LOCALINTERNational 2023 Completed

Organized by the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT) since 2012, this year 21 students from 18 countries participated in the program. The LOCALINTERNational Training Program, which is organized for university students in order to promote the local government experience in Türkiye on the international platform, develop local diplomacy and provide opportunities for future cooperation, was held in Ankara, Konya, Sakarya and Istanbul.

The opening ceremony of this year's program, organized under the theme "Young Leaders, Local Skills", was held at the UMT headquarters as every year. Deputy Chairman of the Presidency Local Government Policies Board Prof. Dr. Şükrü Karatepe and Secretary General of UMT Dr. Hayri Baraçlı took part in the opening event as speakers.

Following the opening, the program continued with presentations and trainings. Deputy Secretary General of UMT Dr. Ahmet Kazan talked about the structure and functioning of UMT. UMT's Head of Law Department Atty. Zeliha Dikyol talked about the Basic Principles of Local Governments and Municipal Services, and UMT Expert Cemal Baş gave a presentation on CV Preparation Techniques.

On the second day of the program, the participants visited Akyurt Municipality and were received by Mayor Hilal Ayık. The participants had the opportunity to see the municipality's facilities for youth and children in Akyurt. Ankara program continued with visits to Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) and the Directorate General for Local Authorities of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. Participants followed the presentations on the functioning of these institutions. Ankara program ended with a visit to the Nation's Library.

In Konya, the second stop of the program, the participants were received by Mustafa Uzbaş, Deputy Mayor of Konya Metropolitan Municipality. After the tour where the activities of Konya Metropolitan Municipality were explained, Capsule Technology Platform and Social Innovation Agency were visited. Konya program ended with a visit to Mevlana Museum.

After Konya, the program moved to Sakarya. Participants examined handicrafts and products produced from zero waste in the Ofis Art Center operating under Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality. After listening to the mini concert of Sakarya City Orchestra, the participants experienced the adventure trails in the municipality's Adventure Park in Sakarya City Forest.

The participants visited two district municipalities in Istanbul, the last stop of the program, and were first hosted by Zeytinburnu Municipality. Here, presentations on municipal services were made. Zeytinburnu Ice Island, one of the largest ice rinks in Europe, and Zeytinburnu Medicinal Plants Garden were visited. At the second stop, Silivri Municipality, the participants were received by Deputy Mayor Emre Sarısaltıkoğlu. The activities of Silivri Municipality for young people were introduced and the activities were completed with visits to Kale Park Social Facilities and Silivri Mübadele Museum House.

On the last day of the LOCALINTERNational program, a city tour of Istanbul was organized with the traditional gala dinner. Blue Mosque and Square in the historical peninsula, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace were introduced with a guide. The closing ceremony was a gala dinner with a Bosphorus tour. Certificates were presented to the participants and LOCALINTERNational 2023 ended with the closing speeches.

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