WE HELD THE 2ND EDITION OF THE NATURE LIVING ACADEMY

This year, the second "Living with Nature Academy," themed "Women and Ecology," was successfully completed!

On our journey towards an environmentally friendly and sustainable life, we organized an ecology camp in Marmaris Turunç from July 7-14, in collaboration with Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, TED University, EGET Foundation, and TOVAK Foundation, with the participation of 20 female students.

The camp, which conveyed the topic of sustainability from the perspective of different disciplines and was enriched with theoretical trainings, field trips, and practical activities, aimed to improve the ecological awareness of our participants, and we are happy to have achieved this goal.

DAY 1

The camp began with the "Living with Nature and Sustainability Opening Session," where Associate Professor Dr. Başak Ağın gave a lecture on "Introduction to Environmental Humanities." This was followed by Associate Professor Dr. Taner Can's lecture on "Our Perception of Nature in the Light of Scientific Theories."

DAY 2

Assoc. Prof. Dr. The afternoon sessions included a ‘Dance of Elements and Drama Performance’ class given by Gizem Yılmaz, and a Seed Banks and Seed Ball workshop given by agricultural engineer Necla Dal. The afternoon sessions were ‘Environmental Economic Politics’ given by policy analyst Müge Bakioğlu and ‘Tips for Environmentally Friendly Living’ given by agricultural engineer Necla Dal.

DAY 3

Students left the camp to visit the EGET Foundation Headquarters Permaculture Garden and the Armutçuk Organic Farming Enterprise. On the same day, Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras received the students and presented them with a copy of Atatürk's Nutuk (Speech).

Afternoon sessions continued with ‘The Mythology of the Olive; Olive Oil Recognition and Tasting Workshop’ and ‘Beekeeping and Beeswax Workshop’ given by agricultural engineer Süleyman Kurnaz. Also on the same day, agricultural engineer Necla Dal conducted a ‘Worm Compost and Compost Workshop’. Chemist Çiğdem Kuş led the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Workshop.

DAY 4

Ayşe Merve Şayak from the MBB Women and Family Services Department gave a lecture on "Gender Equality in Environmental Policies." The day continued with a lecture on "Ecological Awareness Through Music and Poetry" by Dr. Michael D. Sheridan. The afternoon lecture was "Rural Identity and Agriculture in Ancient Amos," presented by archaeologist Emre Mandacı. Before the lecture, a tribute was paid to the late and recently deceased valuable archaeologist Prof. Dr. Adnan Diler, a member of the EGET Foundation Advisory Board and one of the DYA-1 instructors. The day continued with a tour of the ancient city of Amos.

DAY 5

A short break was taken from the lessons, and students enjoyed the sea and sun on a boat trip in the blue waters of Turunç.

DAY 6

The final day of the training began with a lecture by policy analyst Müge Bakioğlu on the Role of Civil Society in Environmental Protection. Following their theoretical training, students developed a sustainability-focused project in the second lecture and presented it to their classmates.

In the lecture, ‘Being a Bee in This Era,’ Dr. Taylan Doğaroğlu strikingly conveyed to the students the struggle of bees to survive and its impact on human life. Agricultural engineer Necla Dal presented a practical lecture on ‘Balcony Gardening in Big Cities.’ The final lecture of the day was ‘Let’s Get to Know the Sky,’ given by astronomer Kadir Uluç.

At the end of the day, students received their certificates. In her closing speech, Özlem Uzman, Chair of the Board and one of the founders of the EGET Foundation, stated that the camp was enriched by the students' enthusiastic participation and expressed her belief that the knowledge and experience gained throughout the camp would guide them both in their individual lives and in fulfilling their social responsibilities.

Day 6

The training concluded with a certificate ceremony for the students. After dinner, the students had an unforgettable experience observing the moon and Saturn through a telescope with astronomer Kadir Uluç.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Ahmet Aras, the President of MBB, Dr. Özge Demirel, Head of the Women and Family Services Department of MBB, SOGEM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taner Can, Head of the English Language and Literature Department at TED University, Ali Turan, President of the TOVAK Foundation, and all other instructors for their support in making this successful organization possible.

We will continue to take steps together towards a sustainable future by increasing our ecological awareness!