A panel titled 'Young Power of Green Transformation - Zero Waste, Technology and New Generation Employment' was organized at COP31 by the Social Development Education and Social Solidarity Association (TOGEM-DER), which was founded under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's wife, Emine Erdoğan, and of which she is the Honorary President.
In the panel at the Türkiye Pavilion, TOGEM-DER President Atty. M. Belma Sekmen, Board members Harika Karakan and Süreyya Yaşar Önal, Mobile Communication Tools and Information Technologies Business People Association (MOBİSAD) Chairman Mustafa Kemal Turnacı and TEKNOİŞ Project trainee Arda Nişancı spoke.
'Youth are repairing the future'
TOGEM-DER President Atty. M. Belma Sekmen stated that they have been working in the fields of social solidarity, education, social aid and sustainability for 20 years. Explaining that the Zero Waste Movement, which was launched in 2017 under the leadership of First Lady Erdoğan, also guided the work of the association, Sekmen said that they re-evaluated the donated furniture, textiles and various products and delivered them to those in need. Noting that they popularized the culture of reuse with Cemre Bazaar and 'Let There Be No Less' activities, supported women's labor and contributed to the prevention of waste with food banking practices, Sekmen said, "Our resources are limited, but the needs are endless. Developing and implementing environmentally friendly policies is no longer a choice, it is almost an obligation. We do not see sustainability only as an environmental issue. We consider it as an integral part of social solidarity, education, production and touching human life."
NEW PROJECT INTRODUCED
Explaining that they have been working on the TEKNOİŞ Project with the slogan 'Youth are Repairing the Future', which they introduced for the first time at COP31, for about a year, Sekmen stated that the project has been implemented. Stating that young people were given practical training on fault detection, maintenance, repair and renewal of electronic devices with the project carried out in cooperation with MOBİSAD, Sekmen said, "We have two important goals. The first is to extend the lifespan of electronic devices and contribute to the more efficient use of resources. The second is to open the door to a new professional field for our young people. Because repairing a device also means a young person acquires a new skill, participates in production and prepares for future employment opportunities."
Stating that the project will be expanded to different districts of Istanbul and other provinces in the future, Sekmen said that the works of young people will be introduced at the stand that will be open during COP31, and workshops will be organized for the repair of electronic devices and re-evaluation of textile products.
NEW EMPLOYMENT AREA
MOBİSAD Chairman Mustafa Kemal Turnacı said that the association, which has been operating since 1998, has been working in the sector with representatives in 8 regions and 67 provinces. Pointing out that the amount of electronic waste has increased with the widespread use of technological devices, Turnacı stated that the Ministry of Commerce's regulation on refurbished products has initiated a significant transformation in the sector. Stating that the reliable return of refurbished devices to the economy contributes to both consumers and the environment, Turnacı said, "TEKNOİŞ Project is at the center of this transformation. We aimed to bring together the job opportunities offered by our sector with the qualified education of our young people. We provide training to our young people in the processes of fault detection, maintenance, repair and reuse of electronic devices."
'10 TIMES CARBON EMISSIONS'
Emphasizing that the project will contribute to the training of qualified technical personnel needed in the sector, Turnacı pointed out the economic and environmental benefits of renewing electronic devices. Stating that the production of new devices causes more than 10 times more carbon emissions compared to refurbished devices, Turnacı said, "On the one hand, we create trained human resources for our sector, and on the other hand, we contribute to the environment and nature. At the same time, we aim to make a positive contribution to the current account deficit by reducing the need for imports."
'75 THOUSAND FARMERS'
TOGEM-DER Board Member Harika Karakan, who also moderated the panel, said that sustainability is the responsibility of not only environmental organizations but also all segments of society. Referring to the 'For All Soil' project, which has been carried out for 11 years in cooperation with Doğuş Çay and TEMA Foundation, Karakan stated that they are working with 75 thousand farmers on sustainable tea agriculture, protection of soil health and efficient use of natural resources. Explaining TOGEM-DER's projects on reuse, textile transformation and developing young people's digital skills, Karakan emphasized that repairing electronic devices is important in terms of both reducing waste and providing young people with a profession.
'CONSUMPTION HABITS MUST CHANGE'
TOGEM-DER Board Member Süreyya Yaşar Önal also stated that combating climate change is possible not only with technological developments but also by changing consumption habits. Explaining that they aim for young people to be individuals who repair, develop and produce technology, not just consume it, Önal said, "When we encounter a small malfunction, we change our phones and computers. However, many of these devices can be repaired and reused. We do not want to see young people as only users of technology. We want to increase the number of young people who repair, develop, produce and find solutions."
'I AM BECOME A PROFESSIONAL'
TEKNOİŞ Project trainee Arda Nişancı explained that his interest in technology turned into a professional goal thanks to the project. Stating that he learned the parts of electronic devices, their operating systems and fault detection methods during the training, Nişancı said, "I have always been interested in technology. However, I did not think that this interest could turn into a profession. Thanks to the training, I am acquiring a new profession and doing a job that is beneficial to the environment. Reusing an electronic device is a valuable step for the environment. Giving a young person a new profession is an investment in the future."
