Reflection dominates this time of year. As the days on the calendar countdown to a New Year, we all seem to find ourselves looking back at the past year and thinking about the one ahead asking such questions as: What have we achieved? Where do we want to go? As our world moves faster than…
By: Melis Figanmese Appalling is the only word. What else can you say about a country, whose economy is reporting record-breaking highs, has been ranked last in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index report in its region. Not only is Turkey ranked last in Europe and Central Asia, in terms of Gender Equality, it…
Meet-n-Eat with Education Reform Initiative Wednesday, October 31 12:00 – 2:00 PM TPF Office 216 East 45th Street, Floor 7 In April 2012 Turkish Grand National Assembly passed an education reform bill, famously known as 4+4+4. Immediately after, ERG called upon all parliament members to revoke the bill, and became a leading source in…
Happy UN Day! We at TPF definitely know there is a lot about the United Nations to celebrate. That is, because yesterday, TPF hosted a Twitter chat on the one-year anniversary from Van. For the past year, we’ve been working with terrific organizations such as Anne Cocuk Egitim Vakfi, Arama Kurtarma Dernegi, Hisar Anadolu Destek…
Natural disasters do not only destroy buildings, roads and infrastructure, they upend human life; forcing many to suffer post-traumatic stress. That is what happened in Van last October. Our partners are making enormous strides in helping not only the physical well-being of the victims of the 2011 earthquake, but also the emotional. During the month…
A few weeks ago Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) of which I am a Board Member asked me to attend the Türk Kızılayı award ceremony and iftar dinner on their behalf. I was thrilled to be asked and honored to represent my Foundation. Through the good and honorable efforts of TPF’s hard working staff primarily for…
By: Melis Figanmese The 2012 Olympics were quite an event for women. As we at TPF fight for gender equality in all parts of the world, and especially in Turkey, we look for tools on how to educate young women and keep them focused on academics. It is a proven fact that all students, regardless…
By Elmira Bayrasli Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that Mehmet Ali Sanlıkol fell in love with music in Bursa. Bursting with greenery and majestic hills, the western Turkish city that was once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, is a setting that inspires. That is exactly what the musicologist and professor does when he sits…
By Elmira Bayrasli This is part of a TPF series on social entrepreneurs, in collaboration with Ashoka Turkiye. Booming is the adjective most often used to describe Turkey these days. Ranked the 16th largest economy (and growing) in the world, the country saddled between Europe and the Middle East is looked as a sound investment…
We can’t stop at TPF. At the end of January we rolled out a campaign focused on Empowering Turkish Girls. Wow, were we pleased to see how many of you wanted to help us educate, uplift, inspire and encourage young Turkish women to believe in and fulfill their potential. Over 2,700 people participated in our…