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Liberal Youth Work
“Strategic association” – FNF hosts international young liberals at Istanbul bootcamp

IFLRY on Bosphorus tour
© Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

For more than one reason it was a special occasion: After a long period of meeting in the digital space, this event happened in person. In early July, some 25 young liberals from over a dozen countries assembled in the heart of Istanbul for a three days-program titled “BootCamp Civic Activism: Take Ideas to the Streets” and organized by International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY). As part of training, FNF Turkey hosted an expert session at which senior members of our Turkish partner organizations shared their perspectives of the role of civil society and political parties in Turkey and engaged in a lively debate with the delegates. We continued the discussions at a dinner during a boat ride on the Bosphorus, typically a highlight of every visit to the city. 

The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) is an international liberal organization of political youth organizations many of whom are affiliated with liberal political parties. The main aim of this seminar was to enhance the skills of the young leaders regarding civic activism as well as learning and applying practical skills.

The FNF-sponsored panel featured Umut Rojda Yıldırım, an LGBTI+ and human rights activist at SPoD (Social Policies, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association), Barış Altıntaş, the Cofounder of MLSA (Media and Law Studies Association) and Tarık Beyhan, the Communication Director at Amnesty International Turkey. Project Director Dr. Ronald Meinardus guided through the debate during which he highlighted the close, “strategic” association of the Foundation with IFLRY which goes back many years.