

M A G A Z I N E

Published by Ministry of Family and Social Policies.

Year 3

| April May June 2015 | 10

file

DISABILITY three mistakes

in respecting values Prof. Dr. Üstün DÖKMEN

parental attitude suggestions for

healthy child psychology Ayşe Başak Erk

Ramadan is hole different in

İstanbul

Melih Uslu

Introduction Ayşenur İSLAM Minister of Family and Social Policies

As the Ministry, by developing separate and new policies for all the cornerstones of a family, we look after our women, children, the aged, the disabled, relatives of the martyrs and veterans, in short, all the elements that compose and integrate it. With these borne policies and projects combined with our traditional values, our culture and beliefs, we aim to enable the protection of family structure, newly formed families to be built on strong foundations and nursing and protection services for the children in need of protection under the best circumstances.

Through a family-based point of view, we have developed and continue to develop new programmes and projects which consist of different application modules in accordance with eclectic, integrated and varying conditions with multidimensional and comprehensive studies in all fields related to the women, men, children, the aged and people with disabilities.

On the main basis of our policies regarding children lies the nursing services and family. For children under the protection of the institutions, we have adopted the home-like nursing system instead of a dormitory or congregate care system. In this sense, we have completed the service transformation in our institutions by 90 percent. Thanks to our program named “Anka”, we achieve more efficient and fruitful outcomes in rehabilitation of the children.

The protection and development of human rights and social status of women, the prevention of any kinds of discrimination, violence and abuse against women are among the primary policies of our Ministry. We will, as the Government and the Ministry, continue to struggle with this crime against humanity called “violence against women” until these measures produce one hundred percent results. We have to work together, evaluating this as a social project.

By gathering all social aids toward the family, children, women, the aged, the disabled and relatives of martyrs and veterans under the same roof, we prioritize a service understanding based on fair and equal sharing. To this end, we are trying to redefine the “poverty” and “deprivation” terms on scientific methods. As the Ministry, we have policy-making,

standard-defining, monitoring and supervising structures in our services. Furthermore, we ground on supply-oriented service, protective and preventive approach, integrated service providing and interdisciplinary attitude.

For a non-disabled Turkey, we attach great importance to full participation of our people with disabilities into social life. For some time now, Home Care Cost practice is in progress, which is a revolutionary system for the disabled. When the care costs are borne by the relatives of the disabled who are in need at home, we pay monthly minimum wage to those taking care of the disabled individual. Thus, our people with disabilities maintain their lives with their families in a healthy, peaceful and secure environment. 450 thousand 31 people benefited from home care services in the year 2014.

In our nursing homes all around Turkey, we are providing service to our aged people whether they have social insurances or not. The support for home care, which is a new service model toward the aged, is for the aged who live alone at Service Centers for the Aged where day-care nursing solidarity services are provided and for those who live by their families not preferring the nursing homes. We are also trying to develop more practices for the nursing of our elderly who needs special assistance, which will be more useful at-home in diseases like Alzheimer. We have developed a new model called “Living Homes for the Aged” which is a new practice for increasing the life standards of the aged without being isolated from the social environment and providing the care they need. This is applied at homes which are the closest to their real living spaces in cases when they cannot be supported together with their families. We are serving our elderly with this “Living Homes for the Aged” which has been developed taking into consideration all requirements of the aged. In this center which totally gathers four to five people, every elderly has a room of his/her own.

It is our main duty, for the beautiful people of this nation, to provide a more livable country, to create more livable streets, neighborhoods and buildings and to realize projects which will, without losing their joy of life, enable our citizens to play a role in social life and use their power as productive and active individuals.

CONTENTS

file disability 18 THREE MISTAKES IN RESPECTING VALUES

4 parental

attitude suggestions for healthy child psychology

12

Where does this technology stand in my life?..............................14

Interview with Visually Impaired Swimmer Fedai Özal................19

Turkish Sign Language.................................................................20

Supported Employment...............................................................23

Sheltered Workshops...................................................................26

Yıldıray Arslan: The Trust of Our Martyr........................................29

Lady Sahavet................................................................................30

Audio Description........................................................................32

First International Family Films Festival.......................................36

Ramadan and Sherbet Culture.....................................................46

Social Aids....................................................................................50

Ramadan is whole 40 different in

İstanbul

Deep Destruction of Loneliness and Lack of Communication.......54

Let’s not Waste our Bread!...........................................................58

Family Life in Birds.......................................................................60

“We Are A Family”

Published quarterly by the Ministry of Family and Social Policies. It is published once in three months.

The Owner of the Magazine

On behalf of Ministry of Family and Social Policies Assoc.

Doç. Dr. Mustafa DURMUŞ

Editorial

Editor-in-Chief

Tanıl Can BAYOĞLU

Editorial Board

İrfan ÇAYBOYLU Dr. Sermet BAŞARAN Emre TÖRE Dr. Dursun AYAN Samet CEYHAN Ozan İLTER Bengin EFETÜRK Aysun TÜRÜT Oya TANYERİ Handan ARSLAN Özlem YÜKSELBABA Serpil PENEZ ŞAHİN Nermin ÖZTÜRK Hakan AYDIN

Advisory Board

Çiğdem ERDOĞAN ATABEK Nesrin ÇELİK Ebubekir ŞAHİN İmambey ERTEM Mustafa KARAMAN İsmail YÜKSEKTEPE Temindar AYTEKİN Gülser USTAOĞLU Gamze AYRIM Selami GÜDER Kenan ÖNALAN Prof. Dr. Vedat IŞIKHAN Doç. Dr. Ayşe Sezen SERPEN Doç. Dr. Cengiz ÖZBESLER Hümeyra ŞAHİN Dr. Murat YILMAZ

Redactor

Reyhan Tutumlu

Cover Photograph by Ersin Berk

Administration Address

Söğütözü Mah. 2177. Sok. A Blok No: 10 Çankaya/Ankara

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Date of Publishing and Number of Copies:

25.06.2015, 4000 copies The legal responsibility of the articles are on the authors.

For all articles, researches and critics you demand to be published, bizbiraileyiz@aile.gov.tr For Digital copies: kutuphane.aile.gov.tr/sayfa/ bizbiraileyiz

Tanıl Can BAYOĞLU

Hello dear readers, We are glad to meet you again with a new episode. As in the other episodes, we have selected a file topic in this issue as well, which is “Disability”.

Our social perspective which may be summarized with the sayings of Yunus: “should you not treat 72 nations equally, it is rebel in reality even if you lecture people” is like a guide to us in every fields of life. In this mentality, disability is seen only a difference rather than being a deficiency.

This sensibility is always visible when our civilization and its founding assets are scrutinized.

Visually impaired architect Carlos Mourao Pereria remarks “I am a fan of Istanbul and Ottoman architecture, because the historical places were built taking into consideration the people with disabilities and they appeal to all senses” reminds us how strong our social sensibility is. Likewise, we figure out from Evliya Çelebi’s notes that there was a hearing impaired community serving in Ottoman courts between 1500’s and 1700’s.

In our day, Turkey’s aggressive attitude for civilization has brought forward some remarkable changes and developments in our sensible acts. You may have the chance to find our Ministry’s services provided for the disabled citizens in this episode. To highlight some of the major headlines of this episode: We are sure that you will devour the article penned by Üstün Dökmen. Child development specialist Ayşe Başak Erk will also provide us with 11 gold suggestions. Expert in our Ministry, Ahmet Rasim Kalaycı, will display the technology-child-parent trio with a remarkable comment. As we are approaching Ramadan, our travel writer Melih Uslu will take us to the fascinating atmosphere of Istanbul. We thought Ramadan will be nothing without sherbet, so Tolunay Sandıkçıoğlu distilled tasty sherbets to us from his delicious pen. I am now leaving you with our magazine, which I believe will be a company to you with more joyful writings inside and wish you all to have a good time.

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Life

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Three Mistakes in Respecting Values

Prof. Dr. Üstün Dökmen Ankara University

THREE MISTAKES IN RESPECTING VALUES

“

If you ask somebody in the street whether s/he regards the social values or not, s/he will say “yes” without any hesitation. In theory, we all attach importance to these values. Yet in practice, we incessantly violate these values

Source: http://www.canakkale.bel.tr/assets/eskisite/images/content/ustun_dokmen_2013_3.JPG

“

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>> Values Social values form a great part of human lives. It is a consistent and deep-felt belief that a certain human act or life purpose is superior to the other. The values change in time varying in different societies. The societies appreciate some attitudes in line with their values.

First Mistake: Respecting the values depending on where we are We respect some social values in some surroundings and we don’t in some.

For example, values such as loyalty, love, courage, friendship, hygiene, respect, honesty, kindness and etc. are social values that are considered important.

For example, we stop at traffic lights if traffic police is around, if s/he is not, we do not. This is the first mistake in respecting values. Such mistakes occur when we do not interiorize the values, otherwise, if you do interiorize the values, you act accordingly under all circumstances.

The values mean something within the society itself; and those who act in accordance with these values are precious in the eye of the society.

“Hygiene” can be interpreted as one of our values. This value, unfortunately, is respected by at least one part of the society depending on the surrounding conditions.

Three Mistakes in Respecting Values

For instance, nobody spits on a carpet, to the aisle while at home or do not toss out a cigarette butt. Yet I see many people who do these in the streets. We act depending on the circumstances.

If you ask somebody in the street whether s/he regards the social values or not, s/he will say “yes” without any hesitation. In theory, we all attach importance to these values. Yet in practice, we incessantly violate these values.

There are three basic mistakes, which we get used to doing, in respecting values: We respect the values depending on where we are.

We respect the values depending on our mood; whether we are in high spirits or in good mood or not.

We respect the values depending on whom we are with.

Now, let’s try to explain these three mistakes.

If you build up excuse sentences starting with “but” while trying to explain why you have not respected a certain value, this attitude means that you have not adopted that specific value wholeheartedly.

While visiting a European country, our citizens do not spit on the pedestrian ways or throw litter on grass after having a picnic, but they act differently upon crossing Kapıkule gate.

If I ask him why s/he throws litter here but not there s/he will most probably tell me: “But everybody does this here”.

We use this sentence as a self-defense while we respect the

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values depending on where we are: “But everybody does this here”.

And, unfortunately, the list goes on: if somebody evades tax, s/he says: “Everybody evades tax here”. If someone is violating the traffic rules, s/he says “But nobody obeys the rules, why should I?” If you build up excuse sentences starting with “but” while trying to explain why you have not respected a certain value, this attitude means that you have not adopted that specific value wholeheartedly.

Somebody who wholeheartedly adopts a value would not respect that value depending on where s/he is. S/he will respect it in any case, without minding the others.

I do not throw litter in Western countries nor in my country as well. I do not throw litter to a clean street. Similarly, I do not throw litter to dirty streets that are contaminated by others. That dirty street may deserve to be thrown more litter, but I do not deserve to throw litter there.

If we have adopted and interiorized a social value wholeheartedly, we will respect that without minding what others do or where we are.

I find it difficult to understand how a person who has not spitted on the carpet at his/her home can easily spit on a street. I always think that this should have a reasonable explanation. Finally, I have come across that explanation in Ekrem Işın’s book “İstanbul’da Gündelik Hayat” (Daily Life in Istanbul) after years of waiting. Işın’s explanation or claim on this issue is retrospective and hard to prove. Yet it is interesting. It argues: There were three holy places in old Istanbul. Mosques, bazaars and houses. People did not stroll in the streets and would not go out often. They passed the streets to reach one of these holy places. The windows of the houses were quite restricted and these windows were facing the closed indoor areas called “life”.

That dirty street may deserve to be thrown more litter, but I do not deserve to throw litter there.

Particularly the lives of women were passing in this living space. Yoghurt dealers and milkmen came to the doors; the home was sacred.

Within this lifestyle, streets were not holy, they were abandoned to dogs. There were two things that boggled the minds of Western outsiders in Istanbul.

First was plenty of dogs that were in the streets; the second was seeing too few people at the same place.

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example, one of the reasons why we easily throw litters on picnic areas or on cities today may be explained with the ease of our ancestors about the environment who sustained a nomadic lifestyle. They had the chance to leave their wastes in nature while migrating from plateaus, which would be absorbed in nature.

Yet, today, tin cans or nylon bags cannot be absorbed by the nature. Maybe for this reason alone, our old habits cause problems in the new world.

The reason to end these is simple: Not abiding to the value of being hygienic depending on where we are is not something simple, yet rather a multivariate and complicated event. We cannot pull off by calling who throw litters on streets or who leave their dogs’ excrements on pavements “coarse or impolite”.

We need to think and interpret the events more elaborately.

Second Mistake: Acting depending on our mood There is a common attitude. If we are bored or in a bad mood, we act impulsively or obstinately. It feels natural for us to act so. If we are bored at the office, we act angrily toward our family, if we are stressed at the traffic we storm at people at the office. Though, we do not have to act such.

Istanbulites were merciful. They used to carve stone bird nests (bird palaces) at façades of big buildings. Street dogs, on the other hand, were fed with not only leftovers but with pap especially prepared for them.

Dogs were regarded filthy (makruh), were not allowed in houses, and thus left in the streets. According to Işın the reason for this is that streets were not deemed holy, so people would leave them to dogs.

If this explanation was true to some extent, for generations, people may have learned to keep their houses clean but ignored the streets.

Many other explanations can be made on the issue. For

Whether we are in high spirits or not, we may and have to act respectfully toward the people in our surrounding.

Koreans showed us how to act respectfully toward others even when in low spirits.

The habitual attitude for football audience in our country is to enjoy and clap if your team has won and to get angry and not clap, if not.

However, Koreans were clapping even if they lost the game.

They were beaten, sad but clapping despite these facts.

See what I try to state. Whether we are in high spirits or not, we may act respectfully toward the people in our surrounding. Like the Koreans did.

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some even harm the seats. This is not an attitude that may be accepted natural.

We do not need to upset others at home, at a game or at office just because we are not in high spirits.

Whether we are in high spirits or not, we may and have to act respectfully toward the people in our surrounding.

Third Mistake: Respecting Values depending on who we are with Our criterion for respecting some values is dependent on who we are with.

We do not need to upset others at home, at a game or at office just because we are not in high spirits. Whether we are in high spirits or not, we may and have to act respectfully toward the people in our surrounding.

A TRT speaker, who was narrating the consolation match at World Cup, told with his fluent Turkish and all time courtesy: “Dear audiences, you will not believe me, but, not a single Korean left the stadium with only one minute from time.”

The game was over and the Koreans were beaten. The astonishment in the voice of the speaker grew bigger.

Because none of the Korean audience left the stadium and moreover they were applauding both teams.

Furthermore, two flags appeared in the tribunes. Turkish flag was bigger in size, Korean smaller. (That must be the courtesy of the host) I do not go to stadiums to watch a game but as far as I know, such a thing does not happen in our stadiums. When one of the teams is close to defeat, the supporters of that team start to leave the stadium before the final whistle. Moreover,

For example, we act respectfully against people who are either physically stronger than us or who are in better statutes. If we deem somebody as not being strong, then we do not show respect or need to take our attitudes under control. However, honors of all people are equal, no matter what their colors, gender, ages or statutes are. For this reason, without making any discrimination, we should pay respect to all.

People have equal honors The humanity does not know, moreover does not know that it does not know. And that makes me upset. Stop somebody on the street and ask whether s/he is respectful toward the people. They all will say “yes”. Yet among those saying yes, there are some seniors reprehending the employees making mistakes; one is teacher for example, shouts at the students who has not done their homework; one is doctor calling the peasant “you” but the townsmen “Sir”; maybe one is police officer insulting the thieves.

No matter how much they claim that they respect people, this senior, this teacher, this doctor or this police officer is not respectful, because: You should differentiate the individual and misconduct.

You may criticize the mistaken behavior and you may even impose a sanction due to this behavior, still you do not hold the right to criticize someone in all aspects.

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The honor of a professor is equal to the honor of a garbage man; a doorman’s to a director general’s; a doctor’s to his/her patient’s or caregiver’s; an inspector’s to a thief.

Criticizing someone in all aspects is disrespect for human, a negligence for human dignity.

The honor of a professor is equal to the honor of a garbage man; a doorman’s to a director general’s; a doctor’s to his/ her patient’s or caregiver’s; an inspector’s to a thief.

You call it a hypothesis or a dogma, the honors of all mankind are even on earth. The knowledge, powers or statutes of people may vary, yet the honors are equal.

No individual shall be humiliated for the color of his/her skin, gender, beliefs and a misconduct.

Let’s assume that a thief has 10 actions and nine of which are approved but the tenth leads him to theft. You can take him/her under arrest and even impose sanctions for this tenth action. Yet you do not have the right to criticize him/ her in all aspects and humiliate as you wish.

Inmates or prisoners have their rights; if you breach those rights you will be deemed guilty as well. Suppose that you will execute someone in line with the laws of a country. You do not have the right to famish or swear at that prisoner before the execution.

The honor of that prisoner is equal to the honor of the warden and to mine as well.

Mine is equal to a garbage man’s. That garbage man does not have the authority to lecture in my faculty, similarly I do not have the power to remove a litter basket on the street.

That garbage man is the king of his place.

If he visits his village they kiss his hand. I do not feel superior to him anyway.

My honor is equal to a lady’s who lives by cleaning toilets. If she is late for her home, her daughter welcomes her at the

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Why do we show respect to bread? Because it is a blessing. Well, what about our spouses and children? Are not they blessings as well? door and kisses her cheeks saying “Mom, you are late”. My wife’s kissing my daughter, that girl’s kissing her mother’s cheek or a daughter’s kissing her mother’s cheeks who were convicted of theft are the same thing, there is no difference among these. All people have equal honors.

With the expression of Native Americans “Mitaku Oyasin” (We are all -including the animals and plants- brothers) If a prisoner has some wrong behaviors, you should train or discipline him/her. (In future, prisoners will be cured) How can I think that I am more honorable than a person who can be trained or treated? Today we proclaim amnesties at times, for that we cannot treat or train prisoners. Have you ever heard that hospitals proclaim amnesties and discharge patients earlier just for the sake of their own good?

People do not want to think that their honors are equal.

They feel themselves superior to others.

An administrator, an inspector remain distant to people s/ he is in business relations with to duly perform duties at the beginning.

Gradually this distant attitude becomes a selfrighteousness.

Due to this distance and their hierarchical positions, they start to feel superior to the others in all aspects including dignity. This leads the distance to grow.

As a result, their loneliness grow bigger, they upset the others and the efficiency of the work declines.

In an oral examination, a professor may hold a mechanical examination with the facial expression of an inquisition judge, without making any humanistic contact with the applicant just to justify him/herself from a connection with him/her. Or, s/he can do the same exam by assuming an objective attitude at his/her profession but equalitarian and respectful with human dignity at personal interaction,

distinguishing between the profession and personal matters. S/he could start with building humanistic affairs by smiling at the applicant and asking her/him how s/he is.

An inspector may act seriously at the beginning, start feeling like Zeus after a while and may not to respect anyone but the head of inspection board finally; or s/he can act respectfully toward all people distinguishing between the profession and personal matters. That is no hindrance for him/her to be objective at her/his profession.

Those who feel superior to others, those who incurably admire their dignities, those who do not improve themselves regarding human affairs with self-education remind me of the turkey in “The Education of Little Tree”.

This interesting novel tells the relation between Native American grandfather and grandmother and the kid called Little Tree.

The grandfather of Little Tree digs a deep tunnel covered with branches lower than the length of the turkey and connects it to another deep pit. From the surface of land through the tunnel he splatters sweetcorn. The wild turkey passes through the tunnel eating these by ducking its head and ends in the pit. It raises its head, the pit is open on the top but deep. It has only one way out; returning from the tunnel ducking its head. But the turkey cannot make its way out of the pit as it cannot contrive to lower its head.

Little Tree asks his grandfather “Grandfather, why cannot it get out of the tunnel by lowering its head?” The grandpa says: “My little boy, the turkey thinks itself superior, it does not believe that there are new things that it could learn, it cannot lower its head as it is not modest; so it cannot rescue from there.”

We all may face being stuck at pits. But if we believe that all the people are equally honorable, this will be more than far from us.

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Instead of trying to become a more honorable person, maybe it is wiser to try to become more knowledgeable, more optimistic, and more affectionate. There is a saying in Anatolia: “Empty heads are always arrogant”. With a modest and equipped head, our life quality will improve.

Bread or Human?

Which one is respected more; bread or human? From what we observe, we can say that bread is respected more in our country. We have mentioned above that there are three types of –which we get used to doing- mistakes about respecting values.

When some values are at question we do not make these mistakes. One can rarely see those mistakes done when the topic is bread.

No matter where we are – either at home or on the street – we respect the bread. We do not step on it, do not jump over it and even we kiss it as show of respect. The respect shown to bread is beyond its size and quality. While taking a bread from the floor we do not make a distinction on whether it is

big or small; wheat or barley. Whether we are in high spirits or not, we do not step on the bread.

We do not make these three basic mistakes in the example of bread. In short we show great respect to bread. We will maintain a more peaceful life if we adopt the same attitude against each other.

Why do we show respect to bread? Because it is a blessing.

Well, what about our spouses and children? Are not they blessings as well?

What about our students, apprentices and neighbors? Are not they blessings?

It would be lovely if we show the very same respect to each other.

I have never witnessed a piece of bread being stepped on in my country. But I have witnessed for several times somebody lying on the floor being kicked. I hope the days that we show respect to each other like a piece of bread on floor is soon to arrive. (I think those days are approaching)

Empty heads are always arrogant

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Teaching

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11 Parental Attitude Suggestions

Ayşe Başak Erk

Expert Developmental Psychologist

parental

attitude suggestions for healthy child psychology

Parental attitudes are major elements in child development.

We can list 11 examples from these attitudes. >> 1. Show respect to your child. No matter how young s/

he is, your child has his/her own demands, emotions and thoughts. For this reason, pay respect to the character and features of your child. Children easily sense those respecting themselves and better communicate with those people.

2. Listen to your child. Listen to him/her effectively to

understand his/her point of view and emotions. Pay attention not to be engaged in another activity while listening to your child. Learn how to communicate healthily and effectively with your child.

3. Set your boundaries. Children feel safe within the

boundaries set by their parents. They feel comfortable upon knowing that the outcomes of their attitudes are definite and predictable. So, it is important to have constant boundaries and sanctions.

4. Understand how your child feels, develops empathy. Try to understand his/her real problem and emotions instead of punishing immediately when s/he shows improper behaviors. Keep in mind that every feeling s/he has is natural and try avoiding to despise his/her feelings. Do not use expressions like “There is nothing crying for like a baby”.

5. Appreciate and encourage your child. Appreciate his/her positive aspects/attitudes with exalted remarks. You can hang a painting of him/her to your fridge which s/he made during the painting class. This will make him/her think s/he is a valuable and well admitted individual.

6. Keep your promise to your child. S/he can trust you while you keep your promises, feels precious and can motivate him/herself to keep his/her own promises.

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7. Limit your child’s access to technology. Yes, s/he can

receive useful information from internet or television, yet similarly, s/he may reach information and images not suitable for her/his age. For this reason, keep television and internet use under your control. Moreover, allow your child to play computer or video games suitable for the age restrictedly within the day.

8. Count your child in your responsibilities within the daily life as to his/her age and improvement. You may give him/ her tasks like buying a certain item at shopping or bringing his/her plate to the kitchen after the supper.

9. Provide your child a personal space. Every child needs a

personal time/ space which will teach him/her to decide on

his/her own and trust him/herself. Instead of letting your child entirely free, you may support him/her by creating personal spaces.

10. Your child is to be a “child�. Do not expect him/her to

be perfect. S/he will learn through making mistakes and experiencing the outcomes of his/her actions. Thus, your child will become a responsible individual during adulthood who will have no fear to try new things and who is aware of the effects of his/her behaviors.

11. Be a parent for your child; not a friend. What matters

is to spare your time with your child friendly without forgetting your role as a parent. As his/her parent, you need to talk to her/him about important matters, set boundaries when needed and guide him/her when s/he requires.

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W h e r e D o e s T h i s Te c h n o l o g y S t a n d i n M y L i f e

Ahmet Rasim Kalaycı

Directorate General of Family and Community Services

where does

this technology stand in my life?

It tells or shows you what to eat, what to drink, what to wear, what kind of a car or house you shall have instead of your lover, spouse, child, friend or neighbor. Tries its best for you to consume or to convince you; sends messages to your mobile phone and e-mail or calls instead. It is everywhere! On TV, on busses, trains, planes event at toilets. It never sleeps as if trying to make you believe that the meaning, value and luxury of life is this. >>

Now the system clearly reveals its marketing strategy toward a new generation raised with new communication technologies: addressing the greatest consumer mass who are the new generation children and their mothers who try to keep up with them… Women, the world’s greatest decision makers on consumption; new generation mothers with children at one hand, mobile phones, tablets, mini PCs and smart phones at the other… On the other side, different in everything from house to car or furniture to clothes new generation, in other words, internet era kids born after 2000 (or XYZ era).

The system now re-defines future marketing, distribution, sales and advertising strategies in all platforms as the traditional strategies fall short in reaching the consumers, selling and following the tendencies. For reaching this generation, it is indispensable for all the marketing strategies and supportive digital actors to use this technology. Because the only way to reach these internet era children and of course their mothers, who opened their eyes to this digital atmosphere, is with the new information technologies.

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A part of the educated mothers who will gradually increase in number, start to use internet more often to understand and communicate with their children. This is, of course, not only related to social networking. They, at the same time, follow some trademarks and like to follow every discounts, news and any developments about their children over here.

A great part of the mothers under this headline choose social media (particularly Facebook, Twitter etc.)

production and consumption thanks to the information technologies. In other words, through the new information technologies, marketing of the products in global level, monitoring of the consumer tendencies and these being recorded immediately and the controlling of production accordingly have become possible. What lies under the globally conducted practices based on economy (marketing, sales, etc.) is the dependency on new communication technologies.

Within this framework, now the production, marketing, distribution, sales and consumption strategies are being reshaped globally through these tools and this process never comes to a halt.

High efficiency in production, access of the consumer to the product at shortest and as a result high profit. The rapid circulation of the circle in short. The rapid implementation of required supervision, coordination, planning, monitoring and data recording functions to this end‌ The address of the solution and the rescuer is now obvious: new technologies‌

The function of New Communication Technologies in the Re-Production of System In our day, the international capital forms the required infrastructure in the reshaping and marketing of globalized

On one hand, people have found a way out of their national culture thanks to the global communication networks, that is to say have felt themselves global citizens in line with their choices.

The circulation of information, our new capital now, during the production and consumption stages almost makes our heads spin. Data gathering for controlling purposes, recording and monitoring processes are considerably at rise to this end.

Now, with the technologies used in houses of people, the programmes they watch are being recorded; their viewing tendencies are spotted; their demands over the internet at homes/offices are monitored; their consumption preferences, amounts and types are recorded by tracking their credit cards thanks to systems in shopping malls; their future consumption tendencies and demands are planned. The advertisements are designated according to these criteria and served to us. In short, the consumption community, tools, methods all serve us.

It tells or shows you what to eat, what to drink, what to wear, what kind of a car or house you shall have instead of your lover, spouse, child, friend or neighbor. Tries its best for you to consume or to convince you; sends messages to your mobile phone and e-mail or calls instead. It is everywhere!

On TV, on busses, trains, planes event at toilets. It never sleeps as if trying to make you believe that the meaning, value and luxury of life is this.

Presently, access to this digital environment and economy is restricted to a certain circle due to the inequalities on the

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use of it. Yet, it is for sure that it will reach a tremendous capacity, endorsement and greater masses. Although restricted for now, we begun to buy clothes, household goods and even holidays over the internet.

Now the tendency from tradesmen in the neighborhood to supermarkets and even hypermarkets shift to e-trade, banks or credit cards are more referred as aid and solidarity tools rather than friends; our tiny worlds for entertainment, conversation or trips are being shaped around internet, social media or shopping centers rather than picnics or neighbors.

Transformation of Family and Spare Time to Consumption Elements Capitalism primarily requires consumption to survive, the crisis that the system faces is the demand and consumption issue at the first place. The society, for this reason, is a consuming society and instead of family as a consumption unit, consuming individual, mother or child is at the forefront.

For this reason, the routine of daily life has become dependent on consumption and has been reduced to a marketable consumption object. Thus, capitalism, by declining the number of working hours as starter, has transformed the rest free (spare) times into a market of consumption.

Such a consumption based daily life routine has led the rapid spread of shopping centers, business centers and malls while, at the same time, transforming these places into consumption temples where amusement and consumption activities are integrated. These places, so to speak, have been turned into places for statute/identity seeking of the mass and spiritual purification.

The functioning, values and relations of a consumption society now surround a whole society, not just the economic field. In this restructuring process, these technologies have determinant roles.

Now we face a generation of internet.

Internet has quickly and silently sept into our elementary families almost as a new member of this union.

In fact, such use of technology gives us the message “You are enough by yourself, you do not have to put up with anybody, you can handle everything on your own”. So, new communication technologies suggest: “Only you are enough and the world is at your hands. With just one click, so to say consumption, you may solve all your problems; you do not even need to come together with others for this.”

In other words, “Carpe diem, enjoy the life, you matter, all ways are in front of you to this end, consume and show yourself”. Nowadays, these are the rising values and our new identities…

New Target: Our Houses and Families World spread banks or companies are not to conquer in this field which globalized by the integration of communication technologies and computers; instead, millions of households out of this circle. And now our houses become work places, consumption, education and amusement areas through the opportunities created by these technologies.

Internet, within this frame, was served to the world free of charge at first place, but later things changed. Because it is the best tool for future data communication and use.

The user has better understood what this data network can achieve and that one can earn money via this network.

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On one hand, people have found a way out of their national culture thanks to the global communication networks, that is to say have felt themselves global citizens in line with their choices. On the other hand, they found the chance to become members of virtual communities where they can “relax”.

these. Such that, these technologies almost shape our daily lives thanks to traditional communication tools (television, cinema etc.) and new opportunities and methods (internet, social media etc.) integrated with these tools. With the existence of a global culture, our lifestyles, products and identities are marketed.

At the end, they thought themselves the sovereigns of this virtual world against personal computers; to say in short “Everything is under my control”. In other words, people who are mostly engaged in these technologies has become the marketing target of universal companies.

Designated as a consumption and marketing unit within this sense, the significance of family or rather the individual gradually increase recently. Awareness raising within families has primary importance within this regard.

Because transforming countless data served into referable information is a work of consciousness and experience. From this point of view, the mentioned technologies can also be assigned positive functions due to the new opportunities and potentials they offer. The awareness of the families can be raised to use these technologies for such purposes. Such that, this education can again be provided by the use of these technologies. A remarkable role model is the “Family Training Project” (www.aep.gov.tr) which is approved by the relevant institutions in terms of content.

Now we face a generation of internet. Internet has quickly and silently sept into our elementary families almost as a new member of this union. The training of new values, personalities, relations and actions has shifted to other institutions rather than families recently. Because the system which determines the rise of our livelihood, promotion and salary is being recreated in social environments other than our relations with our families and relatives. As Oskay states: “as the family and inner circle lose importance in our lives, the authority in many fields such as education, promotion or having a good job shifts to social system rather than our families and inner circles. Because, the discipline, in-family control and the operation of letting all the family have a mindset to think in accordance with the social system are conducted by schools, trade bodies, televisions and written media today.” (Oskay, Peki Konuşalım) Now the new communication technologies have become the new masters of our minds.

Conclusion Within this framework, we cannot evaluate technology, effectively used in the new era, just a tool or an element which is economically predominant. Because new communication technologies have a determinant role in our daily lives, social relations and cultural elements shaping all

What needs to be remembered here is that this newly defined child and woman typology is more prone to adapting these technologies while the situation is vice versa for the old generation and the poorly-trained. Because regarding the access to these technologies, there has been great inequalities internationally depending on the level of development.

We are eventually mothers or fathers in this world, in a word, a family. We all survive with what we have lost besides what we have gained in this world which is surrounded more by these technologies. The greatest responsibility in this field is firstly on us, as mothers or fathers. Let’s keep in mind that a long walk starts with the first step…

Bibliography

Oskay, Ünsal, Peki Konuşalım, Epsilon Publishing House, 2004.

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file

disability

Interview with Visually Impaired Swimmer Fedai Özal

> Interview > 10 | April May June 2015 | FAMILY

I WISH TO MAKE OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM BE HEARD IN EUROPE!

Interview with Visually Impaired Swimmer Fedai Özel

>> Can you introduce yourself? Who is Fedai Özel?

I am someone that was born in 1978 in Aşağı Çalcı village of Hendek district in Sakarya province. I was married at the age of 30 and have a daughter. I am goose shepherd. Due to a natal problem, I gradually lost my sight.

There is a club for the disabled in every province. Young fellows should pick a branch and work hard. If I have succeeded at this age, they will of course succeed by working hard at the bottom of the ladder. Some friends even do not step out of their houses just because they are disabled.

Thus, I have met many people and have been to many places thanks to my sportive activities.

You are a visually impaired swimmer with 10 gold, 10 silver and 3 bronze medals. Could you tell us What is the difference between old Fedai Özal and how you took interest in swimming? present, what did swimming bring to your life?

I am graduate of primary school but I decided to take a course to learn reading braille as I thought it would be useful. There I met a friend named Yusuf who mentioned me a few years later that a sports club was being established for the disabled. I was not informed about such a thing as I lived in rural. But as soon as I learnt this, I made a research and went to the club. They asked me what I could do in Youth and Sports Club for the Disabled. I told them that I did not know swimming, in fact I used to swim in the creek at the village but that would not be enough for the competitions. But together we decided that swimming would be the best for me and we started working. After two months of training with the trainers, we traveled to Adıyaman for the Turkish Swimming Championship, where I became the champ breaking a record. I upgraded my record to 46 seconds, which was 49 seconds the year before.

What would you like to tell the visually impaired youngsters?

I tried to encourage many young fellows about this issue.

Sometimes I failed, sometimes I succeeded. Of course, economical problems hinder some of them to compete.

Economically, I cannot tell I have made extra money out of it. The prizes we have received as a result of our efforts are quite flattering. My goal is to be picked for the National Team. Sometimes I think to quit after unsuccessful competitions despite a hard work. Provincial Directorate of Sports values us too much. I would like to represent my country in Europe. Now there is the athletics competitions. If God permits, I will compete in shot put and circus throwing categories.

Lately, I won three golds, two silvers and a bronze in Turkish Championship of Long Course Swimming for the Visually Impaired held in Alanya. In fact, bronze medal is never among my targets, yet my performance declines a little after a few races in a row. They tell me not to compete but I cannot resist.

What are your future objectives?

My next objective is the Paralympic games. I have reached a certain level in Turkey but I would like to represent my country abroad now. As I am no longer young enough, I would like to do this immediately. I want to make our national anthem be heard in Europe. I believe in myself.

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Tu r k i s h S i g n L a n g u a g e

Oya TANYERİ

Directorate General of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly

COMMUNICATION WAY OF HEARING-IMPAIRED

TURKISH SIGN LANGUAGE Sign language isn’t a language commonly used all over the world. Each country has its own sign language. Moreover, it’s known that there are sign languages used in minor local surroundings within the boundaries of the same country but in different regions. >>

Cognitive and verbal skills, in other words thinking and speaking, are among the key features what makes a human and what differentiates it from all other living things. The desire to think in a certain way and transferring these thoughts, on the other hand, is possible through an abstract communication medium, which is called “language”.

Great philosopher Confucius emphasized the importance of language by answering the question: “If you were given the control of a country, where would you start making changes from?” in that way: “Without a doubt, I would start with reviewing the language. If language is faulty, then what is said is not what is meant: If what is said is not what it means, then what must be done can’t be done in the correct way, if they can’t be done in the correct way; morals and culture degenerate, then justice does too and the people can’t know what they should do. Because of this fact, language has a value above everything.”

Language, embracing views, senses, morals, culture, life, justice and humanity based on words, is a communication way as Kemaloğlu highlights, which use determined standard symbols for the transfer of senses, thoughts and information, which has a systematic and which has been handed down from generation to generation through learning by individuals who share common culture.

Although its most popular forms are talking and written language derived from talking; naturally born and selfimproving sign language is another form of language. It has evolved through the development of perceiving, labeling, learning and expressing skills depending on visual stimulus of the brain improvements of the individuals who have hearing problems since the period before the age two and who have not had the chance of audio rehabilitation. But it needs to be learnt and the existence of that language users is required to achieve this. Sign language is an inclusive language using finger, head, face, mimic, gestures and all of

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the body movements instead of audio symbols. That being a universal language is one of the leading misperceptions about the sign language, which is thought correct. Sign language isn’t a language commonly used all over the world. Each country has its own sign language. Moreover, it’s known that there are sign languages used in minor local surroundings within the boundaries of the same country but in different regions.

As in the spoken languages, sign language also continues to improve by complying with changing conditions and time.

In that process, language produces new words while erasing

some others. The language embodies all details In the usage of words, language includes every detail that we need like tropology, slang words and positive-negative transfers.

Sign language is the native language of the hearingimpaired. The most important feature of the native language is its being the most powerful factor which makes a nation a nation. Communication of people in the same society is basically provided with the native language. On the other hand, the social and individual aspects of the language needs to be separated from each other. The individual aspect of language varies from person

While showing local differences, Turkish Sign Language (TÄ°D) is also a common language, having a distinctive grammar structure, which is understood and used in all over the country. As in all other sign languages, its grammar structure is differs from the grammar of spoken language.

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to person depending on his/her characteristics, cultural identity, thinking skill and psychological situation. So, the language of two siblings, having been raised in the same family, having taken the same education and living in the same culture can be different from each other, particularly in terms of the use of vocabulary. This characteristic of sign language shows us that in addition to regional or environmental differences, individual ones also have an impact on the usage of sign language and this situation doesn’t result from incorrectness or deficiency of language but its aliveness.

While showing local differences, Turkish Sign Language (TİD) is also a common language, having a distinctive grammar structure, which is understood and used in all over the country. As in all other sign languages, its grammar structure differs from the grammar of spoken language. The show of words of a regular Turkish sentence with signs, even if it is correct in respect to meaning, grammar and usage, is defined as “Signalized Turkish”, which is used more and more recently. This use of language, emerged as a result of incorrect teaching of sign language and individuals trying to make contact with the hearing-impaired, is entirely far away from being a language and it can’t be understood by the hearing impaired as well.

TİD has a common social usage but officially it has not been adopted as a language of education yet. Therefore; students who studied department of teaching of the hearing-impaired graduated without learning TİD. The biggest problems caused by the present situation have been experienced in the schools of the hearing-impaired.

Although it is not officially used at pre-school education institutions or the school of the hearing-impaired (primary, secondary schools and high school) teachers were trying (and they are trying now) to learn the sign language to communicate with them. Just as we cannot learn Turkish from a primary education student in an appropriate way; likewise, the sign language, which has been banned all over the country or which tries to improve itself through

restricted sources within friend circles, cannot be learnt from primary education students as well. So teachers have given oral classes before the hearing-impaired crowded groups.

Although it is involved in the curriculum as an optional course in several departments of universities today, and even it became compulsory for the department of teaching of the hearing-impaired in the year 2015, there is no programme teaching TİD properly. Therefore, Turkish has remained a difficult second language in respect to understanding and performing for the hearing impaired, graduating from any educational institution since the year of 1950’s when the sign language was known to have been banned. Turkish vocabulary of the hearing impaired, who had problems in understanding the oral lessons as they were not able to hear, were restricted to daily and often used words and so they were obliged to choose vocational training or was made to choose through the curriculum. Although their skills on handicraft were improved they later became a huge group that can’t be communicated with.

Consequently, at this point, while the people who can hear, the “lucky ones”, among the two groups of people who can hear and who cannot, are taking advantage of the improving technology and living standards every moment, the hearing impaired, as “people with communication difficulties” are struggling to live with obliged and restricted living conditions.

Well, is it real that “people with communication difficulties” are the hearing impaired who create their own world despite all the impossibilities, in their own words “the deaf”?

Or is it us who are “people who can hear”, trying to rule the world rendered to perfection.

Bibliography Çankaya Üniversitesi Türkçe Birimi (I Ia7) “Dil Nedir?” http:/turk101.cankaya. edu.tr/uploads/files/Dil.pdf Kemaloğlu, Y.K. (2014), “KBB, Engellilik ve İşaret Dili”, Bozok Tıp Dergisi, cilt1, sayı1,55.38-53.

Supported Employment

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Directorate General of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly

Supported Employment Supported Employment is basically defined as a method supporting people with disabilities to find income-generating jobs at open workforce market and later to keep their posts. The keyword here being “support�, it involves the supporting of the disabled individual before, during and after the job as well as supporting the employer. The aim of the supported employment is to focus on the abilities of the individual and what the individual can do instead of doing the otherwise. >> Historical Overview of Supported Employment Examples from the World In countries where supported employment method is successfully practiced, things started with little projects.

These projects were later spread to whole country and made visible. Governments were soon interested after this success in employment and their wish to be included in this success led this method to be included in national policies. To give an example, this method started with two projects on mentally challenged people in 1992 in Austria and later in 1994, it transformed to a national program after being included in the Law on the Employment of the Disabled covering all the disabled people. In some countries where this method was practiced, it did not become a national program but it was practiced in several ways. Although not being transformed into a national program in the Czech Republic, it became widespread as a method conducted by the NGOs in every corner of the country as of 2000s. Despite giving the privilege to the mentally challenged, in Czech Republic, other disabled groups may also benefit from this service. According to the 2008 data, 900 disabled individuals were employed in the

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Supported Employment

open workforce market through the supported employment method with 19 projects practiced. The AGORA Project running in cooperation with the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Portugal and Spain, is another project creating opportunities about the supported employment.

The mentioned countries also established their own organizations for this model. While Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway swiftly switched to supported employment model, Finland and Iceland were the followers.

Historical Development in Our Country In our country as well, some parties (public institutions, organizations for the disabled, other NGOs, municipalities, employer associations etc.) are expected to generate projects in this field and to introduce the supported employment to the agenda of the country with the successes of these projects.

This method has not been put into practice in our country yet. Despite the “business and profession advisors� employed under the roof of ISKUR (Turkish Labor Agency) are envisaged to play a role within this scope, this has not been achieved in practice.

For a model to be practiced in all Turkey, policy development, planning on how to realize this project within the abilities of business coaches and presentation of this planning is required.

Join the Work, Join the Life Project Held in cooperation with the Ministry of Family and Social Policies and Garanti Bank, this project is practiced as a modelling study based on this necessity. With the outcomes to be gained, the expansion of the project and the development of new policy suggestions are aimed. This project is the first model in our country. Will set a precedent to private sector and will provide a spread in the system with the inclusion of business coaches into the workforce market.

The reason to extend the project is to set it as a model for other projects and practices.

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The project represents a promising brand new understanding in the employment of disabled individuals.

The idea, which the project is based on, shows major differences compared to approaches practiced in our country. First of all, individuals with insufficiencies are not employed as “disabled” in this idea. They seek to survive in competitive business market within their own abilities. With someone to support their efforts, an employment model depending on the areas of interest of these individuals, their preferences and abilities emerges. In the running of this model, the key factor is the business coaches that will work with disabled individuals.

Business Coaches in this project; Finds jobs for disabled individuals.

The business coach also go to work together with the employed, teaches him/her the job if needed, makes practices with for a while.

Gives information to the employer about the employee and how to make him/her work more efficiently.

After s/he gets used to working, the disabled individual start working alone. After this process, the business coach supports him/her from outside, finding solutions to the problems that may arise between the employer and the disabled employee.

Informs the employer, employee and the family of the disabled individual.

The greatest feature of this approach is the development of a support based model focusing on talents rather than disabilities and individuals rather than groups.

A product of the mentality “Every individual may take his/ her place in the business life”, with this project, “business coach” system which is a practice model of supported employment is practiced.

In this system, a business coach works with 5 disabled

individuals during 6 months and ensures full adaptation and orientation of the disabled into workplace. by determining the targets in this regard, the employment of 300 disabled individuals by 60 business coaches is aimed.

Within this scope, in Ankara, the employment of 75 disabled individuals by 15 business coaches in 6 months is targeted, 108 disabled individuals were employed and their adaptation to work was provided.

In Sakarya, the employment of 25 disabled individuals by 5 business coaches in 6 months is targeted, 36 disabled individuals were employed just in the second month of the project and the project is still in progress.

What has the project brought to individuals?

A 26-year-old orthopedically disabled individual, who was only out to go to hospital with his father before, visited Kızılay for breakfast for the first time and got on the minibus while going to work. This only became possible for him by starting to work with business coach before working at a ready-to-wear atelier.

A 19 year-old mentally challenged individual started to experience a first in his life finding the chance to communicate with his peers after starting to work at faculty of law at a private university. Later, the economic level of his family showed a development after his brother were employed at the same university.

A 24 year-old mentally challenged individual was employed for a position, after his father seized his salary, with the intervention of his business coach he went to a clothing store and bought something for himself.

While selling bagels on Ankara streets at early hours of the morning to look after his child and family, chronic kidney patient individual rescued from his often health problems after meeting the business coach within the project and starting to work at an enclosed area.

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Sheltered Workshops

Directorate General of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly

Sheltered

Workshops

A sheltered workshop is described as a workplace, the working environment of which is specially equipped and which is supported, technically and fiscally, by the government in order to provide occupational rehabilitation and to bring out employment for the mentally and psychologically disabled whose integration with the work power is so hard. >> A Historical Overview for the Sheltered Workshops Examples All Over the World Sheltered Workshops for the disabled have a long past in the United States of America. We can see the first traces of such work places in the Perkins Institute for the visually-impaired in 1840 and in the Pennsylvania Workers’ House in 1874. Wallin (1967) says that the aims of such work places are occupational development, occupational education providing competitive employment, academic development, healing and employing in a proper work and monitoring.

When we look at the historical development of the sheltered workshops in Europe, we see a different story for each and every country. In Finland, for example, the first sheltered workshops were founded, just after the First World War, with the support given to the establishment of crafts’ workplaces. In Norway, the first sheltered workshops had appeared, whereas in Austria only a few workplaces were founded before 1977.

When we look at the present, we see that these workshops have an important place in the employment of the disabled in Austria, Germany, Finland, Italy and Spain. Likewise, it is reported that the highest ratio has been reached in

the sheltered workshops in Belgium, Italy and Spain. It is well-known that, in Germany, 81% of the mentally and/or cognitively disabled people, whose employment in the open workforce market is so difficult, have been employed in the sheltered workshops.

The Historical Development in Our Country In our country, the production centers in which the disabled individuals have taken occupational education and participated in the employment to some extent, have undertaken a function similar to that of the sheltered workshops for many years, although there has been no legislative regulation.

In this context, between May 25 and June 12, 2014, 14 sheltered workshops in 3 regions were visited in order to describe the present situation in the field of sheltered workshops in our country and find out a new road map, and the information about the establishment of these centers, their structures, their challenges, their purposes and about working disabled has been collected, and these centers have been evaluated according to the sheltered workshops criteria. In light of these evaluations, it has been provided that sheltered workshops have taken their place in the legislation and they have brought into the agenda of the country.

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The products, being brought to the “Sheltered Workshop of Rain Hands Overcoming the Obstacles Thorough Production” after being sewed in the textile mills, are being cleaned up and sorted out from the defective ones in the quality control unit, and then are being brought to the ironing pack unit. Here they are classified according to their sizes and ironed and then labelled and packed.

Within this scope, the sheltered workshops were brought to the agenda for the first time with the “Disabled Act No.5378” which was effectuated in 2005 and with the “Statute about the Sheltered Workshops” prepared relying on the said Act, and the incentive regulations necessary for the establishment of the sheltered workshops have been materialized with the “Governmental Decree about the Organization and Services of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies.”

In this respect, with the new support regulations effectuated for the purpose of establishing sheltered workshops in our country, it has been provided that the sheltered workshops have been granted an income and corporate tax deduction and have been exempt from the environment tax and that a specific amount of the salaries of the disabled working in the sheltered workshops and the unemployment policy premiums of the employers have been paid by the state treasury. The study of a statute on the implementation of these incentives has still been going on.

In accordance with the Statute about the Sheltered workshops which was effectuated in November 26, 2013, the secretary proceedings of the sheltered workshops have been carried out by the City Directorates of the Family and Social Policies. Any employer who wants to get a status of

a sheltered workshop applies for the City Directorate of the Family and Social Policies in his/her own city.

Two Examples for the Sheltered Workshops Bursa-yagmur Çocuklar Otizmli Çocukları Destekleme Derneği (Bursa-Rain Children Support Association for the Autistic Children) “Yağmur Eller Engelleri Üreterek Aşalım Korumalı İş Yeri” (“Sheltered workshopof Rain Hands Overcoming the Obstacles Through Production”) This sheltered workshop, operating under Bursa-Rain Children Support Association for the Autistic Children which was established in January 2011 with the aim of supporting the autistic children and their families in and around Bursa, was officially launched in August 1, 2014 and started to produce.

The products, being brought to the “Sheltered Workshop of Rain Hands Overcoming the Obstacles Thorough Production” after being sewed in the textile mills, are being cleaned up and sorted out from the defective ones in the quality control unit, and then are being brought to the ironing pack unit. Here they are classified according to their sizes and ironed and then labelled and packed. After the barcode proceeding, they are sent back to the related firms.

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İzmir-S.S. Girişimci Engelliler İşletme Kooperatifi (İzmir-Social Insurant Enterprising Disabled Management Cooperative) “Sheltered Workshop” This sheltered workshop, operated by the Social Insurant Enterprising Disabled Management Cooperative in İzmirUrla, makes agricultural production.

The workplace was supported, in its establishment phase, by the Commission Authorized to use the Fines Issued for the employers violating the rule of Employing Disabled and Exconvict and the Commission is going on to support it under the scope of the project.

In the workplace, eight mentally or psychologically disabled, seven men and a woman, work and insured. The disability ratio of the workers is between fifty percent and ninety percent.

The workplace, employing eight disabled, is established on 56 acres of land.

The disabled working in the sheltered workshop has been trained by the expert trainers on ironing and got their certificates.

In the sheltered workshop, at the moment, worm manure is being produced.

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Department of Veterans and Relatives of Martyrs

The Trust of Our Martyr

Yıldıray Arslan

Ten thousands of our country’s children in Canakkale and Kars...

In Sakarya, Dumlupınar, Korea, Cyprus and many more...

Backbones of thousands of families, beloved ones of thousands of homes... White milk of their mothers, hennaed offspring, fifteen years’ old, the youngsters with no moustaches yet... They became unforgettable and got a rank that everybody cannot get...

485 of our Veterans were taken to Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic as part of “Veterans’ Cyprus Meeting Project” which was organized by the Ministry of Family and Social Policies Martyrs’ Relatives and Veterans Department. In the group, there was Yıldıray Arslan, the son of Alaettin Arslan who was martyred in the Cyprus Peace Operation in 174.

His father, Alaettin Arslan, was martyred and entombed in Cyprus in 1974, when Yıldıray Arslan was just 3,5 months old. Yıldıray Arslan is now 41 years old. He is provided with a Cyprus visit after 41 years. Yıldıray Arslan, who had never been able to visit his father’s tomb for economic reasons, visited his father’s tomb and had emotional moments. We are influenced very much with his solemn stance before his father’s tomb. He seemed as if he didn’t want to reflect his sorrow but the depth in his eyes denied it. Love, grief, joy, pride, compassion and patriotism... There was a shower of emotions.

Our state has always stood behind our martyrs’ relatives and our veterans. It has been endeavoring to make their social rights better and trying to provide better life maintenance for them. The Ministry of Family and Social Policies has been pioneering in this subject, has provided new rights for martyrs’ relatives, veterans, disabled war and service veterans, and for our terror-stricken citizens. One of these is the right of employment. Within this scope, Yıldıray Arslan was appointed as the Head of Balıkesir Social Security Institution. And now he is able to look at the future with more hope and confidence.

Yıldıray Arslan is the son of one of our martyrs. He is one of the martyrs’ sons who has never seen their fathers. Now he has a way in his life towards hope and happiness. Here we are, for this reason. And we have so many things to do, and we are conscious of this responsibility.

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Lady Sahavet

Hatice KURT

LADY SAHAVET Ankara University

1958, İzmir... The felicity of teacher Lady Sahavet and her spouse Doctor Hulusi was riveted with the delivery of a cherubic boy. They already had a daughter and now they had a boy as well. They named him Onur.

>> Onur had a stroke when he was 4. Only his beady eyes were responding. A new life started for the family. They clamped together around him.

Lady Sahavet was a teacher, she quit her job. She became a comrade, a teacher for her son. The treatment started in Turkey with scarce sources. Then Onur and his mother travelled to Germany near Onur’s uncle who was employed there, finding out that there was treatment on progress.

After three years, Onur was able to sit on wheelchair, which was a huge achievement. On the other hand, he completed his primary and secondary education as well.

Later they returned to hometown. Onur completed his high school education in İzmir as a successful student. His family found an opportunity for a special scholarship in Germany.

His mother was again standing next to him.

While he was 16, he became the youngest freshman having enrolled at Bochum University This successful youngster was granted privileged opportunities by the German government in terms of education. Now, Onur is an important science person who has discoveries on he universe of the brain.

He is the owner of the most elite scientific awards of Europe, Turkey and Germany. He is a member of German National Senate of Science Academy, working as the brain of Germany.

He has four major books on subject of brain. Besides his international articles published, he is involved in 12 scientific boards in several countries including the USA, Austria and Germany and serves as an arbitrator in the world’s most elite 46 science magazines and as an editor in 9 scientific publishing houses.

Among his awards Republic of Turkey Order of Merit, TGNA Honorary Award, Gerhard Hesse Award, Province of North Rhine- Westphalia Order of Merit can be listed. At the same time, he is the owner of Leibniz Prize, which is the greatest prize granted to a science person in Germany.

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Minister of North-Rhine Westphalia Province was present, Onur told he was always proud of being both a German and Turkish citizen

In the life of Prof. Dr. Güntürkün, his mother’s resolve and determination were quite influential. With her determinant, resolved and conscious approach, Onur Güntürkün attained a non-disabled life.

A lady sitting in the front and clapping with tears on her eyes was particularly drawing the attention. She was Lady Sahavet, the mother of Prof. Dr. Drs. Onur Güntürkün. The father had passed away.

Lady Sahavet was a teacher but her greatest teaching experience was with her only son. She quit her profession after Onur had poliomyelitis and devoted her whole life for her son to hold on to life. She showed both her daughter and son how it felt like being a family in such tough days.

In the life of Prof. Dr. Güntürkün, his mother’s resolutıon and determination were quite influential. With her determinant, resolved and conscious approach, Onur Güntürkün attained a non-disabled life.

A renowned scientist tells in his memoirs that he made a deal with his mother over buying a new microscope and that he washed the dishes and helped his mother at house works for two months for buying that microscope which was 36 DM. ın return, his mother gives him 36 DM to buy his own microscope. He still remembers his mother saying: “If you really want something, you need to put a lot of effort”.

The name of this successful Turkish science person is Prof.

Dr. Drs. Onur Güntürkün.

While he received the Knupp Science Award, the rectors, science people, the mayor, those who were given the award in previous years and of course his family were present during the ceremony. The interest of the press was extraordinary. During the ceremony where the Prime

Onur Güntürkün beat the difficulties with his love for science and enthusiasm for research. He never lost his will to live. he clung to life together with his family. his life was an example of creating hope from despair. He got married and maintained his love for science with his wife and two children.

The spring of Prof.Dr.Drs. Onur Güntürkün’s stamina was his mother Lady Sahavet, the one sitting in the front who shed tears of joy.

Bibliography:

Kemal Yalçın, Yaşama Gücü, Beyin Araştırmacısı Ord.Prof.Dr. Onur Güntürkün’ün Yaşam Öyküsü, İstanbul, Say Yayınları, 2013

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Audio Description

Kenan Ă–nalan

Undersecretary of Ministry of Family and Social Policies SEBEDER President

An Important Tool in Accessibility of the Disabled

>>

AUDIO DESCRIPTION In the 21st century, the level of development of a society can be interpreted by the value they give to humanity. The people with disabilities, who compose a major part of our society, were ostracized due to erroneous approaches for a long time, yet as of 2002 revolutionary regulations, many of them were firsts and pioneers, have been made. As a disabled, I should stress that maybe the disabled were for the first time taken that serious before the government.

With the enactment of law on people with disabilities in Turkey in 2005, studies on providing equal opportunities related to employment, education and health of these

individuals have gained momentum. This, no matter how you slice it, was a revolution of mentality before the state.

And eventually, the Ministry of Family and Social Policies was established in 2011 and since the establishment it has been an institution that internalizing the people with disabilities, owning their problems and involving them in solutions. The effect of this mentality constitute a major part of a transformation which extends from the highest ranks of the government to the citizens living in the remotest sides.

First of all, one requires to go out, travel from one place

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One of the major and primary problems of the disabled is the problem of access to information which has been prepared in formats unsuitable for them. All kinds of visual and written scientific, cultural or artistic works that are hard to access is already inaccessible for the disabled. For this reason, it is a right for the disabled to have access to all kinds of written media, visual materials like films and theatres. to another, access information, use the public spaces and services in order to take his/her place within the social life and to add color to this society. For a disabled person, to do all these safely and without the help of any other person maybe matters more than all other citizens. This, also has vital importance in terms of human rights.

What is Audio Description?

The disability issue is one that shelters many different fields of life from education to employment and accessibility to nursing services… One of the major and primary problems of the disabled is the problem of access to information which has been prepared in formats unsuitable for them. All kinds of visual and written scientific, cultural or artistic works that are hard to access is already inaccessible for the disabled.

For this reason, it is a right for the disabled to have access to all kinds of written media, visual materials like films and theatres.

As known, there are some professional techniques developed for the access of the visually and hearing

impaired people to visual and audio media. One of these techniques, audio description is a method narrating the content of many visual shows including television programs, films, dance shows, operas and other visual arts for the visually impaired individuals, which is exclusively designated for their use. It may be summarized as the verbal narration of visuality in films for the impaired by a third person.

Audio description for the visually impaired, subtitle regulations and sign language for the hearing impaired are the communication tools used for enabling and developing these disabled groups to access source of information and for removing the obstacles before their lives. When this communication fails, visually and hearing impaired people are almost alienated and they feel isolated. We, as a student movement, took the first step for the development of the same communication tools in Turkey at Boğaziçi University. With this process taking start with our studies at Boğaziçi University we established the Foundation of Audio Description which will introduce our country with audio description and which will compass all Turkey to help out

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Audio Description

“Ankara Accessible Film Festival”, which aims the participation of the disabled to culture and art life and drawing attention on their access to cinema art was held.

the disabled particularly including the visually impaired. ın the works we do at this foundation, we describe the visual parts at films for the impaired. So the visually impaired freely watch films. For the hearing impaired, we both provide written description and sign language translation.

Those who cannot see understand the visual parts with audio description, on the other hand, the hearing impaired understand the conversations and verbal expressions they cannot hear thanks to sign language and written descriptions.

When we first started the work on audio description, there was a mentality like “what happens the impaired sees a film?” The first obstacle was to battle this mentality. Like

many other people in Turkey, the visually impaired were not aware of such a solution. Within this process, we tried to prove to the visually impaired that such a solution really existed. With such films, we tried to prove everybody, whether disabled or not, that a visually impaired person may see a film comfortably without depending on anybody.

Within these three years since 2012, “Ankara Accessible Film Festival”, which aims the participation of the disabled to culture and art life and drawing attention on their access to cinema art, was held with the support of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies. The screenings during the festival were prepared with audio description for the visually impaired and with sign language translation and

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detailed subtitles for the hearing impaired thanks to an infrastructure that could be followed by the disabled. In 2015, with a new infrastructure, “Autism Friendly Screenings� was held toward the disabled people with autism. Within the festival, both the mentioned accessibility tools were introduced to be heard by the disabled and the disabled and non-disabled individuals were made to share a cultural and art activity together. Both the non-disabled and disabled individuals expressed their appreciation on this different experience. On behalf of all the disabled people, I wish this festival related to the disabled, which has been held for three years now, will continue for a long time.

As a result of our studies for the audio description to be recognized by our country, this concept was involved in the regulations for the first time in 2014. Under the guidance of the ministry of Family and Social policies and with the efforts of Foundation of Audio Description, the expression of audio description was included in the Law on the Disabled through the Law no.6158 which was approved in February 2014. With this article amended in the Law, Ministry of National Education and Ministry of Culture and Tourism were appointed responsible for conducting the required processes for providing braille, audio and electronic books; subtitled, sign language translated and audio description films and similar materials to meet educational, social and cultural needs of the disabled. with this provision, the procedures for regulating the manufacture of braille, audio and electronic books, subtitled and audio description films and similar materials for particularly the visually impaired, which they need in every stage of education system and culture and art programs, were aimed.

The problems in the field of disability can only be solved with the contributions and cooperation of the parties.

Within this frame, I believe that civil society should conduct some studies that will close the gap between the nondisabled and the disabled and contribute to social solidarity.

I think the NGOs should point the way to the government with new ideas.

Recently, with the rise of awareness toward the disabled people in our society, the sensibility toward them has risen as well. Thanks to this, we can observe that now there has been more works for their access to information, culture and art; the number of voluntaries at audio book reading and audio description projects increase. This interest is the product of a mentality change from the top to the bottom as I mentioned earlier. The meaning and value of this for the disabled is priceless. However, there is such a change in our social solidarity and unity that, I believe everybody (whether disabled or not) will see different reflections of this situation in his/her life. In this sense, to me, the added value created by the awareness toward the disabled cannot be only limited to the disabled. To increase the sensibility and awareness of the society toward the disabled will be provided by the studies led by common sense, by social solidarity and the acting of state, nation and scientific circles together. This approach is a contemporary approach which is at the same time the indicator of the value attributed to the disabled by the society.

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First International Family Films Festival

Çiğdem Oruç - Tülay Aydın Department of Training and Publication

FIRST INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILMS FESTIVAL >>

Famous German existentialist Heidegger argues art as being a starting point for thinking about reality. A work of art is the key to the reality of existence as it enables to consider the reality of existing. No matter what the subject is, art is at the crossroads of many happenings which most of the time will make one to face him/herself. Sometimes we get impressed by a touching tune, or a black-white frame or the hard-hitting flow of a film. Hundreds of stories that we miss in our ordinary lives, at traffic, at supermarkets, at shopping malls, in the rush of daily lives or within the day and even our own stories neglected become visible with a delicate touch of art. The latest form of art that joined this world, cinema, in other words the seventh art, has its magic here. It invites you to that specific “moment” not by just offering a visual but audio as well. There you are. Inside the one that is tragic, in the facial gestures, in the salty flow of tears.

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The festival was held from 10th to 24th of May which included almost all specific days and weeks coming to minds when the subject is family such as Mother’s Day, Disability Week, Family Week, International Day of Families and Youth and Sports Festival.

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First International Family Films Festival

The Ministry of Family and Social Policies has taken a step to tell us the great story of our great family with a cinematic language to examine the “family� concept thoroughly and create awareness and launched the International Family Films Festival. Besides films from Turkic Republics and Islamic world, with whom we share the same emotional and cultural world, a selection of Hollywood, Bollywood and Austrian films were screened in the festival. Theatre performances, interviews, painting and photograph exhibitions were also available during the festival.

Because as the family gets stronger, the individual who is a member of that family and eventually the society will become stronger. To enjoy the festival to the end, we chose the spring season when the whole nature refreshes itself and stirs thousands of feelings inside. Moreover, giving more consideration to the timing, the festival was held from 10th to 24th of May which included almost all specific days and weeks coming to minds when the subject is family such as Mother’s Day, Disability Week, Family Week, International Day of Families and Youth and Sports Festival.

There were two basic principles at the beginning. The First one was to protect the integrity of family and the second was to raise awareness and consciousness on the power of family. When the unity and integrity is strengthened by all the things that make a human like love, respect, courtesy and tolerance, then the main issue is to become a healthy family which is aware of its problems and their solutions.

Aiming to eliminate all obstacles in hearts, in tongues, in all segments of society and in all places, the Ministry of Family and Social Policies ensured the translation of a great majority of films to sign language and audio description and the arrangement of halls for the disabled participants.

Thus, the festival became one that was actively participated by the disabled.

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International Family Films Festival, which is expected to be held every year after a successful first episode, hosted many families with the motto “Come as a family”

The opening ceremony took place in CerModern Art Center with the arrival of Engin Çağlar, Yılmaz Güney’s spouse Fatoş Güney, Selahattin Taşdöğen, Başak Sayan, Ufuk Bayraktar and convoy of classical vehicles.

The hearts beat with the sorrow of a separation while carrying the happiness and excitement at the same time.

Because a doyen of Turkish cinema, Zeki Alasya, who has his influence on everyone no matter which generation we are from, had left us for eternity. Yet as emphasized by Minister of Family and Social Policies Ayşenur İslam at the opening speech: “We are losing the greatest names of Turkish art life one by one. This is the fate, a necessity of time. But they are immortal”. Indeed, while watching the “Güle Güle” (The Raindrop), the opening screening of the festival, we understood that with his voice, smile, mimics, attitudes and more importantly sui generis personality, Zeki Alasya would always protect his place at our hearts. We would always remember him with many different characters from different films.

Within the festival, trees were planted in the names of our artists who labored for the Turkish cinema and made their names never to be forgotten with their efforts, creativities and roles played. This small forest, which has a symbolic importance and which is expected to have 3 thousand trees soon, was named “Yeşilçam-lık”.

Another pleasant detail of the festival was that the mascots and symbols of the festival were prepared by the women prisoners.

It also included programs where the most distinguished personalities of Turkish cinema were hosted. One of these programs hosted Hülya Koçyiğit, one of the most influential actresses of Yeşilçam, at 75.Yıl Nursing Home. Stating that the festival is a good step to emphasize the family theme in Turkish cinema, Koçyiğit reinforced her already elegant impression during the program with her attitudes and behaviors.

Another activity within the festival was held with the participation of Engin Altan Düzyatan, a talented actor of Turkish Cinema, at Saray Center of Disabled Life, Nursing and Rehabilitation. Düzyatan came together with the children at Sevgi Evleri and then moved on to Center of Disabled Life having conversations with the disabled people and visiting the exhibitions.

As stressed by Minister Ayşenur İslam, International Family Films Festival, which is expected to be held every year after a successful first episode, hosted many families with the motto “Come as a family”. It left an influential mark on the hearts and memories of the participants.

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Melih Uslu

Ramadan is wholly different in

İstanbul

An enthusiastic atmosphere dominates the whole Istanbul when the long awaited dear guest “the Holy Ramadan” knocks at the door of the old city. Enjoying the abundance of Ramadan for centuries, Istanbul transforms into a vivacious city in this month of mercy.

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Ramadan is Whole Different in Ä°stanbul

Source: http://i2.wp.com/www.gurmeajanda.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ciraganpk_ramazan-menusu_tugra.jpg?resize=2359%2C1573

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Iftar tables set in every corner of the city welcomes thousands of people sometimes. Even more, Ramadan in Istanbul is like a grand festival.

Living Ramadan in Istanbul gives a totally different excitement to hearts with the existence of drummers waking people up for sahur, people waiting in front of the table for breaking your fast, the colorful ridges garnishing the minarets and spiritual atmosphere encircling the city.

An enthusiastic atmosphere dominates the whole Istanbul when the long awaited dear guest “the Holy Ramadan” knocks at the door of the old city. Enjoying the abundance of Ramadan for centuries, Istanbul transforms into a vivacious city in this month of mercy. The ridges hanged between the minarets, which gives the city a unique silhouette, symbolize the philosophy of Ramadan. Depicted by one of the leading figures of Turkish literature Halide Edip Adıvar as “heavenly light writings welcoming Ramadan”, ridges ornaments Istanbul like a sparkling necklace.

Tables of Abundance French traveler Gerard de Gerval praises the Ramadan tables in the Ottoman era in his works. Nerval narrates that he may visit almost all houses in the month Ramadan and eat comfortably at rich tables. This culture of solidarity, which made Ramadan more meaningful, is maintained in our day in essence. The meals cooked in houses in old neighborhoods of Istanbul are distributed to the neighbors and those in need. Iftar tables set in every corner of the city welcomes thousands of people sometimes. Even more, Ramadan in Istanbul is like a grand festival. The poems of Ramadan drummers sustain an old tradition from Ottoman era to our day. At sahur, everybody including the children sits around the table and mouths are sealed with a last glass of water. When the sun starts to set gradually, sweet smells of Ramadan pitas cover the streets, long queues are observed before the bakeshops. Prepared with the delicacy of an artist all day long, the meals are put in the tables just before the evening prayer. The neighbors, relatives and friends are the esteemed guests of these joyful tables. After the fasts are broken, the bread on the table is shared at the tables.

Although the food may differ depending on the season, some habits never leave us. With olives and dates, the salt

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Ramadan is Whole Different in İstanbul

and sugar lost within the date is compensated. Güllaç and tea are like the most beautiful finale of the iftar tables. Just after the meal, preparations for the teravih prayer start. This flow of life is like a training process for the children and the youth.

Ramadan Entertainments A city of mosques, İstanbul is vivid for 24 hours with activities lasting up to sahur time. Sultanahmet, Beyazıt, Üsküdar and Eyüp Squares and historical Feshane building become entertainment centers with traditional handicrafts, music recitals, poem performances and Hacivat ve Karagöz shadow plays. Book stands, concerts and several exhibitions that you may encounter in different parts of the city from Fatih to Golden Horn draw great attention. The cultural activities in the city are crowned with the existence of renowned calligraphists, hafiz and artists. Not from just cultural aspect, a lively atmosphere surrounds the city in

terms of shopping and taste as well. Restaurants prepare special tastes for sahur and iftar tables. The menus are enriched by several recipes from the Ottoman cuisine to old Istanbul specialties. The bazaars during Ramadan in Istanbul are much more different compared to other months. The alternative for historical bazaars and open markets is the modern shopping centers. These multi storey malls, which are cool even at the hottest days of the summer, offer you a wide range of varieties where you can reach every trademark you desire. Rumeli and Abdi İpekçi streets in Nişantaşı and Bağdat Street in the Anatolian side of the city wait for their customers till the late hours of the day with hundreds of boutique stores open.

Rediscovering the city Ramadan also offers you a chance to wander the world city İstanbul and visit the historical places of worship. Boğaziçi is

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very enjoyable during the summer months with its cooling weather and remarkable mansions. In the ferry journeys which travels all along Boğaziçi, you may see the most beautiful historical settlements like Ortaköy, Beylerbeyi, Çengelköy, Kandilli, Kanlıca, Paşabahçe and others…

Anatolian and Rumelian Fortresses stand on the green hills as if the guards of the Bosporus. You may get off the ferry at any port and walk around the wooden houses and listen to the screams of seagulls. To reach the spirit of the city, you need to make your way to the Historical Peninsula. Topkapı Palace and the “Holy Relics” section inside is a center of attraction not only for Muslims but for all human beings.

After visiting the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, you need to catch a fresh breathe in Gülhane Park. As called by himself being the “work of master stage”, Süleymaniye Mosque solemnly waits for its visitors. Grand Bazaar and the Spices Bazaar are among the rare places where you can

enjoy the taste of city with their labyrinth-like corridors.

These places are very abundant for iftar and sahur shopping as well. Maiden’s Tower is the haunt for those who would like to enjoy an extraordinary scenery. Another option for those wishing to freshen before iftar is the Islands. While moving from Büyükada to Heybeliada and Burgazada, one cannot track the time. For those who would like to enjoy the nature within the city, there are countless of places to visit: Hıdıv Park, Belgrad Forest, Kilyos, Şile coasts, Emirgan Park, Polonezköy and many others… In short, Istanbul is like a tremendous treasure chest which has always more to explore. This vast sea of culture transforms into a peaceful address with the reflection of love and tolerance. How happy is s/he who can benefit from this…

N İ D L E H O ŞG

N A Z A M A R İ Y A ŞE H R

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Ramadan and Sherbet Culture

Tolunay Sandıkcıoğlu

General Directorate of Family and Social Policies

Ramadanand Sherbet Culture Sherbet was once among the favorite beverages of time, consumed and loved by everybody ignoring the summer-winter time of the year. Consuming water less in quantity, if something had to be drunk in accompany of the meals in Ottoman tables, those were always hoşaf (fruit stew) or sherbet.

Cooled with ice or snow in hot months, sherbet became a favorite taste for the Ottoman tables within time. One of the rituals of Palace, offering sherbet was accepted in daily lives of the society soon. Among the servants of palace, sherbet holders appeared after a while. Precious sherbet sets of those times were exhibited at museums of ethnography and sherbet names recalling charming smells showed how important a place it has among beverages of those times. Such that, the apprentices were given sherbet coins, sherbets were distributes for the sake of God and the owner of a wedding was blamed if no sherbet was served during the ceremony.

The fellowship of Sherbet, Syrup, and Hoşaf To make a simple definition of these three fellows; sherbet is made by sweetening of some plant, fruit or flower essences or spices with honey or sugar, syrup is made by boiling this mixture to create an essence and hosaf is made by cooking these with sugary water and being served with essence.

Source: http://www.yemekte.biz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/gelincik-serbeti.jpeg

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In the second half of the 16th century, these beverages became so popular in Europe that as of the midst of 17th century, lemon flavored, rose flavored and violet flavored ready sherbet mixtures started to be exported to England.

Besides these sherbets which were prepared as hard candies and watered before consumption, cherry syrups called visney were exported to both France and England in the 18th century. In Italy, fruit ice cream were made from sherbet in the 17th century and it was named sorbetto, derived from the name sherbet. For this reason, fruit ice creams in Italy and France are still known with the name “sorbet”, originating from sorbetto.

Cool Tastes of Sherbet Land In fact, sherbet has such an old and rooted history on these lands that if I happen to mention şıra (grape juice) or honey sherbet of old history words will never be enough. Why I limit my article to Ottoman era is that I want to remind some sherbets forgotten.

For example, for Fatih the Conqueror, a specific sherbet was made from the mixture of crimson and black dried grapes and coconuts. Süleyman the Magnificient would send back his sherbet cup that Janissaries sent filling with gold coins whereas the rich would have musk ambrette added to their sherbets.

The service of sherbet was so popular in Ottoman era that a different sherbet was made for almost each single day. The most known surviving from those days to present is, I think,

But flower sherbets are those that inebriate me most with the names and tastes. No words against the taste of those delicate leaves, the beautiful color and even more the scent of them. You will miss a lot if you do not try in these hot summers days Ramadan is approaching.

Source: http://www.kizkismi.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ec1f3-erk_81731.jpg

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Ramadan and Sherbet Culture

şerbet-i viladet, in other words sherbet after the delivery.

The others are nawruz sherbet served in the spring, haji sherbet for those going to hajj, circumcision sherbet for the boys, bath sherbet, evil eye sherbet, pregnant sherbet, wedding sherbet and many others…

Of course there are some that are named after the essence they have been made of. The surviving example of these may be the famous licorice sherbet of the southern provinces...

Among those forgotten, we may list tamarind, medlar, clove, unripe grape, honeysuckle, jasmine, rose, camellia, cinnamon, bergamot orange, peach, mint, honey, fısfıs, karabas flower, lemon, cherry, berry, jujube, pomegranate, locust bean, strawberry…

A Ramadan without Sherbet?

In Ramadan, sherbets, hosafs and syrups are carefully made and protected; and served either warm or cold depending on their features. Highly consumed in Ottoman culture particularly in iftar tables, sherbets are almost forgotten today due to the expansion of beverage industry.

As in the whole Islamic world, Ottomans attached great importance to Ramadan as well. Preparations started weeks before, and in addition to ordinary supplies and requirements and within their abilities, people would buy jams, cheese, olives, sujuk, bacons, sugar for sherbets, baklava ingredients, hosaf ingredients, gullacs, soup materials, shelled walnuts, hazelnut kernels, pistachios for dolma, flours, spices, rose waters, beeswaxes and particularly Mecca dates. Breads for Ramadan, desserts including gullac at the first place, iftar snacks were prepared; besides all copper utensils were blanched and bed clothing were cleaned. Even more, some wealth figures had their floors renewed, bought elegant coffee sets, water glasses, precious spoons just to use during Ramadan. Local tradesmen also cleaned and tidied up their stores.

Of course it is impossible to give recipes of all sherbets that can be drunk in Ramadan, but some are really interesting.

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Highly consumed in Ottoman culture particularly in iftar tables, sherbets are almost forgotten today due to the expansion of beverage industry.

Subye, for example, is made from the seeds of melon, almonds, dried grape and rice. After the ingredients are pounded, water is added on it and this mixture is filtered.

Sugar and flower water is added to this new mixture.

Records say, crimson dried grape subye was made for Fatih the Conqueror. Also we know that there were some stores selling Egyptian style rice subye in the 17th century Istanbul.

As Evliya Çelebi quotes, this subye was sweetened with mi’ad candy and consumed by pouring cinnamon on it. Mahmud Nedim wrote that subye was drunk warm as well.

One of the forgotten tastes which drew my attention due to its name is tükenmez. Made from several fruits and named after its material, the most popular form of tükenmez was the one made with grape. Distributed free in certain times

during the Ottoman era, tükenmez was also sold by sherbet makers and müsellesçiler (grape syrup makers) on the streets. The name of the sherbet stemmed from its never running out as constantly water was added on the cube as it was distributed. As the water leaked to the bottom through the fruits and sugar, sherbet was created again.

Hardaliye still survives in Edirne. Made by the mixture of crimson or white grape water with pounded mustard seed, hardaliye is a beverage specific to Thrace Region. I hope we do not lose this taste, which is naturally fermented and has a cooling effect in hot summer days.

Another sherbet that arouses interest with its interesting name is sirkencübin. Prepared by adding honey to dispelled vinegar in the 18th century in Istanbul, this sherbet was consumed largely in summer. Sirkencübin, which you may easily prepare by adding water to equal amount of honey and vinegar, is one of the sherbets of Ottomans curing all.

But flower sherbets are those that inebriate me most with the names and tastes. No words against the taste of those delicate leaves, the beautiful color and even more the scent of them. You will miss a lot if you do not try in these hot summers days Ramadan is approaching. The recipe is also so simple: wash the violets, roses or poppies with cold water and remove the black parts in the middle with scissors.

Crumble them with granulated sugar and filter through a cheesecloth. Add water on your wish and consume at iftar tables. If you have chosen violets then your violet sherbet is ready to consume.

While reading this article penned in the past tense, you will realize that unfortunately all these are gone by. The screams of sherbet dealers wandering the streets were vanished.

Nowadays, we can neither drink an ice-cold rose sherbet when we go to somewhere, nor we can find the sherbet dealers on streets to say “give me a glass of lemon sherbet, let me enjoy a good one”. Wishing you to always remember inherited tastes from the past and enjoying Ramadan by consuming sherbets all the time.

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Social Aids

Directorate General of Social Assistance

Necessity of Being a Social State:

Social Aids

>> General Approach

Since 2002, “social aids” have been used as an important tool of the social policy to provide social justice and stability by protecting the needy and the poor segments of society.

With the establishment of Ministry of Family and Social Policies in 2001, social aids from different institutions were gathered under a single roof. In this way, 85% of the public social aids was started to be conducted by the Ministry and an institutional collaboration was provided.

By the year of 2014, 3 million houses were provided with regular and periodical aids by our ministry and there were no needy sections which have not been achieved. In 2014, 645 TL social aid were provided per house on a monthly average and now it is estimated that this average amount will increase to 725 TL until the end of 2015. Since the year of 2002, the below have been conducted with social aid practices; •

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Absolute poverty was brought to an end in our country.

In 2002, while 30.3% people were living with money less daily 4.3 USD spending level, in 2013 this rate was reduced to 2.06%.

We ranked the 9th among the countries closing the human development deficit steadily and reached the high human development level from midlevel in Human Development Index.

Increasing social aid costs 18 times higher, more were provided for the poor and the needy. Within this framework 140 billion TL financial support has been provided since 2002. In 2002, while the rate of social

aids to Gross Domestic Product was 0,5%, this rate was increased to 1.31 % in 2014.

•

By developing thematic and regular aid programmes, more needy, poor and disadvantaged people (disabled people, women, and the aged) have been widely reached. By extending the scope of social aids, peoples who have seasonal poverty risks despite having social insurances, survivors of disaster and emergency cases, relatives of martyrs and veterans are made to take advantage of social aids.

•

With general health insurance practice, we started to pay poor citizens’ premiums and provided free and high quality healthcare.

•

With low-cost housing and sheltering aids, 50 thousand citizen became homeowners and they were provided with humanitarian sheltering opportunities. 100 thousand low-cost housing will be made until the end of 2023 for the poor.

•

With the effective use of information technologies, the access to social aids have been declined from 15-20 days to few minutes.

•

With the motto “Left hand not know, what right hand renders”, “social aid cards” were distributed to 1.8 million citizens, “paying at home” was put into practice and “aiding queues and confluxes” were eliminated.

•

92% of social aids were started to be paid cash.

•

y connecting social aid with employment, social aid B beneficiaries are directed to Turkish Labor Agency (İŞKUR) and 53 thousand citizens have been employed and employment incentive aid practices were generalized.

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Absolute poverty was brought to an end in our country. In 2002, while 30.3% people were living with money less daily 4.3 USD spending level, in 2013 this rate was reduced to 2.06%.

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Social Aids

Conditional Cash Transfer (ŞNT)

Cash payment has been made since 2003 on condition that children are taken to check-up regularly and continue their education.

Fuel Aids

Since 2003, coal aid has been made to aidless houses in association with Turkish Coal Enterprise. (TKİ). The aids are delivered to the houses of people.

2 million 159 thousand households

Home Care Payment

Since 2007, a payment is made in the amount of net minimum wage to the relative of the patient who has severe disability.

450 thousand households

Free Textbook

Since 2003, textbooks have been given free of charge to the students.

The Lunch Schedule of Mobile Education

Since 2003, lunch expenses of students who benefit from mobile education are paid.

672 thousand students

Free Transportation of Disabled Students

Since 2005, transportation of disabled citizens to their private educational institutions has been provided.

61 thousand students

Fiscal Aid Programme for Widows

Since 2012, monthly 250 TL is paid to widow women who do not have any social insurances.

301 thousand people

Aid Programme for the Needy Soldier Families

Since 2013, monthly cash payment is made to soldier families who are in need,(if he is married payment is made to his wife or if he is single payment is made to his mother)

126 thousand people

Social Housing Programme

Since 2010, as part of social housing programme, the needy families have been made to have houses with monthly 100 TL payments.

25 thousand house

General Health Insurance

In 2012, “Green Card” application was put an end, and “General Health Insurance” application was started. The health premiums of the needy person are paid by the government.

9,3 million people

Employment Aids

Since 2014, “recruitment” and “guidance to work” aids have been provided to encourage the employment of people receiving social aid.

53 thousand people

Income-Generating Projects

Since 2003, interest free loan (in the amount of 15.000 TL; interest-free and paid back in 8 years) has been given to aidless citizens for make their living.

26 thousand people

Conditional Cash Transfer High School Incentive Aid

A one-time aid made in the amount of 60 Euros (monetary equivalent is TL) for highschool students benefiting from conditional cash transfer.

229 thousand students

2022 Aid for the Aged and the Disabled

Regular payment has been made to the needy people who are older than 65 and those with more than 40% disability (with official reports)

1.3 million people

1. Conducted Aid Programs We run 30 different social aid programs under 7 main topics.

These are; family, education, health, the aged and the disabled, employment, project and special purpose aids. At this point, it is needed to give brief information about main programs and its beneficiary numbers.

2. Aid Programs Started in 2015 “Birth Aid” program; 300 TL for the first child, 400 TL for the second child and 600 TL for three or more children.

Applications for this program, for all mothers, is now open.

The First payment will be made in July.

3 million people

17 million students

Applications are open for this regular aid program which includes 100 TL payment monthly for the needy, orphan and children of the military personnel. First payments will be made in early June.

3. Explanation about the Aids for the Disabled In the recent period, in order to misdirect the society, the media has intentionally given a great place to the news related to cut or possible cut of the aid for the disabled in accordance with the law no 2022.

In accordance with the Law no. 2022, disabled citizens who are in need are put on salary. While 262 thousand disabled

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citizens took advantage of this aid program in 2002, this number increased to approximately 680 thousand in 2014. As it can be seen, the number of those receiving the salary for the disabled doubled in the mentioned period. Furthermore, no amendments have been made in the legislation on reducing the salaries. So, within the framework of Law no. 2022, putting disabled citizens who are proven to be in need will continue to receive their salaries in proportion to the disability levels; and the same conditions will apply to those who will be proven to be in need as well.

Social Aid and Poverty Figures in comparison to 2002 Since 2002, in our country:

•

Thematic aid programs (ŞNT, widows, Needy Relatives of Soldiers, Home Care payment etc.) have come into effect.

•

In poverty rates, we gained great success admired enviously by the world.

•

Fair and just aid mentality has been approved.

•

The Amount of financial aids has been increased

•

A record high increase has been reached in social aid amounts.

The comparisons related to the mentioned period is summarized at the below table:

Total Social Aid Expense (public) The share of Social Aids in gross domestic product

2002

2014

Variation (%)

1,3 billion TL

23 billon TL

1670%

0,5

1,31

162%

The number of households benefiting from Social Aids The number of households benefiting from Regular Aids

3.005.898 991.000

2.274.182.

130%

The Proportion of the Source transferred to Regular Aids to the Total Aids (%)

28%

78%

178%

The percentage of financial aid in total aids

30%

92%

207%

The number of people whose General Health Insurance Premiums are paid by the government

9,3 million

Proportion of Women Social Aid Right Holders to All Social Aid Right Owners (%)

%61

Proportion of Women Social Aid Right Holders to All Regular Social Aids Right Holders

%75

Poverty Rate (%)

30,3

2,06

-93%

Old Age Pensions (age of 65) (2022)

24 TL

145TL

504%

Disability Salary (2022)

24TL

291-437 TL

Other regular aid amounts

0 TL

250 TL

112 % - 1721 %

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Deep Destruction of Loneliness and Lack of Communication

Nevzat Özer

Deputy Director of Family and Social Policies in Antalya Province Psychological Counselor

deep destruction of lonelinessandlack of communication

“

>>

No matter in which form you call it, loneliness in the 21st century has become a social and psychological case deeply affecting the humanity. Transcendent God has not sent any creature on its own (lonely) in this mysterious universe He created. No matter which way you look, humans, animals, plants all have pairs, each were created with peers.

”

In researches conducted on more than thirty seven thousand people over more than twenty years, it has been found out that social isolation or loneliness has left indelible effects on human beings. The sense on failing to find anybody to share private feelings and or to be in close contact with doubles the possibility of being patient or death.

lives that may give them emotional support, are twice more likely to cling to life than those who have no such support.

Of course people may become lonely and this is even necessary sometimes. However, what matters and what is medically important here is one’s feeling isolated from the humanity and feeling as if s/he has nobody.

It is visible to what extent these people, who we see, talk and greet every day are important to us. The relationships in our lives are also important for our health. Especially thinking about the century we are in. Our health conditions incline to be better if we have more meaningful and affirmative relations in our lives.

Researches have proved that among the aged who have survived heart attacks, who have two or more people in their

The challenges and impacts of life are less vulnerable for those who have somebody to talk to, somebody that may console her/him, help or make some suggestions, share a problem, dilemma or stalemate.

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According to Erich Fromm, “the greatest requirement of human being is to overcome loneliness, to get rid of that cage. In the event of a complete failure while trying to reach this purpose can drive someone totally crazy�.

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Deep Destruction of Loneliness and Lack of Communication

When the first inner-city transportation started at the beginning of the 20th century in Germany and middle and lower class people found the chance to travel the city from one end to another, German Sociologist George Simmel made his terrifying diagnosis: “For the first time in the history of humanity, despite sitting that close to each other and touching themselves with their bodies, two people make a journey without talking to each other for hours.”

Another tragic example of this situation is what a 70-yearold Istanbulite gentleman experienced in Paris, France. He mentions a day laborer lady coming to his house for 30 years. Then, like something very ordinary, he tells: “You know what, I have never met her. Because I go to work at 7.30 a.m. and she arrives at 8.30 a.m.” Unbelievable it may seem,

If you want to embrace people in your life, you need to face the risk by extending your hand. You need to relearn how to trust, love and believe. Many people suffer from loneliness as no one touches them.

If I can touch you and you can touch me in return, we exist.

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but due to that one hour difference, they have shared the same house without meeting each other for 30 years. Just one hour after he leaves, that lady steps into his private life, touches his most special belongings, irons his underwear and leaves upon finishing her tasks. Never having met a person who he has shared that much is like a wild story of loneliness to me.

The humanity is living at the peak of lack of communication which was pointed by Simmel at the beginning of the century. And what is worse in a time which we called “communication era”…

Did you know that people who do not want to die alone in Los Angeles hire people to accompany them during their last moments in this life for 40 USD per hour? Just look over your whole life if you do not have anybody with you to hold your hand when you approach death…

If you want to embrace people in your life, you need to face the risk by extending your hand. You need to relearn how to trust, love and believe. Many people suffer from loneliness as no one touches them. If I can touch you and you can touch me in return, we exist.

According to Erich Fromm, “the greatest requirement of human being is to overcome loneliness, to get rid of that cage. In the event of a complete failure while trying to reach this purpose can drive someone totally crazy”.

I get surprised when I look my body. I look to my arms, hands, thinking that those are specifically created to hold a hand and hug another body. I look to my ear and tongue, thinking that they are created to listen to, understand, communicate with and speak to people; I look to my eyes in an astonishment, thinking that they are specifically designed to see all kinds of beauties in our lives.

I fiercely defend that these organs or limbs should be used correctly. People who lose these organs or limbs due to some medical conditions or as a result of an accident, I think, are

those who best know and understand their importance.

Man should not deprive himself of anything. He should question his life and condition… His past, present and future…

Those we gulped down and those got stuck with The negative happenings we faced, suppressed emotions, moments that we could not talk or we were treated unjust…

One day comes, these reveal themselves as physical diseases. Those we gulped down grow and grow gradually and worse and causes greater damages in the future affecting our brains, hearts, stomach at first and then our psychology, humanity and many other things…

What is gulping down?

-laughing helplessly in a situation when we are expected to scowl -something that those who cannot express their feelings and who cannot pour out their heart freely do unavoidably -the weariness or giving up of a person who cannot be understood despite several attempts. The result created by those who force that person to further attempt.

Instead of gulping down and burning from inside or getting stuck with it, we can try to put it down. Instead of feeling helpless trying to gulp down, we can throw things out not to poison ourselves. chasing instead of running, turning your face instead of turning your back, giving instead of taking, going instead of waiting, loving instead of being loved, discharging yourself instead of being charged up, making someone happy instead of upsetting, facilitating instead of making things harder, being optimist instead of being pessimist, hugging instead of shaking hands, understanding first instead of waiting to be understood, talking instead of being silent...

Do you think we can do?

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Let’s not Waste our Bread!

R. Kayhan Ünal

Deputy Director General of TMO

let’s not waste

Bridges, schools or highways can be built with the wasted breads

our bread Bread, which is enshrined by our society and held in high esteem on our diner tables, is the most wasted food product in our country, although it expresses elbow Grease, sharing and abundance.

Hundreds of schools can be built in our country with the amount of bread wasted in a year.

>>

Although there have been many projects and programs implemented at both at national and international levels, famine, malnutrition and unbalanced income distribution are the most challenging problems of our world with its population exceeding 7 billion. According to the UN World Food and Agriculture Organization, 2 billion people can’t take enough vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy life, and 805 million people corresponding 11.32 % of the population are undernourished and starving. For these reasons, approximately 10 million people, most of them being children, lose their lives every year.

The first practice of Hızır Bey Çelebi, who was appointed as the mayor of Istanbul City by Fatih sultan Mehmet just after the conquest of Istanbul, was to make sure that the bread making crafts were meticulous with hygiene, and the dough

was not manipulated at all, and nobody complained about the bread produced.

The state guarantee for the bread of people, which was assured with the “Kanunname-i İhtisabı Bursa” (Bursa Public Order Code) decreed by Sultan Bayezid II in 1502, was to be applied all over the whole Ottoman country. The Bread Ordinance issued in the era of Mehmed IV says: “When the bread, roll and muffin are inspected, there should be neither bad cooking nor black stain nor sourness nor deficiency in amount. Otherwise, Kadi should fine one coin per one dirham. Their sieves should be thin, their breads should not be full of dandruff, and otherwise they should be punished severely. Their guilds should be separated from that of bagel sellers, and the roll should be equal to half bread... Bread makers should always be in harness.” Thus they provided the

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production of bread in hygienic circumstances and with the right weight.

17, 2013, with the aim of urging social sensitivity towards

In spite of that, 1.3 billion tons of food worth of 1 trillion US Dollar, is wasted around the globe. This amount is equal to the one third of the total food production of approximately 4 billion tons. In fact, the need of people starving to death can be met with just 25% of this wasted food. Indeed, according to FAO, in order to feed the 9.3 billion people in the year 2050, food production should be increased 60%.

Even if the agricultural production is increased at that level, 300 million people will be starving if the obstacles to food access are not removed.

and popularizing the consumption of whole meal bread

On the other hand, due to excessive consumption, unconscious and unbalanced nutrition, 1.4 billion people over the world have a weight problem and approximately 600 million people struggle with obesity.

Bread, which is enshrined by our society and held in high esteem on our diner tables, is the most wasted food products in our country, although it expresses elbow Grease, sharing and abundance. The fact that we, as the country, are in an advantageous situation in food production and food access, does not give us credit for wasting food resources we have. Therefore, in the present time, it is of crucial importance to prevent food waste and loss, to conserve agricultural lands and to increase productivity.

Agricultural Products Office (TMO) has had a series of researches made and found out the bread production and consumption, consumption habits, dimensions of bread wasting and was and how it is wasted.

preventing bread waste and waste-based economic losses which is healthier.

Campaign activities have been carried out in accordance with the Prime Ministry Circular numbered 2013/3 and the decision of the Higher Planning Council dated February 16, 2015. So far, 793 activities have been organized in cooperation with 752 different institutions and corporations.

Following the activities held in our country and the gains closely, the FAO held up the “Bread Waste Prevention Campaign” as an “Exemplary Practice” contributing to the global works on waste.

It is important that the countries and international organizations carrying out works on decreasing food waste on a global scale should be acting in mutual cooperation and share their information and experiences. Information sharing shall play an effective role both in enhancing the present practices and getting the desired result.

With these intentions, TMO has been carrying out some works on international level within the scope of the Campaign, and sharing its experiences. It also examines the practices in other countries and develops its experiences. In this context, it participated in the FAO meetings in Rome, Budapest and Bucharest.

According to a research made in 2012, it was found out that 2.17 billion breads were wasted annually due to negligence and ignorance, and the fiscal equivalent of these wasted breads were 1.6 billion TL.

Moreover, it released information, within the scope of the

For this reason, our President Mr. Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN launched the “Bread Waste Prevention Campaign” in January

held in our country and in the different meetings of G20

Campaign, in 38. Governors Council Meeting of International Agricultural Development Fund in Rome, and in D-8 5. Food Security Meeting of the Agricultural Ministers which was Platform.

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Let’s not Waste our Bread!

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Mehmet Hanay Nature Photographer

family life of birds

We, human beings, think that we are the only ones who experience most of the feelings we experience. Yet this is not exactly true, and it is possible to see the most natural and intact forms of some of our feelings in the nature itself.

TaĹ&#x;çeviren

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Family Life in Birds

>> We, human beings, think that we are the only ones who

experience most of the feelings we experience. Yet this is not exactly true, and it is possible to see the most natural and intact forms of some of our feelings. Unfortunately, in our present social life, the interest shown against the natural products is not shown against the natural feelings and thoughts and hence we are going hastily towards a world in which only the consumed is natural but the consumer is not. Well, is it really possible to observe our feelings in the nature? Each and every living being has a purpose and a responsibility throughout its lifespan. But only one of these beings in the world is able to deny and ignore its purpose and responsibility. This species is not anyone else than the human being. This purpose and responsibility operates perfectly in the nature. Of course, if man does not interfere in the balance... Now we will look at the birds to see the understanding of responsibility in the nature.

In our country, in this very season, in the months connecting the spring to the summer, there is a liveliness in the nature.

The reason of this liveliness is the haste for reproduction. In this period, we can come across many birds going around with a hunt or food in their beaks. All of these birds are striving to feed their nestling.

And yet this stage is a very further stage in the natural order. In order to be able to observe the whole process, it is necessary to observe the order from the very beginning until the period of breeding the nestling. For this reason, lets start from the scratch to narrate this magnificent natural event which re-occurs every year.

Most of the bird species seen in our country are migratory birds. This means that they stay in our country in a specified period of the year. Our birds migrating to our country just for reproduction complete this migration from the beginning of April to the middle of May. After relieving tiredness of the migration, they enter to the stage of finding a spouse which is the first stage to form a nest. At this stage, some species go through moulting and assume a pompous look. This is

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For the birds, their nest and nestling are of crucial importance. They struggle to defend their nest and nestling as much as they can. In this period, they are very aggressive against the beings posing any danger for the nest. Yet, in the nature, reason is the more apparent phenomenon than the feelings. If the parents realize that they are incapable of defending the nest, they can abandon it. the attention given to convince the female bird. In nature, especially among the birds, the whole burden, during spouse selection, is on the shoulders of the male bird. Male birds struggle to show their abilities to the females. Some of them struggle to convince the females with their singing, some with their hunting abilities, and some with their skills.

The female chooses the most talented spouse according to the interest shown for herself. The female is the chooser and she makes no effort to sell herself. The reproductive ability is the most important ability in nature and the males should deserve the female. For this reason, they do their best and struggle to sell themselves to the female.

After the spouse selection, birds start to make a nest. In this period, the female bird builds the nest in general, while the male is responsible for providing the necessary material.

After finishing the nest construction, there comes the period of copulation and ovulation. In this period, birds determine the number of nestling according to the surrounding food condition. When there is enough food to feed their nestling, the number of eggs increases.

During the incubation period, males and females of some species undertake this duty in turns. As soon as the nestling break out of the egg, the haste to feed them starts. This period is the most restless period of the birds. In general, parents undertake this duty together. In birds of prey, the father who is more talented in hunting is responsible for most part of food supply duty. The mother feeds their baby birds with the food or hunt provided by the father.

BĂźlbĂźl

For the birds, their nest and nestling are of crucial importance. They struggle to defend their nest and nestling as much as they can. In this period, they are very aggressive against the beings posing any danger for the nest. Yet, in the nature, reason is the more apparent phenomenon than the feelings. If the parents realize that they are incapable of defending the nest, they can abandon it. The reason underlying this action is so clear, since birds focus only on the preservation of the generation. What is important than

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Family Life in Birds

Küçük Balaban

their own lives is the concept of the continuation of their generation. There is a simple calculation: If the parents confront a vital risk, then tens of nestling may not come into the world. In this case, the sacrifice is not for the sake of their own lives, but in the name of the next generation. Their responsibility is not towards only their nestling born in this period but also towards the aggregate of their nestling they can bring to the world in all seasons. What seems to us as a cruel and merciless situation is a sine qua non for nature’s existence.

As the development of the nestling comes to its last stage, parents begin to educate them in order to make them accustomed to life and learn how to stand on their own legs.

Of course, for the babies who are well-off in the nest, this shall not be attractive at all. The method used by the parents to encourage them is so simple: If you are hungry, then come and take it! In this point, birds restrain their mercy, where humans feed their children. Since they know well

that the mercy they show today shall affect their nestling negatively in the future. Since the parents cannot stay beside their nestling along all their lives, the nestling should learn to struggle with the hard living conditions. For a few days more, the parents feed and accompany their nestling whom they draw out of the nest gradually. However, after a short training out of the nest, the nestling have to fly with their own wings and maintain their lives. Every season, birds struggle to pull their weight of this reproduction and preservation of the generation. Thanks to their efforts, we can hear their chirps in the nature.

The perfect system in the running of the nature is interrupted only with the touch of man. Unfortunately, man has a hand in almost every endangered species. Let’s not put extra burden on the hard lives of the living beings who act with this holy feeling of responsibility. Let’s hope man use his feeling of mercy to ease their life, otherwise not stand on their way...

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Family and Social Policy

Department of Training and Publication eydb.aile.gov.tr

Directorate General of Social Assistance

Directorate General of Family and Community Services

Directorate General of Services for Children

Directorate General of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly

www.aile.gov.tr

Directorate General on the Status of Women

Department of Veterans and Relatives of Martyrs