Galatasaray University

Together with Master’s students enrolled in the RI 647 Forced Migration and Refugees course, we visited the Migration and Integration Unit of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Social Services Department on 19 November 2024.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to learn about İBB’s 2020–2024 Strategic Plan, the Migration and Integration Action Plan, and the Local Equality Action Plan, along with policies, projects, and fieldwork implemented within these frameworks. 

Our programme began with an informative session held at the İBB Social Services Department’s Ataköy Campus, where representatives from the İBB Migration and Integration Policy Unit provided a detailed presentation on the programmes and projects targeting asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees. This session also allowed us to engage directly with field practitioners, asking questions for a deeper understanding of the ongoing initiatives.

In the second part of our visit, we participated in a field study at the İBB Zafer Neighbourhood Centre, where we observed the social services provided to migrant groups first hand. We also had the opportunity to interact with a teacher from an İBB-run nursery school, where children between the ages of 3 and 6, including Turkish, Uzbek, Syrian, and Turkmen students, receive education. Later, the Social Integration and Migration Unit presented their work, highlighting workshops and training sessions for migrant families and children. We learned that the unit offers psychological support, informative seminars prepared by sociologists and psychologists, as well as support services and job search guidance for migrants.

We sincerely thank the İBB Social Services Department and the Migration and Integration Policy Unit experts and social workers for their informative presentations and hospitality during this enriching visit.