The Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center at BAU

Moments from the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, held on April 17–19.

The Executive Director of the Center, Assoc. Prof. Yüksel Alper Ecevit, took part in this distinguished platform, Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, which convenes global leaders, scholars, and delegates from international organizations.

The program also provided opportunities for engagement alongside BAU Rector, Prof. Esra Hatipoğlu, the Ambassador of Türkiye to Hungary Budapest, Gülşen Karanis Ekşioğlu, and BAU students, fostering meaningful exchange on shared global challenges.

The forum provided a valuable opportunity to engage in high-level discussions on international cooperation, diplomacy, and peacebuilding, while contributing to ongoing efforts toward a more stable and inclusive global order.

Advance your career in peacebuilding with the Rotary Peace Fellowship at Bahçeşehir University.

At the Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center at BAU, we equip professionals working in or focused on the Middle East and North Africa with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex regional challenges. Our program brings together a diverse cohort of peacebuilders, guided by experienced faculty and trainers with strong regional expertise.

Through a 10-week intensive program, fellows develop practical tools for peace and development, engage in collaborative learning with an international cohort, and build lasting professional connections that support their efforts to drive sustainable and inclusive change.

🗓 Applications are open until 15 May for the 2027 cohort.

🌐 Learn more and apply: https://www.rotary.org/peace-fellowships-certificate-program

23 April National Sovereignty and Children’s Day reflects a simple but powerful idea: the future of a country belongs to its children.

When Mustafa Kemal Atatürk dedicated this day to children, he emphasized that national sovereignty is not only about the present, but also about the generations who will carry it forward. Inviting children into Parliament, even symbolically, was a way of recognizing them as future decision-makers.

Today, this vision calls for more than symbolism. It invites us to create spaces where children can think, speak, and participate. The connection between children and sovereignty reminds us that lasting peace is built by empowering the next generation with voice, agency, and opportunity.

Happy April 23rd!

EN:

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, the Eastern Mediterranean remains a key item on the international agenda. “The Eastern Mediterranean in a Time of Geopolitical Turbulence,” organized by BAU Rotary Peace Center, was successfully held at BAU South Campus. Our esteemed speakers, Asst. Prof. Esra Dilek, Assoc. Prof. Cihan Dizdaroğlu, and Assoc. Prof. Uğur Yasin Asal, addressed the region’s evolving dynamics, with a focus on the Cyprus issue.

Peace Fellows from around the world contributed with great interest, enriching the discussion through thoughtful questions and diverse perspectives.

We thank our esteemed speakers, peace fellows and participants, and look forward to our next panel.

TR:

Artan jeopolitik gerilimler ışığında, Doğu Akdeniz uluslararası gündemdeki önemini korumaktadır. BAU Rotary Barış Merkezi tarafından düzenlenen “Jeopolitik Türbülans Döneminde Doğu Akdeniz” paneli BAU Güney Kampüsünde başarıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Konuşmacılarımız, bölgenin değişen dinamiklerini özellikle Kıbrıs meselesi çerçevesinde ele almıştır.

Farklı ülkelerden katılan Rotary Barış Bursiyerleri, yönelttikleri sorularla tartışmayı zenginleştirmiştir.

Değerli hocalarımıza ve barış bursiyerlerine ve tüm katılımcılara teşekkür eder, bir sonraki panelde görüşmeyi dileriz.

Rotary Peace Fellows came together with Rotaract representatives for a truly inspiring session: Colours of Peace: Creative Leadership Through Art

Even a single workshop can spark meaningful change and this immersive gathering at peace center was a powerful reminder of that. Bringing together Rotary Peace Fellows and Rotaracts, the session created a shared space for dialogue, creativity, and reflection.

Led by our Peace Fellow, Anika Natasha Plowden from Trinidad and Tobago, the workshop invited participants to explore their own stories through art.

At the heart of the experience was a hummingbird design symbolizing resilience, hope, and transformation crafted by Chosen Hands youth mentor Abigail Carizzales. Through this hands-on creative process, each participant reflected their personality and perspective into their work.

A big thank you to the dedicated Rotaracts of and and deducated your commitments and support. And to all Peace Fellows thank you for your collaboration, openness, and shared spirit. 🌍✨

Giresun-Ordu saha ziyaretimiz kapsamında, Rotary Barış Merkezi olarak Bahçeşehir Üniversitesi Kurucusu ve Mütevelli Heyeti Başkanı Sayın Enver Yücel ile BAU Farm’da bir araya gelme fırsatı bulduk. Sayın Yücel’in barış bursiyerleriyle kurduğu etkileşim ve bölgenin coğrafi ile sosyo-ekonomik yapısına ilişkin paylaştığı değerlendirmeler, saha ziyaretimizin içeriğini zenginleştiren önemli bir katkı sundu.

Bu buluşma aynı zamanda barış bursiyerlerine kendilerini tanıtma ve yürüttükleri Sosyal Değişim Girişimi (Social Change Initiative) projelerini kısaca paylaşma imkanı sağlamıştır. Bu yönüyle toplantı, karşılıklı öğrenme ve fikir alışverişi açısından verimli bir zemin oluşturmuştur.

Rotary Barış Merkezi programının ve barış ile uluslararası anlayışı teşvik etme misyonunun güçlü bir destekçisi olan Sayın Enver Yücel’in katkıları büyük bir değer taşımaktadır. Kendisine, programa ve bursiyerlere gösterdiği yakın ilgi ve destek için içten teşekkürlerimizi sunarız.

En:

As part of our field visit to Giresun, we, as the Rotary Peace Center at Bahçeşehir University, had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Enver Yücel, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bahçeşehir University, at BAU Farm. His engagement with the peace fellows, along with his insights on the geographical and socio-economic structure of the region, provided a valuable contribution that enriched the content of our field visit.

This meeting also offered peace fellows the opportunity to introduce themselves and briefly present their Social Change Initiative projects. In this regard, the gathering created a productive space for mutual learning and the exchange of ideas.

As a strong supporter of the Rotary Peace Center program and its mission to promote peace and international understanding, Mr. Yücel’s contributions are of great significance. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude for his close interest in and support for the program and the fellows.🕊️

Our third field visit took us to Ordu and Giresun, where we explored the hazelnut sector at the heart of one of Türkiye’s most important agricultural regions. Beyond production, the visit offered valuable insights into how local expertise connects to global markets and supply chains.

We were warmly welcomed by Mr. Yiğit Gürsoy and had the privilege of learning directly from him. From an engaging session on “The Hazelnut Landscape” to a hands-on factory visit, we gained a comprehensive understanding of Türkiye’s leading role in global hazelnut production, along with the technologies and quality processes behind it.

We extend our sincere thanks to Yiğit Gürsoy for his generosity, insights, and hospitality. We also thank everyone at the Gürsoy factory who took the time to engage with us and share their expertise.

Field visits like this are an essential part of the Rotary Peace Center experience; offering fellows the opportunity to engage with local industries and reflect on the intersection of agriculture, sustainability, and global cooperation.🌿💚

With gratitude and respect, we commemorate the victory of Çanakkale. We remember with deep appreciation Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades who led with courage and determination during one of the most defining moments of our history. As we honor this historic victory, we also remember the profound cost of war and the lives that were lost.

As a Peace Center, we carry the lessons of Çanakkale with us: that lasting peace is the most meaningful legacy we can build for future generations.

In memory of all our martyrs.