Cooperation with Türkiye
Germany and Türkiye – this is a relationship characterized by diverse historical, economic, and cultural, as well as personal and familial ties. Approximately 3 million Turkish people and people of Turkish origin live in Germany; they are an integral part of German society. At times, "high-level politics" between the two countries can be difficult, and these conflicts impact social cohesion. However, it is precisely during such times that establishing contacts and maintaining dialogue is of particular importance.
For child and youth services professionals, professional dialogue with colleagues from Türkiye and insights into local youth work offer new perspectives on their own work. The opportunity to experience the country of origin of so many young people from Germany first-hand presents a significant chance to enhance professional expertise and gain a broader view of clients and the field of work. This can provide new impulses for pedagogical practice, particularly regarding outreach and engagement with young people of Turkish descent and their families.
IJAB offers various information and advisory services for organisations wishing to develop and implement their own exchanges. It is also possible to get in touch with the responsible contact persons to discuss any concerns by phone or e-mail. Their contact details are shown below.
The cooperation with Türkiye goes back to an agreement on youth policy cooperation that was signed between Germany’s then Federal Ministry for Women and Youth (today: Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, BMbFSFJ) and the Republic of Türkiye’s Directorate-General for Youth and Sports, affiliated with the Prime Minister’s Office (today: Ministry of Youth and Sports, page in Turkish). Under the agreement, a German-Turkish expert committee meets every year, alternating between various cities in Germany and Turkey.
The expert committee reports to the youth ministries in Germany and Türkiye, with IJAB providing input and organisational support. It evaluates the cooperation activities of the previous year, discusses current cooperation issues and decides on the joint implementation of certain central programmes and projects. The results of the expert committee are recorded in annual protocols. The most recent meeting of the German-Turkish expert committee took place in Cologne from 25 to 28 November 2024.
The expert committee is made up of representatives of the youth ministries of Germany and Türkiye, of other ministries that deal with youth-related issues, and of organisations engaged in German-Turkish youth exchanges. The committee is reconstituted every three years. The following organisations are currently represented:
Germany:
- Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
- Working Group of the Supreme Youth and Family Authorities of the Länder
- German Federal Youth Council (DBJR)
- German Sports Youth in the German Olympic Sports Confederation (dsj)
- Federal Association of Cultural Youth Education (BKJ)
- Cooperation Network for Youth Social Work
- Deutsch-Türkische Jugendbrücke gGmbH (DTJB)
Turkey:
- Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Türkiye
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Family Affairs, Labour and Social Services
- Ministry of the Interior, Office of Migration
IJAB regularly organizes programs with partners in Germany and Türkiye, for which German volunteer and professional child and youth services workers can register. These include, for example, events designed to support you in establishing German-Turkish youth exchanges, such as partner-finding forums. Furthermore, thematic events are offered where you can discuss youth policy issues with colleagues from Türkiye, visit facilities, and exchange perspectives on the current situation in each country.
International Youth Policy Cooperation
