FUTURE LEADERS MET IN ESKİŞEHİR

Students who came to Eskişehir as part of the LOCALINTERNational Education Program, organized by the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB) to promote Türkiye's local government experience on an international platform, met with Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce. Mayor Ünlüce expressed her great pleasure in hosting the young people in Eskişehir, saying, "Our city is coming to life with young people."

TBB has launched the LOCALINTERNational Training Program, a program geared towards young people aimed at promoting Türkiye's local government experience on an international platform, developing local diplomacy, and fostering collaboration opportunities with future local leaders. This year, 20 students from 16 different countries participated in the program, which has been held since 2012.

The LOCALINTERNational program brings together students studying in different fields such as law, economics, political science, public administration, urban and regional planning, sociology, media and communications with local governments.

As part of the program, TBB Secretary General Suat Yıldız, TBB Deputy Secretary General Dr. Şengül Altan Arslan and the students met with Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce.

Speaking highly of Eskişehir, Secretary General Suat Yıldız said, "Eskişehir, with its youth and the dynamism that comes with being a university city, is one of Türkiye's most special cities. The Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality is carrying out extremely successful and meaningful projects to improve the quality of life for young people and provide them with a comfortable city life. Among youth-related projects in Türkiye, Eskişehir truly leads the way with the services and opportunities it offers."

Suat Yıldız stated that the Digital Youth Center, which opened in Eskişehir as part of a joint project between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and TBB, is a fitting addition. He said, "We have implemented the Digital Youth Center project in Eskişehir, which we aim to implement at an international level, with great enthusiasm and love. As the Union of Turkish Municipalities, we wholeheartedly believe that you will continue this work in Eskişehir until the end. Eskişehir is proving itself more and more each day to be a model city for the future with the value it places on young people and the opportunities it offers."

Mayor Ünlüce described the services provided by the Metropolitan Municipality in Eskişehir. She stated that they are making great efforts to ensure young people enjoy a peaceful and social life, saying, "We are always here for you with unlimited 24/7 transportation with a subscription card, youth centers, social libraries, a girls' guesthouse, free psychological support, morning soup, free laundry and drying services, youth workshops and camps, talks, training, panels, ESMEK courses, free sports courses, and more."

Mayor Ünlüce, emphasizing Eskişehir's multifaceted character, said, "With our balanced development model, we are not only highlighting one aspect of Eskişehir; we are implementing a comprehensive strategy encompassing all aspects, from tourism and industry to agriculture and animal husbandry, history and culture. Eskişehir, with its rich historical heritage, dynamic industrial structure, fertile agricultural lands, and thriving tourism potential, is one of Türkiye's most versatile cities. This multifaceted approach strengthens Eskişehir's internal dynamics by supporting not only economic growth but also social and cultural development. Thus, our city is maximizing its potential, and the quality of life is improving in every aspect."

Following the speeches, the young people asked Mayor Ünlüce their questions. Students who came to the city as part of the LOCALINTERNational Education Program visited the city's social library, the Sazova Science, Culture, and Art Park, Kentpark, museums in the Odunpazarı district, and the Haller Youth Center, and took a boat tour on the Porsuk River.