Youth Association of Ankara Social Sciences University

These projects were implemented as comprehensive initiatives aimed at contributing to the social, cultural, academic, and personal development of young people, while also promoting the preservation of social values, the safeguarding of cultural heritage, and raising awareness among youth. Through these projects, it was intended both to pass on important elements of traditional Turkish culture to younger generations and to create awareness regarding the social issues affecting today’s youth. The first project, “University Youth Meet Traditional Archery,” aimed to popularize traditional Turkish archery, one of the deep-rooted sports of Turkish culture, among university students. The project sought not only to encourage young people to participate in sports activities but also to improve their discipline, solidarity, and communication skills. Within this framework, students received both theoretical and practical training under the guidance of professional instructors. In addition, an archery tournament organized at the historical Okmeydanı in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, enabled students to experience the traditional archery culture firsthand. One of the most significant outcomes of the project was the establishment of an “Archery Training Hall” within the university, providing a sustainable infrastructure where students could continue their training activities. The project titled “Choose Life, Not Addiction” was designed to raise awareness about substance addiction and technology addiction, both of which have been increasingly affecting young people. Within the scope of the project, students attended educational seminars conducted by expert academics and trainers specializing in addiction awareness and prevention. Furthermore, the social and psychological impacts of various forms of addiction on both individuals and society were comprehensively discussed. Through field visits organized in Ankara and Mardin, students had the opportunity to observe the activities carried out by Green Crescent (Yeşilay) branches and gained direct knowledge about addiction prevention and rehabilitation processes. In addition, the cultural trip organized within the project enabled students to become familiar with the cultural heritage of different cities and to strengthen their social interactions. The project “In Memory of Ziya Gökalp on the 100th Anniversary of His Death – Symposium on Culture and Civilization from Past to Present” was organized to academically re-evaluate the ideas of Ziya Gökalp, one of the most influential figures in Turkish intellectual and social sciences history. During the symposium, topics such as culture, civilization, society, national identity, and modernization were discussed by distinguished scholars and academics, creating an important academic learning environment for university students. The project was carried out through the cooperation of various universities and institutions, contributing to the strengthening of cultural and academic interaction. At the end of the symposium, the presented papers were compiled into an academic publication, ensuring the sustainability and permanence of the project outcomes. The project “The Last Fortress Family: 7 Regions, 7 Cities, 7 Families – Preservation of Family Values and Social Awareness” aimed to raise awareness regarding the institution of family by bringing university students together with families who continue to preserve traditional family structures in different regions of Türkiye. Within the scope of the project, students directly interacted with volunteer families living in different cities, allowing them to experience and better understand the cultural, social, and moral dimensions of the Turkish family structure. In addition, educational seminars on topics such as “Family Values,” “Intra-Family Communication,” “Transmission of Cultural Values,” “Traditional Values and Modern Life,” and “Ways to Strengthen Family Bonds” were organized to enhance students’ awareness of family values and social responsibility. At the conclusion of the project, a book containing the students’ experiences and observations was published, contributing to the preservation of cultural memory. Overall, these projects became multidimensional initiatives that strengthened young people’s awareness of cultural identity, enhanced their sense of social responsibility, supported their academic and social development, and promoted the transmission of traditional values to future generations. Ranging from sports activities to academic symposiums, and from social awareness trainings to cultural interaction programs, these projects made significant contributions both to the personal development of young people and to the strengthening of social solidarity and cultural continuity.