Civil Voices Festival

The SGDD/ASAM organization will organize an event to share their disaster response experience with the Search and Rescue Unit with Dogs. During the event, they will share the training process of the dogs with other civil society organizations and conduct a scenario-based exercise.

A special choir composed of young people with intellectual disabilities and autism invites you to the magical world of music. This 15-person choir will present an unforgettable mini concert to the audience by performing different pieces.

We have started to hear about the climate crisis frequently. But how much do we know about the crisis we are in? The Pro-Life Association at the Civil Voices Festival has designed an exciting game to draw attention to the climate crisis. By participating in this 15-minute game, you can test your knowledge about the climate crisis and have a chance to win small prizes. Come and measure your knowledge, and enhance your awareness of the climate crisis, while enjoying a fun learning experience!

While we are going through days where the pressure for human rights defenders and activists is increasing and discrimination is making itself felt more in our private lives, KAOS GL continues to produce words with the imagination of a free and livable world for everyone. Within the scope of the event, Umut Güven, editor of Kaos GL Magazine, will discuss the theme of "imagination", which is used in the meaning of "dreaming", with the participants in order to respond to the cis-heteronormative system with hope and imagination.

Yaya Association presents the performance 'Walking on My Street', which it performed at the 'Slow Violence, Slow Hope - Artivism Narratives Workshop', led by Prof. Dr. Seçkin Aydın, at the 2023 Izmir Mediterranean Biennial, on a public platform for the first time.

The workshop aims to emphasize that cities should exist for the survival of city residents, not for the uninterrupted and fast movement of motor vehicles. In this workshop, participants will be supported to verbalize and share what they feel while walking on the street in the simplest form. You are invited to join this experience to rethink and express cities.

Are you ready to discover the unifying and healing power of the festival through drawings through collective work?

In this doddle workshop, which is the freest and simplest form of artistic expression, you can concretely express abstract concepts such as "organization," "healing," "social power" with your own hands. Each doodle that will emerge will be a work of art showing that the participants of our festival are together and bear the traces of each of them. Participation is limited to 30 people.

Children from the 8 Steps Association, an association founded by children, will explain children's rights to adults through this game. In this board game, children's rights are discussed through the concepts of desire, need, right and responsibility. A maximum of 20 people can attend the event.

In the workshop, which will be conducted by İris Bilen from İKGV, social harmony, a term we have heard frequently lately, and where the term fits in the perspective of Turkey and migration will be discussed. In the workshop, the definition of social harmony will be made together with the participants, the cultural intersections of Turkey and the countries from which Turkey frequently receives immigration will be explored, and how we can find common ground on why social harmony is necessary will be discussed. A maximum of 20 people can attend the workshop.

Have you heard the knitted tale of solidarity? At times, it must involve pushing and pulling, embracing and repelling, quarrels and peaceful songs, noise and choices, but no matter what, in the end, they should look into each other's eyes, express gratitude, and deepen the stories that foster solidarity.

Stories have the power to whisper the hidden strengths within us that we may not have noticed before when we listen to their voices. In fact, they can not only inspire us but also make us ponder new questions we've never thought of.

In the Stories of Power, we will listen to firsthand accounts of how those working in the civil field in Turkey have gained strength through "solidarity" discussing how encounters can truly transform into a sense of solidarity.

The creative drama workshop on healing, empowerment and solidarity is carried out with a creative drama instructor and aims to raise awareness in a playful atmosphere through drama games and activities, and to open an emotional and intellectual space for the participants by using role playing and improvisation techniques.

The workshop also aims for participants to express their intellectual and emotional feedback in the civil sphere, physically and verbally, in an artistic way. At the same time, the power of solidarity and the importance of healing and strengthening together will be underlined through creative drama.

In this event, which emphasizes solidarity with groups that are discriminated against in society, you can improve your empathy skills with vulnerable groups such as HIV+, LGBTIQ+ and women, and increase your awareness of sexual and reproductive health rights. The maximum number of participants is 10.

A live performance created a cultural and educational reflection of the burden of unpaid housework on women within the framework of gender norms. During the performance, the participants were asked "Have you ever hung laundry before?" questions will be asked and domestic labor and invisible work will be discussed.

In this workshop, GreenComp, DigComp and EntreComp, which are important frameworks aimed at determining digital, environmental and entrepreneurial competencies developed by the European Union, and how these frameworks can be developed will be discussed. GreenComp defines competencies related to environmental sustainability and encourages individuals to increase environmental awareness and gain knowledge and skills on sustainability issues. DigComp is used to measure and develop digital skills, offering individuals the opportunity to assess and strengthen their digital skills. EntreComp, on the other hand, defines entrepreneurial competencies and addresses entrepreneurship with a comprehensive approach such as general skills, problem solving, creativity and innovation.

Espedal Association, which tries to make inaccessible places accessible through bicycles and organizes bicycle tours with 2-person (tandem) bicycles, invites festival participants to share rides. Urim Babacan, who is known for his colorful personality in the cycling community in Izmir and for the free coffee he makes for bike lovers every Saturday at Inciraltı City Forest, will also take part in the ride event. Urim Baba will offer coffee to cyclists.

Would you like to participate in the workshop on knitting winter scarves and blankets to be sent to the earthquake zone? You don't need to know how to knit for this workshop. You can both have fun and support the disaster area with an easy and fast knitting method that does not require fine workmanship.

In 2023, monitoring reports on the current situation of freedom of association in Turkey were published by STGM, TÜSEV and TACSO. These reports;

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* “Civil Society Organizations in Turkey: Freedom of Association and the Right to Participate” by STGM,
* “Enablement Environment for Civil Society Monitoring Matrix 2020-2021 Turkey Report” by TÜSEV,
* “European Commission Directorate General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society in Enlargement Countries (2021-2027), Basic Assessment Report 2021, Turkey Country Report” by TACSO.

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The findings of these reports will be shared at the session.

This workshop will be organized with a perspective that combines data and gender. Topics such as what data means, elements that fall into the definition of data, and connections between data and inequality will be discussed. Discussions about gender equality will be held in the workshop where gender-sensitive data collection and analysis methods will be examined. A maximum of 30 people can participate.

The workshop titled "Embroidering Memory", where the past and present will be combined by touching photographs, offers a different perspective on the art of photography. Using black and white photographs as the main material, the focus will be on the life, places and people of the past period. In the workshop, original works of art will be created by manipulating photographs with needles and threads. Embroidering Memory Workshop offers a great opportunity to learn a new technique as well as strengthen solidarity, collective production and the bond between past and present. A maximum of 20 people can participate.

We, as civil society organizations, regularly organize events. However, are we ensuring that our events reach their target audience, promoting diversity and inclusivity, and facilitating the participation of all stakeholders, while also addressing potential barriers? In this workshop, we will discuss many details related to disabilities and accessibility, gender-sensitive activities, child safety, and other logistical issues that we may be unaware of, have forgotten, or lack knowledge about.

In challenging times, enhancing psychological resilience and flexibility is of critical importance for personal well-being. This session will focus on the concepts of psychological resilience and flexibility, discussing how individuals can strengthen these qualities during crisis situations and assume a protective role. Practical strategies that participants can use to increase their psychological resilience and adapt to changes will be explored.

Are you ready to discover the natural beauties of the festival area and the important role of civil society in this region? You can get to know the birds in the park and observe other species with a short walk during the bird watching trip organized by the Nature Association. The walk is planned to be 45 minutes.

The creative drama workshop on healing, empowerment and solidarity is carried out with a creative drama instructor and aims to raise awareness in a playful atmosphere through drama games and activities, and to open an emotional and intellectual space for the participants by using role playing and improvisation techniques.

The workshop also aims for participants to express their intellectual and emotional feedback in the civil sphere, physically and verbally, in an artistic way. At the same time, the power of solidarity and the importance of healing and strengthening together will be underlined through creative drama.

The Women's Basketball Solidarity Association invites everyone who wants to play with the portable basketball hoop that will be set up in the festival area.

On February 6, what did we experience that night and the next day or what happened during the early hours of the following day, and what did we do immediately afterward? An impromptu performance will also be performed at this gathering, where Teatro Ayntab will tell the story of the movement called "Art is Everywhere", which was started completely voluntarily after the earthquake.

Espedal Association, which tries to make inaccessible places accessible through bicycles and organizes bicycle tours with 2-person (tandem) bicycles, invites festival participants to share rides. Urim Babacan, who is known for his colorful personality in the cycling community in Izmir and for the free coffee he makes for bike lovers every Saturday at Inciraltı City Forest, will also take part in the ride event. Urim Baba will offer coffee to cyclists.

The February 6 Earthquakes confronted us with a major disaster that our country had not previously experienced. While the country was going through its darkest days in history, it was solidarity that kept us all afloat. In this workshop, you will hear the story of organizations that have come together in different ways to support each other.

Lotus Women's Association has been working since February to identify and provide for the special needs of women. From the first day of the disaster, Lotus Women, who have been working in the field, continue to empower women's lives with innovative approaches according to the needs of the field.

During the early days of the earthquake, transportation became one of the most important issues in the disaster-stricken areas, and motorcycle couriers quickly delivered aid to even the most difficult-to-reach areas. In this session, the Courier Rights Association will share the experiences of motorcycle couriers who have gone to earthquake-stricken areas with their motorcycles and their plans and recommendations on how motorcycle couriers can prepare for possible earthquakes.

Defne Women's Cooperative is one of the organizations that survived the disaster by clinging to production. Defne Women’s Cooperative, who say, “We learned the word ‘solidarity’ through experience rather than discourse,”will tell the story of how they started holding on to life together by producing, and will talk about the unifying power of production.

3 pottery lathes, 3 experienced ceramic teachers and a special ceramic workshop equipped with the necessary materials are waiting for you at the festival. In the workshop, which will continue at different times throughout the festival, you will dive into the magical world of clay and create your own works while learning the intricacies of ceramic making.

ENÇOKK box and mobile game was developed within the scope of the EU-supported project "Effective Participation of Disabled Children in Decision-Making Processes" to help disabled and non-disabled children learn about the rights of disabled people through games.

The game, designed for children between the ages of 11 and 18, was aimed at being as accessible as possible for disabled children. With this event, the aim is to introduce and disseminate the game to human rights activists and CSOs that work with/can reach children. A maximum of 20 people can participate.

This workshop is designed for those who want to get a close look at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) and the legislative processes. It will focus on why the processes of legislation and executive oversight are of interest to civil society organizations. The workshop will provide brief information on ways to participate in the legislative processes and discuss how a draft law proposal is prepared through a concrete example. Furthermore, during the workshop, the focus will be on the problems related to public administration faced by civil society organizations (CSOs), and discussions will take place on how issues can be brought to oversight mechanisms such as questions and parliamentary investigations. Additionally, information will be provided on how to make individual applications to Parliament Committees such as the Petition Committee, Human Rights Inquiry Committee, and Gender Equality Committee. Finally, participants will be informed about communication with members of parliament, committees, and political party groups. The maximum number of participants is 25.

Following the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Sivil Düşün has designed a special support mechanism named "Gayret (Endeavour)." During the Festival, "Gayret" beneficiaries will participate to share methods for coping with the effects of disasters and stories of mutual support.

In this session, Sivil Düşün will be joined by Sinem Durmuş from the Solidarity People Association in Adıyaman, who came together immediately after the earthquake and provided an inspiring example of youth solidarity practices, Gökhan Erkutlu from SAHA, an organization that blends the experiences of those involved in humanitarian aid and disaster-related fields in Hatay while working with innovative methods, and Dudu Karaman Dinç from the Denizli Autism Association, who has experience in coordinating solutions for individuals with special needs in Denizli during earthquake times.

In this workshop, where frequently asked questions about humor and caricature will be discussed within the framework of the historical relationship between humor and social movements, "black humor", "freedom of humor and expression" and the reflection of gender equality and diversity in humor and caricature will be discussed.

In this workshop, we will discuss how the effects of past crises in Turkey and possible crisis scenarios can impact children and caregivers. We will focus on the unique needs of children during crisis periods, child-centered approaches to meet these needs, and how collaboration networks can be established. A maximum of 20 people can participate. 

In the workshop, which will be organized with the support of the game book compiled by Zafer S. Yılmaz, information will be given about ice breaking and team building games that will increase group dynamics during meetings and events. While explaining how to use these games, we will of course play games.

In Turkey, the increasing anti-LGBTI+ policies and climate of hatred call for solidarity, mutual learning, and the development of LGBTI+ inclusive practices. In this workshop, discussions will revolve around what civil society organizations can do to support LGBTI+ individuals, and together, we will explore the possibilities of solidarity and empowerment.

Are you ready to discover the power of nonviolent organization? In this workshop, you will learn what nonviolent organization is and get information about how we can develop a nonviolent approach structurally, culturally and intellectually in our organizations. A maximum of 15 people can participate.

In this workshop, information will be provided about the campaign initiated by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality - Urban Justice and Equality Department to combat hate speech and discrimination, and the processes involved in preparing the campaign will be explained.

Yaya Association presents the performance 'Walking on My Street', which it performed at the 'Slow Violence, Slow Hope - Artivism Narratives Workshop', led by Prof. Dr. Seçkin Aydın, at the 2023 Izmir Mediterranean Biennial, on a public platform for the first time.

The workshop aims to emphasize that cities should exist for the survival of city residents, not for the uninterrupted and fast movement of motor vehicles. In this workshop, participants will be supported to verbalize and share what they feel while walking on the street in the simplest form. You are invited to join this experience to rethink and express cities.

3 pottery lathes, 3 experienced ceramic teachers and a special ceramic workshop equipped with the necessary materials are waiting for you at the festival. In the workshop, which will continue at different times throughout the festival, you will dive into the magical world of clay and create your own works while learning the intricacies of ceramic making.

The Women's Basketball Solidarity Association invites everyone who wants to play with the portable basketball hoop that will be set up in the festival area.

In this event, visually impaired Rahime Söylemez, who broadcasts on YouTube under the name Rahime’s Accessible Kitchen, will share her recipes and experiences that she cooks in an accessible way in the kitchen. The event will explain how disabled people can demonstrate their special talents in the kitchen when accessible conditions are provided. A maximum of 25 people can participate.

The creative drama workshop on healing, empowerment and solidarity is carried out with a creative drama instructor and aims to raise awareness in a playful atmosphere through drama games and activities, and to open an emotional and intellectual space for the participants by using role playing and improvisation techniques.

The workshop also aims for participants to express their intellectual and emotional feedback in the civil sphere, physically and verbally, in an artistic way. At the same time, the power of solidarity and the importance of healing and strengthening together will be underlined through creative drama.

The workshop will discuss the concept of 'Antigypsyism', which is a specific type of discrimination that is conceptually little known and often ignored. A presentation will be made on what antigypsyism means and why such a special definition of discrimination is needed. In the workshop, questions associated with Antigypsyism such as "Gypsy or Romani" will be discussed and examples of Antigypsyism that we encounter in daily life will be examined. A maximum of 20 people can participate.

In the workshop, the story of Özge, the daughter of Lawyer Suna Ağır, a member of the Acceptance, Equality, Inclusion, Employment- Autism Association, and overcoming the discriminatory and hindering difficulties she encountered in her educational life, which resulted in her university graduation, thanks to her musical talent, will be shared. A maximum of 25 people can participate.

In this workshop, which offers the opportunity to introduce Laz language and Laz culture, the origins of Laz language, how it has evolved from past to present and why it is in danger will be explained. A maximum of 30 people can participate.

Would you like to learn the rich history of Izmir with the presentation of Mehmet Kahyaoğlu from Yaşar University Department of Art History? In this event, you can enjoy the magical journey of Izmir from ancient times to the present day. A maximum of 30 people can participate.

Are you ready to discover the natural beauties of the festival area and the important role of civil society in this region? You can get to know the birds in the park and observe other species with a short walk during the bird watching trip organized by the Nature Association. The walk is planned to be 45 minutes.

Would you like to participate in the workshop on knitting winter scarves and blankets to be sent to the earthquake zone? You don't need to know how to knit for this workshop. You can both have fun and support the disaster area with an easy and fast knitting method that does not require fine workmanship.

3 pottery lathes, 3 experienced ceramic teachers and a special ceramic workshop equipped with the necessary materials are waiting for you at the festival. In the workshop, which will continue at different times throughout the festival, you will dive into the magical world of clay and create your own works while learning the intricacies of ceramic making.

The "I Am Sensitive to My Environment, I Protect My Values" application, in short, ÇEDES, which also includes schools in Izmir, envisages the appointment of religious officials as spiritual advisors in primary schools. The Equal Life Association invites civil society components to discuss ÇEDES implementation and talk about ideas and suggestions for the future. The number of participants is limited to 30 people.

In its workshop, Subtitle Association will discuss various dimensions of video production as a tool of expression and solidarity in the civil sphere, inspired by the 'Nothing Outside the Frame' video essay in the 'Bottom-Up' video series carried out in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The workshop, which will be held with the participation of the video's director Oktay İnce, will discuss how video production can provide opportunities for social documentation, expression, solidarity and resistance. Ethical issues raised by the action and recording both inside and outside the frame will also be on the agenda of the discussion.

In an age where video is used as the most common means of mass communication and entertainment, we will discover how to use the stop motion technique, one of the video production techniques, to produce, organize and have fun with simple applications. You are the director, screenwriter, actor, art director and designer while using your creativity unlimitedly while making stop motion! In this workshop, where we will discuss the tips of stop motion techniques, we will also create stop motion examples with a small application.

The workshop, which will talk about the right to cultural production in the mother tongue, will focus on freedom of expression in the mother tongue, which represents the right of individuals to create art, literature, music and more in their own language. A maximum of 15 people can participate.