YTB Diaspora 2.0 Meeting Held in London, the Capital of the UK

The “YTB Diaspora 2.0 Meeting” event, organized by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) in London, the capital of the UK, was attended by Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, YTB President Abdulhadi Turus, President of the Board of Trustees of the İlim Yayma Foundation Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, AK Party Deputy Chairman and Head of Foreign Affairs Zafer Sırakaya, AK Party MKYK Member and former national football player Mesut Özil, along with numerous invited guests.

Speaking at the program, Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin stated that as Türkiye grows stronger, the diaspora also gains strength. Sharing examples from letters written in 2002 for the centenary of the Republic, Tekin noted that significant progress has been achieved in the educational infrastructure.

​Expressing that the number of classrooms, which was approximately 350,000 in 2002, has reached 750,000 today, Tekin conveyed that many schools built before 2002 were reconstructed or reinforced due to earthquake risks. He noted that only 160,000 of the current classrooms belong to the pre-2002 period.

​Stating that the success rate in education has increased according to international exam results, Tekin indicated that citizens have higher expectations regarding education. He said that they are focusing on efforts to ensure that social, national, and spiritual values are more prominently included in educational processes.

​Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, President of the Board of Trustees of the İlim Yayma Foundation, stated that the Turkish diaspora has reached a strong position in different regions of the world, which also contributes to Türkiye. Erdoğan said, “As Türkiye grows stronger, the diaspora does; and as the diaspora grows stronger, Türkiye does.”

​Erdoğan remarked that Western culture has been marketing its own values to the world for many years, and that Türkiye needs to promote its cultural heritage more effectively. Citing India’s promotion of yoga on a global scale as an example, Erdoğan drew attention to the importance of Türkiye presenting its own cultural values correctly.

​Touching upon Türkiye’s advantages in tourism, service quality, and transportation infrastructure, Erdoğan stated that making cultural elements more visible would also strengthen the position of the diaspora in their host countries.

​YTB President Abdulhadi Turus stated that they concluded their London programs with the “Diaspora 2.0” meeting. Expressing that they came together with representatives of the British Turkish community operating in different fields from education to the business world, and from sports to politics, Turus said that they listened to diaspora success stories and evaluated future collaborations.

​Turus noted that the knowledge and vision possessed by the Turkish community strengthen the bonds between Türkiye and the United Kingdom. He added that, as YTB, they aim to support these achievements and increase cooperation among pioneering figures in various fields.

​AK Party MKYK Member and former national football player Mesut Özil shared that he was subjected to discrimination during the early stages of his career. Stating that despite being one of the best players in the tryouts of big clubs, he was not preferred, Özil noted that he nevertheless never gave up the fight.

​Expressing that he was mentally strong when he turned professional at the age of 16, Özil said that he faced various struggles both on and off the pitch throughout his football career. Özil also mentioned that he faced intense criticism after the photograph he took with the President in 2018.

​Zafer Sırakaya, AK Party Deputy Chairman and Head of Foreign Affairs, touched upon the concept of “Diaspora 2.0” and stated that the first Turkish immigrants to Europe set off with the dream of returning back home. Noting that the first generation has now reached a position where they are productive and contributing to their host countries, Sırakaya expressed that the Turkish diaspora has become more visible in every aspect of life in Europe.