The Green Diplomacy Forum, organized in cooperation with Beykoz University, the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC), and the Basic Needs Association (TİDER), was held on 2 December 2025 at Beykoz University. Bringing together national and international representatives, the forum consisted of three sessions addressing diplomacy, sustainability, volunteering, youth participation, and ecological policies. The event began with opening remarks by TİDER General Manager Nil Tibukoğlu, FICAC Honorary President Dr. Mehmet Aykut Eken, and Beykoz University Rector Prof. Dr. Burak Küntay.
The first session, titled “Sustainability and Diplomacy” and organized by FICAC, was moderated by Prof. Dr. Elif Vatanoğlu Lutz, Faculty Member at Yeditepe University School of Medicine and Founder of the Oxytocin Art and Medicine Platform. This session explored topics such as the role of sustainability in modern diplomacy, the influence of youth in diplomatic processes, gender equality, and the contributions of consulates to global challenges. Speakers included FICAC President and Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Thessaloniki Nikos Margaropoulos; Former Ambassador of Türkiye to Spain and Hungary Ender Arat; FICAC Vice President and Honorary Consul of Chile in Bangladesh Asif Chowdhury; Dean of the Istanbul Consular Corps and Consul General of Croatia Dr. Ivana Zerec; and FICAC Board Member and Honorary Consul of Saint Kitts and Nevis in Türkiye Gönül Oray Eken.
The second session, organized by TİDER and titled “Volunteering and Youth Participation in Civil Society – Food Banking and Green Diplomacy,” focused on the connection between the food banking model and the climate agenda, the social impact of reducing waste, and the transformative role of young volunteers. Moderated by TİDER Project Manager Melike Çorlak, the session featured TİDER General Manager Nil Tibukoğlu, who presented the association’s work and food banking system; and TİDER Field Representative Eren Can Cihan, who shared his volunteering experience during the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquake and his transition from volunteering in a civil society organization to a professional career. Disaster Platform Project Consultant Ali Orçun Güner also provided insights into the coordination of volunteering efforts during disaster periods.
The final session of the day, titled “European Green Deal and Türkiye’s Adaptation Strategy,” was hosted by Beykoz University. Moderated by Prof. Dr. Aylin Ünver Noi from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Beykoz University, the session featured Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Nas from the Economic Development Foundation (IKV) and Cem Bico from the Heinrich Böll Foundation Turkey Office. The speakers evaluated Europe’s green transformation processes, current ecological policy approaches, and Türkiye’s position within this framework.
Shaped by the shared vision of the three institutions, the Green Diplomacy Forum aimed to enhance young people’s awareness of sustainability, volunteering, the climate crisis, food waste, and social solidarity within the scope of sustainable development goals. The event brought together new perspectives on sustainability and diplomacy and received significant interest from participants.
This content was updated on 03/12/2025.