Yunus Emre InstituteSomali Diaspora in Turkey Summit takes place online and across the world!
The Somali Diaspora Summit in Turkey took place online on Saturday, 14 August 2021 to discuss the experiences of the many Somalis residing in Turkey. The summit organized jointly with Yunus Emre Institute and Global Somali Diaspora (GSD), explored the education and business opportunities, social integration, civil participation as well as the challenges both individuals and nations face and innovative solutions and collaborative actions that can alleviate them. The summit coincided with the 10th anniversary of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Somalia. Although the summit was held online the friendship and cooperation was felt no less.
The event was attended by Turkish and Somalian ambassadors, key figures of the Global Somali Diaspora, Somalis from different professions supporting the diaspora, heads of civil society organizations and artists. The participants of the summit included, among others, H.E. Ambassador Dr Mehmet Yılmaz, Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, H.E. Ambassador Jama Mohamed, Somali Ambassador to Turkey, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London Director Dr Mehmet Karakuş, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – Warsaw Director Fahri Akdoğan and Yunus Emre Enstitüsü- Mogadishu Director Sinan Doruk.
The summit was divided into four interrelated themes: “Education”, “Business and Investment”, “Social and Culture” and “Role of Civil Society”. Under each theme, important issues were addressed by the participants. For instance, focusing on education, H.E. Ambassador Dr Mehmet Yılmaz made clear that participation in education has been one of the key pillars of Turkey-Somalia cooperation over the last ten years. He outlined the key opportunities available in both Turkey and Somalia that have proven effective and their positive impacts, for example noting that more than 5000 students have benefited from the scholarship system provided by the Turkish Government.
Discussing business and investments, H.E. Ambassador Jama Mohamed especially focused on the need to open Somalia to the world through cooperation and trade, especially with Turkey.
Meanwhile, Director Fahri Akdoğan touched on the work of Yunus Emre Institute that stretched beyond teaching Turkish around the world to encourage cultural exchange and cooperation, and Director Sinan Doruk discussed the work the Institute was carrying out in Somalia which strengthened the ties between the nations.
The summit also featured a short concert by talented Somali musician Abdi Badil and a motivational speech by Omar Deria, which contributed to the collaborative and hopeful atmosphere of the event.
Throughout the summit, the friendship and support, as well as the solution-orientated approach the members of the panels brought, were felt thoroughly.
To watch the summit, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whAYQMmd0XE