Country Context

For centuries, Istanbul has been the site of intersection between cultures, empires, religions, and ideas. Its location at the meeting point of Europe and Asia on the shores of the Bosphorus has attracted traders, rulers, and armies, revolutionaries, and dreamers as well as migrants from near and far. This has made Istanbul the vibrant metropolis that it is today with close to 11 million residents, one of the largest ports in the world, the economic hub of the region, and an important political center.

Project Context

The GPIA Istanbul program will be based at the Bahçeşehir University of Istanbul. The program is focused on human rights (specifically women, children, refugees, and migrants), urban development, democratization and governance in multiethnic communities. Of course, we will try to accommodate students with other interests to best of our ability.

The program consists of an internship, a weekly seminar, and other group activities. In addition, students are required to attend Turkish language lessons in the spring semester.

Partner Organizations (Confirmed)

Anadolu Kültür
Truth-Justice-Memory Project
Habitat Center for Development and Governance
Amargi Istanbul
Community Volunteers Foundation
Mavi Kalem – Social Assistance and Charity Association
Young Civilians
Mazlumder – Organization of Human Rights and Solidarity for Oppressed People
Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly

Possible Partner Organizations

Mor Cati – Women’s Shelter Foundation
Foundation for the Support of Women’s Work
Istanbul Youth Initiative
Human Rights Association Istanbul Branch
United Nations Population Fund
TEPAV Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey
Ucan Supurge – Flying Broom
KA-DER Association for Support and Training of Women Candidates
TESEV – Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation

Living Arrangements

Students will be living in shared apartments.

Program Info and Requirements

Begins: 29 May 2013
Ends: 31 Jul 2013
Supervisor: Everita Silina 
Language Requirement: Turkish class in the spring semester 2013
Required courses: TBA
Concentrations: All concentrations in International Affairs may be applicable to this program. Students in the Milano programs in policy and nonprofit management as well as in Parsons are also welcome.
Syllabus: Forthcoming

Everita Silina Contact Information