On 19 March, United Nations and British Council staff learned about the amazing world of social media in a workshop jointly organized by these two entities in Ankara, Turkey. This was the first event organized under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two groups in October 2011, which allowed the UN System in Turkey and the British Council Office to collaborate in areas of common interest.
 
Margaret Jack, Director, British Council in Turkey, Ayman Abulaban, Representative, UNICEF in Turkey, Ümit Efendioğlu, Director, International Labor Organization (ILO) in Turkey and Ahmet Parla, Information Officer, UNIC Ankara, welcomed participants to the workshop and talked briefly about the importance of social media in modern times.
 
Over 40 participants from different UN Agencies in Turkey and the British Council’s Office, attended the all day workshop hosted by the ILO Office.  Zeljko Jovanovic, British Council Head of Digital Marketing, Wider Europe Marketing and Communications, conducted the training.
 
Participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to attend the workshop and learn more about Social Media, especially since, increasingly, their activities involve the use of these tools which are essential to get the attention of youth.
 
According to world statistics, Turkey is the sixth biggest market for Facebook, following the United States, India, Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico.  34% of Turkish users are between the ages 18-24. 30% are between the ages of 25-30. Additionally, Twitter has also started its application in Turkish so as to attract more users.

On 15 March, the UN Information Office (UNO) in Azerbaijan team organized a dynamic information session to familiarize students with the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs), at Baku-based School # 23. The session, held within the framework of the educational campaign to improve knowledge of high school students of several schools in Baku about the MDGs, of their importance and implementation. History, goals, and functions of the UN were highlighted during the integrated session.

The presentation not only covered the basic information related to MDGs and its importance, but rather focused on how this worldwide project led by the UN, affects the country’s future as well as daily living. In addition, students explored the current status of achieving the goals among various states, with particular attention given to implementation in Azerbaijan.

Each of the MDGs was introduced to the students who were asked to critically analyze each goal. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, and promoting gender equality to empower women, can only be done if citizens understand the serious relevance to their own lives. Once parallels of understanding were met, students learned about relevant facts indicating the need for urgent action and follow through in order to achieve the goals.  

Development of human capital is one of the most important goals of the activities of the UN, thus the importance focused on education. The active reaction by the students to participating showed movement toward the goal of development from within Azerbaijan.

“Vibrant discussion among my students truly underlines high importance of such events for their personal development,” said Mrs. Irada Rahimli, Director of School # 23. Expressing her gratitude to the UNO for organizing this “interesting and comprehensive educational session,” she added: “It was an unforgettable experience for the youth, inspiring them to participate in future events organized by the UNO.”

Agshin Guliyev, a high school student from school #7, said that he was touched by learning about the UN’s Millennium Development Goals (MDG), at a school-wide conference hosted by the UN Information Office (UNO) in Azerbaijan team on 14 March.  His participation in the event was a good opportunity to increase his knowledge about the UN.

The UNO team led a presentation covering MDGs specifics as well as the importance of each, and their effects on the country’s future. Students at school #7 were asked to precisely analyze the MDGs and their role in Azerbaijan. The only way to succeed in eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, and promoting gender equality and empowering women will be for generations of youth to understand the significance of these goals for their future.

The large-scale undertaking by the UN can only be carried through generations if they truly comprehend each goal at its core and have a platform on which to discuss and question motives and techniques to implement these goals. To see students at School #7 be motivated by the goals was touching for the UN team as well as the school’s officials.

The session included an educational video, lecture and round table discussions giving the students the opportunity to express their ideas. Mrs. Gulnaz Mehdizade, Director of School # 7, expressed her gratitude to the UNO team for visiting them and informing the youth about the work of the UN. She underlined the impact of strengthening cooperation between high schools and the UNO. Such a successful session proved once again how necessary such information campaigns are for the development of human capital.

On March 13, a “Media Spokesperson Workshop” was organized, by the United Nations Communication Group (UNCT) in Turkey.  Nearly 20 staff from different UN Agencies in Turkey attended the half day long workshop. Unsal Unlu, a senior journalist and currently the anchor of a news program at the Turkish Radio and Television (TRT), was the guest speaker. Unlu spend time elaborating on what journalists were looking for and what methods worked best in conveying UN Agencies’ messages to media.

Metin Corabatir, Spokesperson, UNHCR in Turkey, instructed on how to become a successful spokesperson, why his position was so important and the UN principles when dealing with media.
 
Sema Hosta, Communications Officer, UNICEF in Turkey, made a presentation on how to prepare for an interview. She gave lots of real life examples from her long experience in her current position.
 
The workshop, which took place at the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Ankara's premises, was very well received. Participants mentioned that the workshop was very useful to them and that they were looking forward to similar events in the future.