Before We Lose Our Children
· Halil ETYEMEZ
A project focusing on at-risk youth highlights the importance of proactive social policies and the role of hope, arts, and sports in child development.
Yesterday, as the Erdemli Yöneticiler Akademisi Derneği (Academy of Virtuous Managers Association), we held an important event in Ankara to share the results of a significant study. The 'Algorithm Project for Children Under Potential Risk,' conducted with the support of the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations of our Ministry of Interior, is more than just a project; it is a strong call to responsibility for the future of our children.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who graced our program, especially the Deputy Minister of Interior, Mr. Bülent Turan, esteemed representatives from our public institutions, our academics, distinguished chairpersons of our unions and NGOs, our NGO executives, educators, university students, our youth, ladies, and gentlemen. The convergence of people from different institutions and backgrounds around a common goal is one of the most beautiful indicators of our shared sensitivity towards our country's future.
Today, the risk areas threatening children worldwide are diversifying by the day. Changes in family structures, economic vulnerabilities, digital dependencies, threats originating from social media, a culture of violence, and issues of belonging directly impact the lives of our children. Therefore, viewing the issue of children solely through the lens of education, security, or social services is insufficient. The issue of children is also an issue of the future. It is an issue of civilization.
Within the scope of the project conducted with this understanding, the life stories of young people in penal institutions were scientifically examined under the leadership of academics from Necmettin Erbakan University, with risk factors and protective elements analyzed in detail. The findings revealed not only academic insights but also crucial results that will illuminate new policies and practices to protect our children from risks.
The research results indicate that numerous variables, from school absenteeism to economic conditions, family structure, and parental education levels, have decisive effects on children's lives. Furthermore, it was observed that hope for the future, sports, arts, cultural activities, and strong social relationships are among the most important protective factors for our children. New threat areas emerging with the opportunities offered by the digital world were also among the striking findings of the research.
Perhaps one of the most important messages of the research is this: Security measures alone are not enough to protect our children from risks. Nurturing our children's hopes and connecting them with arts, sports, culture, education, and strong social circles are equally important. Because children who have hope for the future have a greater capacity to hold onto life.
One of the most significant aspects of the project is the ability of the public sector, universities, and civil society to act with a common intellect. Today's complex social issues cannot be solved by a single institution. Therefore, the development of a collaborative work culture, the establishment of strong partnerships between our institutions, and the support of evidence-based studies are of great importance.
This study also presents a significant model for protective and preventive social policies towards children in Turkey. It has demonstrated that an approach capable of foreseeing risks and protecting our children from the outset is possible, rather than approaches that focus on intervention after a crime has occurred. True success is not trying to win back our children after we have lost them, but succeeding in never losing them in the first place.
On this occasion, I thank our esteemed mentor, Mr. Yaşar Şahin, who led the project from its conceptualization to its implementation, Prof. Dr. Hakan Sarı and his academic team who conducted the scientific studies, our project coordinator Ms. Dilek Arı, Mr. Sinan Temur who closely followed the project on behalf of our Board of Directors, our Board Member Mr. Cengiz Ergül who successfully presented the program, our stakeholder ministries, our project team, and everyone who contributed.
I also express my gratitude to the Deputy Minister of Interior, Mr. Bülent Turan, who honored us with his presence and valuable insights at our program, and to the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations for their support. I would also like to thank Mr. Devlet Sert, the Chairman of Öz Sağlık-İş Union, for hosting our program and providing us with this opportunity.
The program we held yesterday is not an end, but a new beginning. Because the responsibility to protect our children is not limited by any project duration. We will continue to support every initiative that protects our children from risks, nurtures their hopes, and prepares them for strong futures.
The study whose results we shared today is also a concrete reflection on the ground of the understanding we have advocated for years as the Erdemli Yöneticiler Akademisi.
We do not view virtuous management merely as holding a position or title.
A virtuous manager is someone who sees authority as a trust, combines knowledge with conscience, strives to understand people, and assumes social responsibility.
A virtuous manager is not someone who seeks solutions after problems arise, but someone who prevents problems by correctly reading people and society.
Because we know that humans have not only needs but also a search for meaning. A person who loses their meaning loses their direction; and a society that loses its direction faces the risk of losing its future.
Therefore, as the Erdemli Yöneticiler Akademisi, we do not consider merely producing projects to be sufficient. We strive to contribute to understanding our people, correctly interpreting our society's issues, amplifying the common good, and rebuilding meaning in life.
We will continue to work with a sense of trust for our children, our youth, our families, and our country's future.
We thank all our friends who support us on this path and invite them to think together, produce together, and walk together.
Because we believe that strong societies rise on the shoulders of virtuous individuals who assume responsibility, carry a sense of trust, and place people at the center, alongside strong institutions.
We must collectively strengthen an understanding that can identify and protect our children before we lose them, not after.
Because our future is our children.
Protecting them is our shared responsibility.
May you be entrusted to God.
Forgive me for any shortcomings.