The “Future Projection for the Family” Workshop, organized by our University’s Debate and Law Studies Club, hosted by Istanbul Medeniyet University within the scope of Family Week and with the support of the Anatolia to the Earth Women’s Civil Society Organizations (AYSİT) Foundation, was held on May 6, 2025, in the Blue Hall of the North Campus, Block B. The event, organized with the theme of “Problems in the Family”, addressed the causes of family problems, their social effects and solutions with an interdisciplinary approach.
At the opening of the workshop, AYSİT Foundation President Av. Serpil Balat, TBMM Osmaniye Deputy and Minister of Family and Social Services between 2020-2023 Derya Yanık and Istanbul Medeniyet University Rector Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik gave speeches. At the opening, projects aimed at strengthening the family institution, state policies and changing family dynamics from an academic perspective were evaluated.
Our Rector Prof. Dr. Gülfettin Çelik, in his speech, stated that one of the fundamental duties of humanity is to protect the natural balance on earth, and drew attention to the fundamental role of the family in the sustainability of this balance. Prof. Dr. Çelik said, “A very important starting point in the restoration of the disrupted balance is actually the family,” and pointed out that the family institution is an area of responsibility that covers not only today but also future generations. On the other hand, Çelik emphasized that there is no need for pessimism despite the difficulties encountered, and gave a message of hope for the future with the words, “Every generation is a new chance, every generation is a new opportunity. Even in the darkest darkness, there will always be hope in the proximity of that dawn light.” He stated that Istanbul Civilization University is ready to cooperate in this area.
In her speech, Derya Yanık emphasized that the family is not only the basic building block of individuals but also of society, and touched upon state policies aimed at protecting and supporting the family. She drew attention to the family-centered implementation of social services, the strengthening of protective-preventive mechanisms, service models offered for disadvantaged individuals and families, and the effects of changes brought about by digitalization on family structure. She also touched upon child protection systems, the expansion of family counseling services, and the work carried out to combat violence against women, and pointed out the importance of public-civil society-university cooperation in this area.
Following the opening speeches, the conference titled “Transformation of the Family from Past to Present” given by Prof. Dr. Mahmut Hakkı Akın, Head of the Sociology Department of our University, attracted great attention. The conference comprehensively addressed the historical transformation of the concept of family and its effects on social structure.
Within the scope of the workshop, five separate tables were created under the titles of Law, Health, Religion and Sociology, Education and Media and Communication. At each table, experts in the relevant field discussed current problems affecting the family structure and developed solution suggestions.
- The Legal Desk discussed awareness of domestic rights, the difficulties faced by victims of violence in legal processes, and the need for legal reform.
- The Health Desk focused on inequalities in mental and physical health, preventive services, and access to healthcare.
- The Religion and Sociology Desk discussed the social and religious transformations in the family structure and dealt with the themes of value transmission and cultural solidarity.
- Education Desk focused on parent education, digitalization, school-family cooperation and equal opportunities in education.
- The Media and Communication Desk presented views on the impact of digital media tools on family structure, children's relationship with the media, and healthy communication strategies.
The workshop aimed to evaluate contemporary problems faced by the family institution within an interdisciplinary framework and produce solution suggestions. As a result of the discussions held throughout the day, concrete suggestions were developed to protect the family and prepare it for the future. At the end of the event, participants emphasized that the protection and strengthening of the family institution is of vital importance for the sustainable development of society.
