publicawareness

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PUBLIC INFORMATION

V. National Conference on Social Services will be held between 21-23 May 1999 in Ankara. The Association of Social Services Experts conducts conference and the theme of the conference is “Human Rights and Social Services in Changing Turkey.” One of the main study groups, which were formed for the preliminary groundwork of the conference, is “the Refugee Rights and Social Services.” ASAM participated in the works of this group and other activities, which include a speech at the conference and preparation of the concluding report.

As a part of ASAM’s commitment to support UNHCR public information activities, ASAM shared a stand with UNHCR at the Healthy Living Fair between 16-21 March 1999 at Atatürk Cultural Center. ASAM with its volunteers took care of the stand throughout the event. Also, ASAM arranged UNHCR’s involvement to some other public events: Bilkent, METU, Hacettepe University Spring Festivals took place in May. ASAM organised to set up joint UNHCR-ASAM stands and also provided volunteers for respective organisations. In some occasions, ASAM provided UNHCR PI Office with consecutive support. For instance, the association prepares invitation cards, brochures, undertakes mailing lists and postage of invitations, preparing press releases, etc.

In 1999, 23 April National Sovereignty and World Children’s Day was overshadowed with the Kosovo Crisis. Even though suffering of the Kosovar children was the underlying theme of the World Children’s Week, it was well worth driving people’s attention to the suffering of other refugee children in Turkey. Through ASAM-UNHCR joint PI activity, many people received our message. For the event, ASAM joined the committee of 23 April at the UNHCR BO Ankara.

- In the committee, ASAM was given the task of preparing T-shirts for the guest refugee children (23 Bosnian, 12 Kosovar and 7 Iraqi) for the 23 April Parade. Aside from accomplishing this task, we also supplied volunteer caretakers during 3-day - visit of guest refugee children.
- Moreover, for the special occasion, ASAM and UNHCR BO Ankara organised “Drawings of Refugee Children in Turkey Exhibition” in two different locations. Ankara exhibition took place at the Turkish American Association between 14-18 April. Istanbul exhibition took place at the Marmara Yelken Klubü (Sailing Club House) between 20-24 April. Ercan Turizm and the Club undertook the entire opening cocktail and other daily meal expenditures as a goodwill gesture and in-kind donation. In addition, the Marmara Yelken Klubü undertook the expenditures of the 5-day venue rent. Many people visited Istanbul exhibition. The exhibition was also used as a fundraising activity.

Universities are one of the main areas ASAM’s public awareness activities focus on. Within this framework, courses at Eski?ehir Anadolu University, Faculty of Communication Sciences was organised by UNHCR Public Information Officer Metin Çorabatir and implemented by ASAM General Secretary Adem Arkadag for the 1998-1999 Spring-Summer Semester. Continuation of the joint endeavor is also envisaged for the next year.

Journalists, TV broadcasters, and News agency personnel are the other medium of public awareness activities ASAM gives importance. For this purpose, we have constant contacts with several journalists.

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The Association for Solidarity with Asylum-Seekers and Migrants (ASAM)
Tunalı Halmi Caddesi 79 / 20
Kavaklıdere, 06700 Ankara - TURKEY

Telephone: +90 - 312 - 426 03 19 / 427 01 89
Fax: +90 - 312 - 426 03 67
e-mail: asam@europe.com