CIFAL Istanbul Youth Platform was launched in December, 2021 at Bahçeşehir University South Campus with the participation of Mr. Nikhil Seth, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and President of UNITAR at that time. CIFAL Istanbul is the only CIFAL center among all other CIFAL centers in the world that has a special structure for young people with the CIFAL Istanbul Youth Platform. This platform, which operates under the umbrella of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) at Bahçeşehir University, aims to raise young people’s awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encourage them to develop their ideas and support them in developing projects.
CIFAL Istanbul Youth Platform provides a unique environment for young people to realize their innovative ideas and create solutions to global problems, while strengthening knowledge and experience sharing through bridges with national and international stakeholders. By unlocking the leadership potential of young people, the platform paves the way for inspiring projects to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals; and by harmonizing the dynamic academic environment of Bahçeşehir University with the global vision of the UN, it equips young people to shape the world of the future.
The platform collaborates with student clubs at the university to ensure the active participation of young people through activities such as social responsibility projects, field trips, seminars and workshops. At the same time, platform members have the opportunity to collaborate with UN agencies and participate in international internship and training programs. Operating as the first and only youth platform among all CIFAL platforms, CIFAL Istanbul Youth Platform reinforces CIFAL Istanbul’s pioneering role on a global scale by enabling young people to take concrete steps for a sustainable world.
