Why Building a transnational Turkish diaspora organization and how to do it?

Once again Chat GPT provide a very clear summary of how to build a solid transnational organization that can help and represent the Turkish diaspora globally. But before and as usual I want to say few personal words about this subject.

Why there is no transnational Turkish diaspora organization?

A) The change of mindset and the establishment of a democratic structure

The question that come immediately to mind is why such thing is nowhere near to be a reality for Turkish diaspora.

Obviously its not a small task but the main point is about change the mindset about non profit organization and the important effect that it might have on the course of the Turkish diaspora.

I met too many people that are dissapointed by how NGO works and how little they are not focused on people issues. In the same time and to defend few NGO that tries to do something the conditions to gather people and money are becoming increasingly difficult.

Time is limited for everyone but if we dont either at our own level try to spend some time to help these NGO or support them financially it will be impossible to build such an organisation and even lead to the risk of many NGO disparitions.

Change of mindset is needed to reinvent and make a new model of NGO which are able to being self sufficient organizations financially that pays talented and expert people to lead and deliver projects. In that regard some NGO mainly in North america and UK show the example.

1) A reflection of the diversity of the Turkish diaspora

Ultimately we need to have a diaspora organization that reflects and work for the entirety of the diaspora and not a part of it. This is an imperative to ensure the continuous participation of people into the election system. Otherwise lack of the participation in votes lead the organization to be hollow because it does not gather enough legitimacy from the diaspora population. We need to put also our people at the center of our system and listen to their voices rather than implementing solutions that out of touch with the current situation they live but also be bold to not constantly stay in the status quo.

There should be also a respect earned through legitimacy about this new organisation local representatives that should oversee collaboration between Turkish NGO in the areas.

2 ) The representativity of the Turkish diaspora.

Some people might also argue that an organization based on a election representativity system can lead to situation where it will evolve into more divisions and lead for for any extremist diaspora group to try to impose its way and its view to entirety of the diaspora. These divisions can be about political difference, religious difference and or culture values difference. This is why a set of rules need to be put in place on the creation of the organization to reduce to a minimum risk, the possibilities of partisanship and mismanagement. There should be also limits about what a worldwide Turkish diaspora can do or cannot do in order to prevent that an organization act into areas it should not be intervening.

Independent auditing and legal actions against any official of this diaspora organization liable for any sort of crime are also criteria which will make the institution respected among the diaspora as well as the countries where this organization intervene.

3 ) A healthier competition which focus more about doers than talkers.

The current situation where we are can be displayed as such. Social media figures that mainly focus about politics and Turkey rather than diaspora using divisive language for potential money business and image gains.

We need to promote more about the ideas and have constructive debate between intellectual and thinkers but also put the debate inside every diaspora household. The future of the diaspora should be not either into the hand of a small elite or clique close to any political power but fundamentally in the hand of all people.

Elections should run around projects ideas and vision to improve the future of our diaspora and not about Turkish politics.

It also I think promote healthier competitions between people which want to be elected representatives across the different territories where sizeable turkish communities leave. You are a young Turkish diaspora member you think that you have what it takes to handle responsibilities for your community take a shot to be elected.

We need to elect people which want to do things and serve communities and not pointless talkers that put their own interest before the interest of our diaspora.

B) A collaboration model between the Turkish diaspora and changes inside the Turkish administration

1) A reform of the Turkish YTB

Having a agency like the Ministry for Turkish abroad is a good idea, its natural for a state like Turkey to have an administration which can interact with its diaspora abroad.

Nevertheless the reason for its relative uneffectiveness lies about the fact that the ministry is undersized for the task, and underfunded to be able to deliver the objectives that the organization sets up for itself in his 2024 2028 strategy plan.

So its imperative that the diaspora gather itself the financial ressources and are able to use these ressources effectively and autonomously to cater for its own needs.

I can talk from experience, its quite imperative to take time to know the communities that YTB try to save. A large chunk of time for any new joiners staff of the YTB should be about travelling and meeting people from these communities to understand the complexities and differences which exist inside each community.

It also lack recognition and awareness from larges group in the diaspora and a negative view from some group that consider the institution to be too political.

There is some organizations change and a renewed vision that should be put in place to achieve the goals of the YTB in a faster way. I would like to develop these in a further article.

2) So who should create this organization ?

People can wait all the times for any miracle to happen overnight but thats not how things happen.

Its ultimately the pressure and the advocacy of communities across countries which can help to create such a transnational organization.

If people gather themselves, agree on these strong principles and apply pressure to make these changes happen, non profit leaders will have no either choice to either step aside or to comply with the people will.

We try the other solution which was not simply not care about NGO which does not care about the diaspora needs and overall our communities have lost tremendous time and opportunities to lift us and compete and took our place among the most succesful diasporic communities in the world.

Written by Semih Boyuk

C) How to build a transnational diaspora organization ?

Building a transnational Turkish diaspora organization requires a well-planned structure that caters to the cultural, economic, and political interests of the global Turkish community. Here’s a step-by-step plan to help the Turkish community worldwide to establish a robust and effective diaspora organization:

1. Define the Organization’s Mission and Vision

• Mission: The mission could be shaped through the reflections about Turkish culture, supporting the community’s economic development, fostering global cooperation, or advocating for Turkish interests.
• Vision: Develop a long-term vision, such as building an empowered and globally connected Turkish diaspora.

2. Identify Key Objectives

• Cultural Preservation: Promote Turkish heritage, language, traditions, and values through events, educational programs, and publications.
• Networking and Community Building: Create a platform for Turkish individuals and professionals to connect globally, share opportunities, and offer support.
• Economic Empowerment: Facilitate entrepreneurial ventures, investments, and job opportunities for diaspora members.
• Political Advocacy: Represent Turkish diaspora interests in the host countries by lobbying for policies that benefit the community and Turkey’s international standing.
• Humanitarian and Social Support: Provide support for vulnerable members of the diaspora and those in need in Turkey.

3. Form a Steering Committee

• Selection: Identify key figures in the Turkish diaspora who can represent diverse regions and interests (e.g., business leaders, academics, cultural figures, community leaders). My advice is that it should be done through vote in order to increase the participation of the turkish diaspora to shape its own future and give more weight and legitimacy to the representatives.
• Roles and Responsibilities:President/Chair: Lead the organization and represent it publicly.Secretary: Manage communications and organizational documentation.Treasurer: Oversee financial aspects.Regional Directors: Oversee operations and coordinate activities in different countries or regions (e.g., Europe, North America, Middle East).Advisory Board: Include experts in law, diplomacy, business, and culture.

4. Legal and Organizational Structure

• Legal Framework: Register the organization in a country with favorable laws for international NGOs. Consider dual structures, such as a foundation in Europe and a non-profit in the U.S.
• Tax Status: Ensure tax-exempt status in key countries, which will help in fundraising efforts.
• Chapters and Affiliates: Establish local chapters in major cities with high Turkish diaspora populations (e.g., Berlin, New York, London, Sydney).

5. Build the Network

• Community Mapping: Identify the size, demographics, and interests of the Turkish diaspora in different countries. Use surveys and existing local groups to gather information.
• Collaborations: Partner with existing Turkish community organizations, cultural centers, business associations, and student groups for cross-support.
• Global Events: Organize conferences, cultural festivals, business expos, and networking events to bring diaspora members together. These can be held in different regions annually or biannually.

6. Digital Infrastructure

• Website: Create a professional and user-friendly website that serves as the primary information and engagement hub. It should include:News and updates about the organization and global Turkish diaspora.Resources such as Turkish language courses, job boards, and investment opportunities.A membership portal for networking and communication.
• Social Media: Develop a strong presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter to reach different segments of the diaspora.
• Newsletter: Regular updates to keep members engaged with the organization’s activities, opportunities, and global Turkish issues.

7. Membership and Engagement Strategy

• Membership Tiers: Offer different membership levels, such as general membership, professional membership, and patron or donor membership, each with different benefits.
• Youth and Student Engagement: Establish a youth wing to attract younger generations and provide scholarships, mentorship programs, and internships.
• Incentives: Offer exclusive benefits, such as access to special events, business opportunities, and educational resources, to encourage engagement and participation.

8. Advocacy and Diplomatic Relations

• Political Representation: Engage with local governments, Turkish embassies, and international organizations to promote the interests of the Turkish diaspora.
• Lobbying: Form a lobbying group to advocate for the rights of Turks living abroad and to influence foreign policy decisions that impact Turkey.
• Cultural Diplomacy: Foster relationships with cultural institutions globally to promote Turkish art, cinema, literature, and traditions.

9. Economic Empowerment and Business Networking

• Business Councils: Establish business councils or chambers of commerce for Turkish entrepreneurs and professionals.
• Investment Platforms: Create a platform that facilitates investment opportunities between the diaspora and Turkey.
• Start-up Support: Offer incubators or mentoring programs to support start-ups by Turkish entrepreneurs in both their host countries and Turkey.

10. Fundraising and Financial Sustainability

• Donations and Sponsorships: Encourage donations from wealthy diaspora members, Turkish companies, and local sponsors.
• Events: Host fundraising events such as galas, auctions, and charity runs.
• Grants and Foundations: Apply for grants from international organizations, foundations, and governments that support diaspora initiatives.
• Revenue Streams: Consider monetizing certain services, such as membership fees, job listings, and event tickets, to create sustainable income.

11. Long-Term Growth and Evaluation

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly evaluate the organization’s effectiveness and adjust strategies based on feedback from members and stakeholders.
• Global Expansion: Plan to gradually expand the organization’s footprint into more countries with Turkish communities.
• Legacy and Leadership: Ensure leadership succession planning to maintain organizational stability and continuity over generations.

12. Cultural and Educational Initiatives

• Language and Cultural Programs: Promote Turkish language courses, cultural workshops, and educational resources to help diaspora members maintain their heritage.
• Exchange Programs: Organize exchange programs between diaspora youth and Turkey to foster deeper connections with their homeland.

13. Crisis Management and Support

• Humanitarian Aid: Mobilize the diaspora to provide support during crises in Turkey (e.g., natural disasters, economic challenges).
• Legal and Social Assistance: Offer legal aid, housing support, and social services for diaspora members facing difficulties.

14. Media and Public Relations

• Media Outreach: Partner with Turkish and international media outlets to promote the organization’s activities.
• Public Relations Strategy: Develop a clear PR strategy to promote a positive image of the Turkish diaspora globally, challenging stereotypes and highlighting success stories.

15. Annual Turkish Diaspora Congress

• Congress: Hold an annual congress that gathers diaspora members, Turkish officials, and international stakeholders to discuss issues, share success stories, and plan future activities. This event can rotate between different host cities to ensure broad participation.

Written by Chat GPT