Bringing Turkish children and refugee children together through art
The World Refugee Day event organized by IGAM (The Research Centre on Asylum and Migration), together with General Directorate of Migration Management once again showcased the impact of art to promote integration
Turkish children and refugee children came together to perform in a joint folklore group and to sing together in a joint choir
İGAM’s President Metin Çoratabır “ We are faced with the reality of living with refugees for a longer period of time. Everyone needs to take responsibility ”
The World Refugee Day event, organized by IGAM and the General Directorate of Migration Management, used art to join Turkish children and refugee children. During the event held in Keçiören on Friday the 28th of June, the children performed in a joint folklore group and sang in a joint choir. This event showcased the importance of art for the process of harmonisation.
Metin Çoratabır said that Syrians are expected to return to their countries when peaceful conditions have been created, however these conditions have not yet been achieved. Therefore we should remember that we are faced with the reality of living with refugees for a longer period of time. Everyone needs to take responsibility”
Jean-Marie Garelli, the Deputy Head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Turkey, said that the international organisations acknowledge that Turkey is the country with the highest number of refugees in the World. Aydin Kadıoğlu, the Head of the Department of Compliance and Communication of the General Directorate of Migration Management, thanked all those who are taking their responsibilities in regards to the issues of migration.
Art for harmony!
As 2019 was announced as the ‘year of harmony’ in Turkey, it has become more important to facilitate the mingling of foreigners under temporary protection with the local host communities. Like every year on World Refugee Day, IGAM, which is experienced in dealing with issues related to integration and harmonisation, organized an event full of music and art including Turkish and refugee children.
IGAM’s children's folk dance team, whose members are studying at Keçiören Katip Çelebi Primary School performed at the event hosted by the Keçiören Municipality. The group which consists of Turkish and refugee children, who successfully have exhibited their plays in various regions all over Turkey were later presented awards by Metin Çorabatır, the Malala Fund Gulmakai Network Champion and Halime Güner, President of the Flying Broom Foundation. Presenting these awards, Halime Güner, stated that the most important aim of the Malala project is the schooling of girls and said, “ We need to increase their literacy levels. ”
IGAM‘s Youth Choir Concert
During this event, which was attended by an enthusiastic multinational crowd, the ‘IGAM Youth Choir’ also performed. The choir performed in various languages, including English, Arabic and Turkish, accompanied by very young children. The ‘IGAM Youth Choir', founded and directed by Mrs İnci Ayağ and Mrs Semra Ört, is a very important work, part of the ‘Our Choir Project”, show casing integration, and in particular how refugee children can live together with local people.
Çorabatır, “More than four million people are waiting for a solution to their problems”
In brief, the opening speech of İGAM Chairman Metin Çorabatır is as follows:
"Over the last 20 years, Turkey has been experiencing a large influx of refugees. Turkey has been generous in opening its doors and as a result has become the country hosting the largest refugee population in the world today ... over 3.6 million people came to our country from Syria. We all hoped that these people would voluntarily return back to their country in peaceful conditions. Unfortunately, the conditions of peace have not been achieved, and we are now faced with the fact that we will be hosting the refugees for a yet indefinite period of time. Therefore, the Turkish Government declared this year as the ‘year of harmony’. Despite all the sacrifices that Turkey made, there are still more than four million people waiting for a solution to their problems. More children need to be educated; more people need to find employment. It is unfair to expect the State alone to find a solution for this… NGOs, businesses, academics, and everyone in society should take their responsibilities”.
