Bridging Asia and Europe. YMCA in Istanbul

The first official contact between the Turkish and European were made in 2009,

however, the YMCA in Istanbul has a relatively long history. It was founded in 1914 and this makes it older than any other YMCA in the Balkan Region.

It is different from the other movements of the Region. It enters the Balkan Project as a quite well off organization: it has property, income and does not depend on the governmental resources. Also the association is advanced in terms of institutional development: the Office and the Board work according to the best standards. There is no problem with bad management or lack of democracy – common issues in young YMCAs in Southern and Eastern Europe.

At the same time there is rather poor programme offer addressed to the community. At the moment the most prominent activities are:  scholarships founding   and the facilitation of youth exchange within ICCP. The Turkish YMCA reminds more an agency that provides particular services to clients than an NGO’s place where people spend time.  When you look at all the impressive property situated in the most attractive parts of Istanbul, you see a lot unused potential. This is completely different situation from that one can see in most of other YMCAs of the Region, where there are people and activities but not enough own place (if they have any own place).

The NGO system does not contribute much to the organizing Turkish social life. This means that voluntary work is not commonly regarded as a valuable way of self-development.  Many social needs are well fulfilled by religious (Islamic) institutions and extended family relations.  Such organizations as YMCA are mere the addition to all the traditional offer. The Turkish society is not in need of missionary organizations based on Christian ideology. To exist and be accepted the YMCA must offer very concrete services, with unquestioned utility for the people.

The Turkish YMCA is business oriented, however, the business is associated with social utility. It is known as association that focuses on youth, culture and education. Funding scholarships for students and facilitation the youth exchange reflects the mission.  Running summer camps for children belong to realistic plans as they have a piece of land with all necessary camping facilities.  The program offer, though limited, is very concrete and addressed to particular target groups. Perhaps this is the foundation for building up other activities. Also it looks like the right direction of the development of human resources - leaders for program work.

For the Balkan Project the Turkish YMCA means not only the opportunity of extension - this also means another challenge. The specifics of the country, especially religious structure make most of the methods of work with communities that have been worked out before impossible to apply.  The Turkish association makes their own way, different than other Balkan YMCAs, but this may be also effective. Having young Turkish leaders in the YMCA Europe projects seems to be a sensible beginning for the process of working appropriate common strategies.

 Turkey is a fascinating country with colourful history and traditions. Istanbul itself is a place where various civilizations, cultures and religions have been always meeting.  The Istanbul is located on two continents – in both metaphoric and literal sense is placed to role of a meeting point for Asiatic and European influences.

Adam Rychlik

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23. – 26. August the Balkan Project staff, Adam Rychlik and Marius Pop met General Secretary of the Turkish YMCA, Haluk Kula in Istanbul.