Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies - 18 June 2003
Arzu Ozsoy and the Media Department of Turkish Red Crescent
Already well respected for its disaster response and psychological support capabilities, Kizilay, the only indigenous, nationwide, volunteer- and community-based humanitarian organisation in Turkey, was keen to emphasise the importance it attaches to the problems of young people, who constitute the vast majority of the country's population.
Kizilay offers a number of services for young people, such as providing free scholarship to many students to help them complete their education and offering them accommodation in Red Crescent dormitories. Kizilay also gives holiday opportunity to young people at its camps, which are located in forests and by the seaside throughout the country.
"Kizilay's youth services are reaching more and more people each year and we particularly focus on training of young people. Joint training programmes organized by Kizilay in cooperation with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and other national societies will be broadened each year through participation of young volunteers and the public," Kizilay President Dr. Ertan Gonen told a press conference to mark the anniversary.
"The presence of Kizilay in this country enables young people to be more confident about their future," he added.
The Youth and Health Camps organized by the TRCS every summer not only offer holiday opportunities to young people, they also contribute to their education. Besides enjoying entertaining activities, the young people attending the camps are also equipped with information very useful both for themselves and their families.
From this year, Kizilay is planning to provide basic information about HIV/AIDS to young people at the camps, within the framework of the Federation's global action against HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. Everything that they might want to know about the disease has been compiled within a programme, with the goal of shattering the myths associated with HIV/AIDS and preventing the isolation of people living with the virus.
Kizilay also aims to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among the younger generation by participating in many social events. This year, for instance, Kizilay's anniversary coincided with a Youth and Training Fair in Ankara, where TRCS health personnel took the opportunity to introduce their services to the capital's young population and encourage them to become volunteers.
A common complaint was the lack of HIV/AIDS-related activities in the country and the unsatisfactory level of awareness and knowledge among the public of the issue. AIDS is still vr much a taboo subject in Turkey, and many were reticent to talk about it. But some, like 23-year-old Leyla Arslan, were quiet open and even suggested how activities should be carried out.
"I know a few things through the TV programmes but not much. We are aware of most health issues, but not HIV/AIDS," she explained as she picked up Kizilay public information materials. "Young people need to know how to protect themselves. Since we are so dependant on the media, the most logical way is to educate people through the media."
In response to Leyla's comment, one of the TRCS health personnel referred to the media campaign on which Kizilay and the Federation are working together with the advertising agency, Saatchi&Saatchi. She explained that the aim was to increasing knowledge about how the virus is transmitted, the importance of self-protection as well as the need for a change of attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS.
The fair not only helped Kizilay to introduce its services to the young population in Ankara, but also succeeded in recruiting a number of young and enthusiastic volunteers.
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