From June 30 to August 5, volunteers of the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan took part in an international motivational and educational camp on the picturesque island of Heybeliada (Turkey). Among the invited delegations of volunteers from other National Societies were also representatives of the Red Crescent Societies of Turkiye, Northern Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of the Hungarian Red Cross. The camp program included both an intensive educational agenda and cultural activities, excursions, which made it an important platform for sharing experiences and strengthening international ties among volunteer communities.
The educational part of the camp consisted of practical trainings and interactive sessions. Speakers shared information about successful projects and developments in the field of disaster management and climate change; participants also learned a lot of interesting things about humanitarian and social activities, the work of blood donation centers, as well as the Gönüllöl information platform for engaging people in volunteer activities and providing them with training. Theoretical material was accompanied by group exercises and case studies, which in turn made it possible not only to gain knowledge, but also to practice skills in simulated situations — something especially useful for further work in their National Societies.
An integral part of the camp program were cultural evenings, where each delegation of volunteers prepared a mini concert and a presentation about the activities of their National Society and the country they represented. Through music, dance, and stories about implemented projects, the volunteers got to know each other better, established personal contacts, and strengthened the sense of solidarity that forms the foundation of international volunteer cooperation.
Thus, the team from the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan performed the national Turkmen dance “Küştdepdi”, the song “Gel Turkmenistana”, and presented memorable souvenirs and traditional Turkmen treats as gifts to volunteers from other National Societies, as well as to the camp organizers.
As part of the leisure program, the organizers arranged excursions to the historical and cultural landmarks of Istanbul. The volunteer participants visited the Topkapi Palace, where they explored the armory, the treasury, and the Chamber of Holy Relics, which houses Islamic sanctuaries brought from Mecca and Medina. A tour of Hagia Sophia allowed them to experience the city’s centuries-old architectural history, while visiting the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan or “Sunken Palace”) and strolling through Gülhane Park added an atmosphere of discovery and aesthetic pleasure to the program. A special highlight was a ferry trip along the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, which gave the participants an opportunity to communicate in an informal setting and enjoy views of the city from the water.
The international camp on Heybeliada showed that the combination of professional training, exchange of experience, and cultural interaction creates a strong foundation for the development of volunteer initiatives. Such events, congresses, and camps not only enhance the competencies of volunteers, but also strengthen international solidarity, friendly relations, and communication that are essential for effective social and humanitarian work in the future.
