Abstract:

**Prof. Dr. Sinsi** · 08-24-2012

* ABSTRACT:
Government of Turkey has been carrying out a regional development project in one of the least developed regions of Turkey, namely Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP with Turkish acronym)

The project that cover 9 provinces in Southeastern Anatolia Region corresponding to 10 per cent of Turkey in terms of area and population aims at improving income and living standards of population by developing natural and human resources

The project is focusing on social and human dimension of the project and giving particular importance to civil participation and local capacity building in the region in accordance with its sustainable human development approach

So some social development projects have been carrying out that targeted some social groups such as women, urban poor, children in need, and youth groups

One of these projects related to youth groups has been implemented in Mardin, in collaboration with AIESEC and local administration

Main objective of the project was to improve youth initiatives and improve their participation to development process by enabling them

As a result of catalysing studies in frame of the project, a Youth and Culture Centre was established in Mardin by youth groups, and some training and social-cultural activities have been organised by young people at voluntary base

In this paper, the project processes are analysed, and social impacts of the project on society and young people are assessed

Having based on this assessment, a development model for youth is proposed

The model includes catalysing studies to encourage young people to build their organisations or platforms and establishing interaction environment among young people from different regions in a society in which community initiatives are not developed

After such studies, young people start to be sensitive to common problems of themselves and their communities, to take self-initiatives, and to work for themselves and their communities on voluntary base that makes sufficient contribution to development process

(*) GAP Administration, Ankara, Turkey

08-24-2012	#1
Prof. Dr. Sinsi	Abstract: * ABSTRACT: Government of Turkey has been carrying out a regional development project in one of the least developed regions of Turkey, namely Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP with Turkish acronym) The project that cover 9 provinces in Southeastern Anatolia Region corresponding to 10 per cent of Turkey in terms of area and population aims at improving income and living standards of population by developing natural and human resources The project is focusing on social and human dimension of the project and giving particular importance to civil participation and local capacity building in the region in accordance with its sustainable human development approach So some social development projects have been carrying out that targeted some social groups such as women, urban poor, children in need, and youth groups One of these projects related to youth groups has been implemented in Mardin, in collaboration with AIESEC and local administration Main objective of the project was to improve youth initiatives and improve their participation to development process by enabling them As a result of catalysing studies in frame of the project, a Youth and Culture Centre was established in Mardin by youth groups, and some training and social-cultural activities have been organised by young people at voluntary base In this paper, the project processes are analysed, and social impacts of the project on society and young people are assessed Having based on this assessment, a development model for youth is proposed The model includes catalysing studies to encourage young people to build their organisations or platforms and establishing interaction environment among young people from different regions in a society in which community initiatives are not developed After such studies, young people start to be sensitive to common problems of themselves and their communities, to take self-initiatives, and to work for themselves and their communities on voluntary base that makes sufficient contribution to development process (*) GAP Administration, Ankara, Turkey