2019 senesinin başlarında İhtiyaç Haritası’nın kurucularından dostlarım Ali Ercan ve Mert Fırat benimle temasa geçip “Bir festival düzenlemeyi planlıyoruz, senin israfı önleme vizyonunu da bu festivalde uygulamak istiyoruz” dediklerinde çok mutlu olmuştum. Sonrasında “Eğlen, İz Bırakma” mottosuyla düzenlenen Festtogether’ın nasıl bir işbirliğiyle gerçekleştirildiğini ve bu ilk festivalde neler yaşandığını bu haftaki yazımda kaleme alıyorum. read more...

Geçen sene ilkini düzenlediğimiz Festtogether “Eğlen İz Bırakma” mottosu, Türkiye’de ilk defa oluşturulan sürdürülebilirlik üzerine kurgulanmış konsepti ve muhteşem programıyla tüm katılımcıların keyif almasını sağlamıştı. Bu sene de Covid-19 salgını yaşadığımız günlerde Türkiye’de yine bir ilk’e imza atarak evde festival kavramı getirildi. İhtiyaç Haritası’nın önderliğinde düzenlenen bu harika festivale tüm STK kardeşlerimizle birlikte hepimizin katkıları oldu.     Öğleden sonra da yine değerli konuşmalarla birlikte müzik şöleni başladı. Öğleden sonraki programı da paylaşmak isterim:   Youtube’da yayınlanan bu festivale Festtogether’ın resmi sitesinden giriş yapabiliyordunuz. Daha fazla bilgi için de bu Festtogether’ın resmi websitesine girmenizi tavsiye ederim: http://festttogether.com/ Festtogether Evde, YouTube Türkiye ve netD Müzik YouTube kanalları üzerinden hayata geçirildi, Covid-19 salgını sebebi ile ortaya çıkan ve İhtiyaç Haritası üzerinde listelenen ihtiyaçların izleyicilerin destekleri ile karşılanacağı, Türkiye’nin ilk dijital festival oldu. Sosyal fayda odağı ve müziğin birleştirici gücü ile dijitalin dönüştürücü etkisini ortaya koymaya hazırlanan festivalin programında; ev sahibi sanatçıların sunumları, misafir sanatçıların Festtogether'a özel hazırladığı müzik yayınları ve uzman isimler ile iklim, çevre, spor, birey sürdürülebilirliği üzerine paneller ve etkinlikler yer aldı. Festtogether Evde, YouTube Türkiye ve netD Mzik YouTube kanallar üzerinden, 10.00 ile 00.00 saatleri arasında gün boyunca izlenecek şekilde organize edildi. Bunlarda festivalden kalan hatıraların kareleri: Sertap Erener Sol Görsel: Mert Fırat Aktör – UNDP İyi Niyet Elçisi Orta Görsel: Gökhan Özoğuz – Athena Sağ Görsel: Hakan Özoğuz – Athena Festivalle ilgili daha fazla bilgi için İdema Haber’in yayınladığı bültene bakabilirsiniz: http://www.idemahaber.com/turkiyenin-iyilik-odakli-ilk-muzik-festivali-festtogether-bu-yil-dijital-olarak-duzenlendi/ Türkiye’nin ilk sürdürülebilir festivali Festtogether’ın bu sene evde düzenlenen konseptinde bana göre yapılan en önemli iş festivalin gelirlerinin İhtiyaç Haritası tarafından ihtiyaç sahiplerinin ihtiyaçlarının karşılanması için kullanılmasıdır. Bakınız: http://festttogether.com/#destekol Festtogether aracılığı ile, başta sağlık sektörü çalışanları ve hastane ihtiyaçlar olmak üzere, uzaktan eğitim sürecinde bilgisayar ihtiyacı olan öğrencilere, sahne sanatları emekçilerine, müzik sektöründe teknik alanda çalışan emekilere ve daha birçok ihtiyaca destek sağlanmış olundu. Bugün itibariyle Festtogether sayesinde toplamda 344.090 kişinin ihtiyacının karşılandığını gözlemleyebiliriz. Emeği geçen herkese helal olsun! read more...

Bu yılın ilk yazısında Yüzer Güneş Enerji Sistemleri (yüzer GES) konusuna yer vermiştim. Halihazırda Covid-19 salgını yaşadığımız günlerde salgınla ilgili arka arkaya 8 yazı kaleme almışım (buna 23 Nisan yazısı da dahil). Şimdi koronavirüs bağımsız ilk yazımı da yine yüzer GES’le ilgili bir yazı kaleme alacağım. Bu sefer ilk yazımda söz verdiğim gibi daha teknik bir yazı olacak. read more...

Hayatımda ilk ve tek kez Çin’e geçen sene haziran ayında gittim. Dünyanın en büyük güneş enerjisi fuarı SNEC her sene Şangay’da düzenleniyor. Ucu bucağı olmayan bu fuarda dünyanın her yerinden güneş enerjisi sektör paydaşları bir araya geliyorlar. Bu seyahatime de değineceğim bu haftaki yazımda, insanlık olarak Covid-19 salgınına dair yapmamız gereken iç muhasebelere yer vereceğim. read more...

“Virüsün öğrettikleri” başlıklı son blog yazımda 17 madde sıralamıştım. Bu öğretilerin sonuncusu da yeni dünya düzeniyle alakalıydı. Bundan sonra birçok şeyin eskisi gibi olmayacağını, bazı alışkanlıklarımızı, düzenimizi, yönetim şeklimizi hatta hayat modelimizi değiştirmek zorunda olduğumuzu belirtmiştim. Şimdi bu öngörülerimi detaylandırıyorum.   read more...

Türkiye’de yaşadığım için diğer ülkelerin finans sektörüyle ilgili bir iddiada bulunamam. Yalnız şunu net bir şekilde söyleyebilirim ki, Türk bankacıları hâlâ küresel bir salgın felaketi yaşadığımızın farkında değiller, ya da işlerine gelmediği için hayatımızı tam bir faciaya çeviren bu pandemiyi görmezden geliyorlar. Türkiye’de yaşadığım için diğer ülkelerin finans sektörüyle ilgili bir iddiada bulunamam. Yalnız şunu net bir şekilde söyleyebilirim ki, Türk bankacıları hâlâ küresel bir salgın felaketi yaşadığımızın farkında değiller, ya da işlerine gelmediği için hayatımızı tam bir faciaya çeviren bu pandemiyi görmezden geliyorlar. read more...

Geçen yazımı COVID-19 hastalığına yol açan koronavirüsün yayılma süreciyle ilgili gözlemlerime ve ciddiyetini hızla kavramamız gereken önlemlere ayırmıştım. Daha çok Türkiye odaklı olan bu ilk makalemin ardından bu yazımda konuyu küresel ölçekte ele alacağım ve bazı deneyimlerimi paylaşacağım. read more...

Çin’de başlayıp kısa sürede Avrupa’ya ve dünyanın dört bir yanına sıçrayan, yeni tip koronavirüsün yol açtığı COVID-19 salgını artık ülkemizde. Hayati önem taşıyan bu konudaki ilk yazımı virüsün yayılma süreciyle ilgili gözlemlerime ve ciddiyetini hızla kavramamız gereken önlemlere ayırıyorum. read more...

Whenever I take a break from writing my articles, believe me when I say, I am dealing with serious issues with hundreds of topics that I have sought to share with you. In the second half of the year we were about to leave behind, I had to take a mandatory break for such reasons. This will change in 2020. read more...

On June 2, I went to China for the first time in my life. It was a really interesting experience from my point of view. I will write two articles about China. In this first article, I will write about the speech I gave at SNEC, one of the largest solar energy events in the world. I will also talk about my experiences in Shanghai and some of my time spent at SNEC. read more...

Those who follow my blog posts know that I regularly answer questions about my business life or my views on different topics. This is the eight series of my “Frequently Asked Questions” section in which I answer your questions about the world I dream of, my speeches, my “Turkia ”name suggestion, the sustainability of TİDER and the dynamics of the renewable energy market. read more...

Fatih Kanberoğlu, who has contributed a lot to my sister in many ways, is one of my old friends and actually my new neighbor in Çekmeköy. He has also achieved great success with the Modafen Football Club, which he founded, as well as Modafen School, which provides versatile and modern education. By winning the group championship in the Regional Amateur League, they have now made their way to the path of the TFF 3rd League, in which I wish Modafen success in their elevation in the upcoming games. read more...

In a bid to bring the Niğde Bor project to life, our well-equipped team of experts have been working on this for a long time and with the ’super initiative’ that we received for our “100% Domestic Solar Panel for Energy Independence” project, we laid the foundations of our project with a groundbreaking ceremony which was accompanied by Our Ministry of Energy, the Niğde Deputy, the Niğde governor and other valuable public on the 11th of March, 2019. read more...

As my agenda is continually changing, I am receiving many new and different questions to answer in my “Frequently Asked Questions” series which gives me the impression that those who frequently follow my blog care to find out this information. The article you are about to read which is the 7th in the series will give an insight on my view of life, TIDER, nature, renewable energy, education projects, social entrepreneurship, food banking and my childhood dreams. read more...

I can’t remember where I heard it exactly, but for a long time, I’ve been embracing this expression with my immediate circle “even if you had $1 billion dollars, if you don’t have your health then that money has no value”. Infact to be a little more precise with the expression “health” represents the number 1 at the beginning of that $1 billion. Because without that 1, you are left with a series of zero. read more...

Arda Turan, the footballer who broke the nose of singer Berkay, was again on the agenda last week as he was alleged to have harassed Berkay’s wife. After his previous physical attack on journalist Bilal Mese on the plane, this time he has raised the bar with more adverse behavior which is purely a result of not taking the advice I had given him in my previous article I had written addressed to him. read more...

Last week I had written an article about racism. We are living in a time where humanity is degenerating. It seems the distress is never ending; grudges, hatred and violence have hit all new highs, we feel the pressures of climate change and as a result, natural disasters are increasing. In other words, us as humans are bringing the world to an unlivable state. read more...

In a world where racism and polarisation is unfortunately hugely increasing, whether it be of ethics or scientific facts, these types of expressions are showing signals of quite the opposite. I had touched on this topic lightly in last week’s world cup article and on the back of this, in this week’s article I will touch on and direct your attention to what kind of genetic forms people have depending on the effects of their geographical conditions. read more...

The FIFA World Cup drew to an end last weekend. For me, it was of much surprise that France became the champions. Because as much as France looked like the team with all the star players, they looked like they failed terribly when it came to team work. England also making it to the semi-finals was another surprise. Both teams were not playing great football from the very beginning. read more...

Everyone has a good and bad story. How this story is written is determined from a very young age. I had previously relayed my thoughts about the human lifestyle in my article titled “On Living” which I would like to continue in this piece and share with you, song lyrics written by an artist who went to the same high school as me, Nil Karaibrahimgil’s song “With Love to my Youth”.   read more...

Football, the world’s most popular sports tournament has commenced as the FIFA World Cup after another 4 years. Personally, I am looking forward to this festival for football lovers. In this week’s article, I will write about my thoughts about the cup and my predictions. I will also provide my memories from the previous World Cups. read more...

With a triumphant win, Ali Koç was chosen as the President of the Fenerbahce Football Club on Sunday, the 4th of June, which I believe is somewhat like a bed of nails. I wish him the very best of success in his new role. From an outsider point of view and for someone who can perceive things well, I’d like to give him a few pieces of advice. I hope this article is of great benefit to him and I wish him a very successful presidency period. read more...

In my last article, I had written about how the organisation was made by the Costa Rica Embassy on the 21st of March at the Cervantes Institute, and that Professor Roberto Fragomeno, Associate Professor and Director of the School of Philosophy, had made a speech titled “The political thoughts of Latin America”. In this week’s article, I would like to share with you the summary of the panel conversations and how we have applied these to our own region. read more...

In order to have a cleaner future in Turkey, as you all know, I have for many years had a dream to spread renewable energy and make it a pioneered entrepreneurial initiative. With the appropriate conditions emerging in 2012, we established EkoRe, and with its 100% local solar panels and its free from energy dependence vision, it gained a “Project Based Initiative’ worth $2.2billion last week read more...

The article that I wrote at the end of last year titled “new targets and hopes for a new year” (http://serhansuzer.com/en/new-targets-and-hopes-for-a-new-year) I shared our plans and goals for 2017. In the period we are now found, I wanted to shared what we successfully achieved and what we have planned for the near future, and that’s why I have to put pen to paper for the half yearly article.   read more...

I was preparing to write a half year article, but unfortunately I got news that we had lost Harun Kolçak. I’m still living the grief of this. I wanted to put pen to paper about our valuable artist who shone like a star in the last big Tider organised event. read more...

Upon getting some news that reminded me of the things I lived through, I wrote about my military training memories from the army. This week from the motherlands DNA view, I move onto the transition period from military training to mastery and stories from the army dormitory. And in my next piece, I will write about my memories from the Brigade Headquarters, the time of discharge and some recommendations regarding the army. read more...

Unfortunately, not a day passes in Turkey that we don’t hear about security issues, or upsetting news regarding the military. For example, just recently some soldiers were food poisoned and when I read this, I remembered the things I experienced in the past and felt empathy for them. Therefore, this week, I wanted to share some memories of my 8 month military service, which I completed from the end of 2000 to July 2001. read more...

Everyone has a favourite holiday spot of relaxation in Turkey. And my most favourite place that I enjoy, that I can unwind and re-energise is Gökçeada. The difference between this island and other islands in Turkey is that the nature here is unbelievable. The island has its own water. It has wide plant bases and amazing beaches. It’s a ‘kitesurf’ heaven and is an island where animals can roam free. read more...

The first two ‘Frequently Asked Questions’, which I published last year have recently had a new set of questions answered, which I added to the series just last month. This week, I have began the fourth in the series, answering questions like which team I support, my thoughts on world leaders, renewable energy entrepreneurship to food banking questions, which I have again answered below.  read more...

Last week I shared with you my role as the Costa Rica Honorary Consulate and whether ‘I’d stay or go’ and stressed that I won’t ever cut ties with this country that has blended well with the ‘Pura Vida’ culture. This week, this enthusiastic, peaceful and positive culture was represented by one of its most important artists, Jose Sancho, who came and met with our country’s art lovers, which I’d like to share with you. read more...

After nine years of duties at the Honorary Consulate of Costa Rica, I was considering leaving that post this coming year.  However, a meeting about two weeks ago with Foreign Minister Manuel A. González Sanz has led me to reconsider. The foreign minister and his undersecretary honored me with their words. In line with the quintessentially Costa Rican philosophy of ‘Pura Vida,’ a frame of mind that I have internalized while representing that country, I’ve revisited the question of whether to continue as honorary consul. read more...

Leaving my house in Nişantasi, where I lived for 10 years, to set sail for broader horizons and move near our office building in Cekmekoy (Tasdelen), to a house located inside a forest; and the adventure and sadness this bought, along with the traditional Hidirellez celebrations effectively left their mark. read more...

I didn’t go to the home match against Fenerbahçe the other day even though I was in Istanbul and I try not to miss the matches played in our stadium.  We have a box, so finding a seat is not an issue. My not bothering to attend a match against arch rival Fenerbahçe means there’s a problem. read more...

Another Adim Adim campaign results have been finalised. Whilst we were happy with the result, everyone went beyond their responsibility and efforts for this campaign. In this piece, I want to touch on the heroes who with their efforts made a great contribution. read more...

This has been a busy time, so hectic I didn’t have a chance to sit down and write until Sunday, and that was while jet-lagged. I’d like to share my memories of the Runatolia run held in Antalya two weeks ago. We, the Tider team, joined the colorful event this year to help fund the new Support Market being opened in Bağcılar and in memory of our good friend, Murat Bakan. read more...

At the Runatolia Marathon held in Antalya on Monday, March 5th, we will be running for our second Support Market, which is set to open in the Istanbul district of Bağcılar. I was in the middle of writing a post about the contributions I’m asking from all of you for the Support Market --which will supply basic needs such as food, cleaning products and clothing for hundreds of thousands of people, along with offering them job placement and vocational training  -- when I received some wonderful news that honors the efforts we have made so far: Global Foodbanking Network has seIected Tider as a finalist for their grand prize, which is recognition that our unique model is an example for other foodbanks. read more...

Before traveling to Singapore, I couldn’t really picture the kind of place that awaited me. I’d heard a lot of stories about the country, some good, some bad. Heading there on business after a great vacation in Thailand, I had a raft of questions running through my mind. And I was to find a raft of favorable answers, particularly in terms of business environment and culture. read more...

As you know, I spent some time over the New Year in the Far East, visiting Phuket, Bangkok and Singapore. And in my first blog about the trip last week, I shared my impressions of Phuket. This week I plan to write about the Thai capital, Bangkok, the second leg of my travels. read more...

Although it was not among my business objectives, I was impelled to take over, rather than abandon, the contact center I had founded years earlier. That decision was made following a period during which I had begun to form a new “ecosystem” in my professional life. Despite some unexpected crises, we decided to take the company under our wing and support it. After last month’s merger, the contact center, EkoCC, has been transformed into a giant serving a record number of brands. This week I will share the cautionary tale of this roller coaster of a process.  read more...

I spent New Year’s Eve in Phuket, Thailand, where I attended a “White Night” party. As we were having a pre-party dressed in all white, the conversation turned to cultural differences. I was astonished when my friends acquainted with Far Eastern culture pointed out that the color white, which represents purity and beauty in Western culture, symbolizes death in the Far East and is the color worn at funerals. When I was asked about the place the color white holds in Turkish culture, I said that it was the same as in the West, and a color I would never associate with death. In Turkey, too, mourners wear black or dark colors. read more...

We have recently left behind an eventful year marked by much sadness for our society, but a year in which we have also enjoyed some great successes as we forged ahead despite the uncertain business climate.  In this, the last post of 2016, I would like to evaluate our achievements over the past year and list our targets for 2017. read more...

Everyone knows that doing sports improves health. But the reasons for that are more complex and far-reaching than they appear. Sport also contributes to one’s overall quality of life and general sense of wellbeing. Right now, as I approach a level of fitness I haven’t enjoyed since my youth, I’d like to share my own observations and conclusions on this subject. read more...

The recent terrorist attack outside a football stadium in Istanbul once again highlighted the horrific contrast between two very different groups: the people working with all their might to hand on a more livable world to future generations, which was the original subject of this post, and the monsters who mercilessly plan massacres to further their dark interests. We will never allow the second group to win this battle.  read more...

Last Sunday we got to run as a team in the Istanbul Marathon. As you’ll know, this was part of our campaign for the new Support Market we plan to open with your support in Bağcılar-Esenler, a district home to some 100,000 people in need. So here are a few of the many memorable moments we members and supporters of TİDER (the Basic Needs Association) enjoyed during the run... read more...

The countdown has finally begun for the Istanbul Marathon, which will be run this year on November 13th. It promises to be a high-energy event with some taking part for fun, some purely for the sport and fitness side, and others, like the TİDER (Basic Needs Association) team, as part of a campaign. But the reasons don’t just stop there. As a regular at this international event, I’m giving you 10 good reasons to run the marathon in my blog this week.   read more...

In this week’s post, I’m writing about the exciting aspects of and examining the framework of the upcoming YEKA tender, which has caught the attention of the Global Renewable Energy Markets. I’d also like to point out that we at EkoRE are not only strong contenders for the tender, but are also ready to support with our expertise all relevant companies and organizations.  read more...

EkoRE existed as an exciting idea for some ten years before conditions allowed the founding of the company, whereupon we quickly made great strides based on knowledge, technology, teamwork and determination to become a company that today is young but still capable of undertaking major renewable energy projects. I would like to share with the you the story of our company, which is well on its way to achieving our goal of becoming a global brand.  read more...

This week I’m finally able to share some important information as well as my impressions of the historical ceremony held at the New York headquarters of the United Nations on April 22.  The past weeks and months have been so eventful that this final instalment in the series was postponed. I’ll begin by sharing links to the other articles in the series.   read more...

Years ago, a friend pointed out the difference between two Turkish words for “woman”: bayan and kadın.  While I feel it’s not entirely helpful to get hung up on terminology, I do know that women still have a long way to go in achieving full equality, from sports and business to family life. This week I’d like to share with you my take on “women’s equality,” including some of my personal experiences and the concrete steps I have taken to contribute to the cause. read more...

I wrote last week about how I was accepted at McGill University and the major impact my experiences there have had on the rest of my life (http://serhansuzer.com/en/broadening-my-horizons-at-mcgill- ) This week I’d like to share a more detailed account of Montreal and its social life – much of which takes place underground – as well as a brief list of alumni from my university who have made their mark in the world. read more...

Last week I attended an event in Istanbul organized by my alma mater, McGill University. I found myself journeying down memory lane as so many meaningful memories from that important time in my life were rekindled.  This week I wanted to share with you some of my experiences while at university, the place those years hold in my life and the effect they have on me still. read more...

It has been an intense news cycle. Before the attack on Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport and the attempted coup, people were making frequent comparisons between the attractions of the Greek Islands and of Çeşme/Bodrum, in Turkey. The Aegean region hit the news again when the hotel the President was holidaying at was raided and some of the soldiers responsible fled to Greece. “Will they be extradited, or not?” was the question everyone was asking. This week I’d like to share some of my observations and experiences concerning the paradisiacal Aegean region and neighboring Greece. read more...

We’ve entered yet another week beginning on the 11th of July. I began my business life 15 years ago on this date, a milestone about which I’d like to share my experiences, along with my views concerning the future. read more...

Our country’s unsuccessful run in the 2016 European Football Championship has caused me once again to think about the underlying ego issues behind this poor performance. I’ve always observed that from football to academia, and from the business world to daily life, displays of an inflated ego are at odds with true strength. In this week’s piece, I present situations I have experienced to prove my point. read more...

After many years proudly serving as the honorary consulate of Costa Rica in Istanbul, I am planning to relinquish my duties. It’s hard to believe, but it has been 8 years since I was appointed. Don’t worry, I’m not leaving right away. I’ll be at my post for another two years and there are additional goals I intend to achieve. I previously shared a series of posts in which I shared with you what I have done so far as Honorary Consul of Costa Rica, links to which can be found below. Now I’d like to relate some positive developments from this past year and my plans for the future. read more...

Last week, after having been at the United Nations in April for the Paris Agreement signatory ceremony, I was there once again, this time to give a talk. “Transitioning to Sustainable Energy without leaving anyone in the world behind” was the subject of my presentation at the “Agora” event.  My experiences leading up to the event, the exchanges during my presentation and the conversations afterwards made for an enjoyable time in New York. read more...

The moment I learned last week of the death of Muhammed Ali, I started to remember all of the things that had drawn me to the legendary boxer over the years: his sportsmanship, which made a lasting mark on the history of boxing and of mankind, his activism and his immortal sayings. read more...

I have already shared in recent weeks my first impressions of being a guest of the United Nations at the signing ceremony for the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, (http://www.serhansuzer.com/2016/05/07/birlesmis-milletlerde-tarihe-taniklik-etmek-1/), recounting what it was like to enter the UN building and take my place on the balcony. Now it’s time for the second installment of a series of posts on what I believe is a critical subject… read more...

In Turkish, there is a sarcastic expression used in reference to the disloyal: “For most people, Vefa is just the name of a neighborhood.” This expression plays on the word “vefa,” which means “loyal” and “true,” but also happens to be the name of an Istanbul neighborhood. The targets of this expression care about nobody but themselves and are selfish. There are many people, of course, who lead lives of constancy and loyalty. They find ways to show their appreciation to those who have valued them, helped them to feel better and provided them with some form of support. read more...

In line with my preference for keeping my blog topical and with an eye to current events and recent happenings, I’ve decided to write about Beşiktaş’ championship win this week. I plan to write the second installment of my piece on the United Nations next week. read more...

I had planned to share with you this week the second part of my United Nations series. However, after we suddenly losing my grandmother last Sunday I decided to devote this week’s post to the deplorable shortcomings of the healthcare system during her brief illness. read more...

I was honored to be a guest of the United Nations and a witness at the Paris Agreement Signature Ceremony, an event world leaders attended on April 22 in New York and one that will have historical consequences for the future of our planet. I will share my impressions in four instalments, the first of which is an account of my experiences prior to the signature ceremony. read more...

I had intended to share with you this week my impressions of the Paris Climate Treaty signing ceremony I attended as a guest of the United Nations. However, having decided I needed more time to write a detailed account of that ceremony and because the incredible Eurocup championship was recently won by Galatasaray in the meantime, I have decided to devote this week’s post to emphasizing the lessons we can learn from this sporting achievement. read more...

In my previous post I wrote that the visit to Turkey in November of 2009 of the Costa Rican President represented a turning point in relations, emphasizing that it fostered progress both between our governments as well as in economic and cultural terms, and that it was also the first official visit to the Republic of Turkey by the president of a Central American head of state. Now, I will write of the continued progress that made from that date until 2015. read more...

A country whose natural wonders, social equality and renewable energy policies are extraordinary, and whose people, from the head of state to the man of the street, are sensitive to the importance of the environment, peace and education… Having written earlier of how I became the honorary consul of Costa Rica, I would now like to share with you the process through which Costa Rica and Turkey reached a turning point in their relations. read more...

In my previous post, I wrote that only education can solve the problems currently plaguing Turkish sports, pointing out that we need to take a more serious approach not only to the education of our youth but to their parents and educators, and adding that I was striving to do everything in my power in this regard. read more...

The general disquiet and the unfortunate incidents on the pitch that have been increasingly plaguing Turkish football in recent times once again remind us all of the saying made famous by Atatürk, and they have inspired me to write another post on “sportsmanship” following an enjoyable time I had last weekend participating in a run in Antalya. read more...

In my previous post I mentioned that I had begun an undertaking that would make my grandfather truly happy: an agricultural development project that has given me great satisfaction. It all began last April with a trip to Niğde exploring added value production. read more...

I talked about my grandmother in my previous post and promised to write about my grandfather in this, the next one. Last November I gathered with family and friends to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Grandad Hasan’s death, and I’d like to share some of those memories with you.​ read more...

Today’s sports culture has failed to fully embrace “sportsmanship,” an ethos synonymous with fair play and moral fiber… Why, in Turkey, have we emphasized only the “sport” part of the word “sportsmanship?” Below, I outline a few recent thought-provoking events, some tragic and some inspiring hope, and I propose some possible solutions… read more...

It is often said that arbitrary rules are there to be broken. However, some rules have been refined over the years for a reason, and following them can mean the difference between life and death. The failure to do so makes disasters like the one outlined in this article unavoidable.  read more...

In this, the first of a series of short essays covering each year of a post that I have been honored and pleased to hold since 2008, I would like to begin with how I became Honorary Consul and how we set things up. As you can see in the accompanying videos, we got off with a bang. read more...

The “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge” has swept the world, with videos taken all across Turkey also going viral in Turkish social media.​ read more...

In this, my second post outlining experiences unique to twins, I remember a “hard-hitting” adventure Baran and I had in the last grade of middle school, as well as its repercussions and its lessons.​ read more...

Have you ever known what it is to live as a twin? I spent a great deal of my life sharing the same things with my brother. We have some wonderful memories… In this post you’ll find my reflections on what is different about being raised as a twin and how these differences enrich us.​ read more...

By toppling two mighty teams Costa Rico guaranteed first place in their World Cup group. But what is the secret behind Costa Rica’s stunning performance? And why have none of their successful footballers played in any of the Turkish leagues? read more...

I spent a wonderful weekend combining sport and holiday at Runtalya, an event in Antalya that has become Turkey’s second biggest city run and that brings together a diverse group of sports lovers, from top marathoners and pint-sized sprinters, to philanthropists and nongovernmental organizations.​ read more...

Many of my readers have been asking why I haven’t written anything for a long time. They are right, because I haven’t written for over a month now. One of the reasons of this was that the companies I’m in charge of were restructuring themselves. What the phrase “hardly having time to breathe” means should certainly be something like this.​ read more...

It was 2007, if I remember correctly, when I first went to Cartagena. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity when my father asked: “I’m going to Colombia for the New Year holiday, come with me if you want to.” It was the first time I heard the name of the summer city Cartagena of Colombia, the country I was really curious about. read more...

Last Tuesday, while I was on the Los Angeles flight, I felt like writing about something I wanted to say for a long time. Our subject is Galatasaray.​ read more...

In this article, I want to talk about Argentina which I visited two years ago during Christmas vacation. My eyes kept wondering over the map as I was planning my vacation. I had been to Brasil and Colombia. As I was thinking about which country I could visit in South America, I decided that Argentina was the place I decided to see and started making my travel plans.​ read more...

In the last couple of days, I’m jokingly telling my friends: “We’ve come halfway down the road.” There’s a famous poem that everyone in Turkey knows, called “Age 35.”​ read more...

Adrenaline (epinephrine) is a hormone that is secreted by the inner parts of the adrenal glands. In nature, the role of this hormone is to prepare the organism for urgent action. You can see its effect in the pulse, the dispatch of blood to the muscles from the internal organs and the skin, the change of glycogen in the liver into glucose and therefore the creation of an emergent energy source.​ read more...

Everyone is curious about the future of automobiles and the transportation vehicles. There’s always a discussion about it. The design cars of the future are exhibited in fairs or in the media and they are shared with those who are curious.​ read more...

It took billions of years for the Earth to be formed and to have such a perfect ecological balance so that organisms are able to live on it.​ read more...

In my mind, I have many issues related to each other which I want to share with you. Both energy and environment are huge topics.​ read more...

I have very distinct memories about Ms. Ülkü in my mind. First of all, I’m very sorry to lose someone I love and respect. Life is like this.​ read more...

After experiencing several incidents on the day I came to Las Vegas from Reno, between my business trips, I decided to write an article on the Olympics.​ read more...

Frankly speaking, I thought a lot whether if I should write this article or not, but when I experienced five-six serious events one after the other, writing became a must.​ read more...

Last week on Sunday, I had just returned from Austria. I got off the plane, went home, took a shower and while I was getting ready for dinner, the Spain-Italy football match of the European Championship caught my eye on TV.​ read more...

Last month, Istanbul hosted a very important championship once again. The Final Four (a quadruple final or exactly semifinals and finals played together) of Euroleague, which can be defined as the peak of basketball in Europe, took place in Istanbul.​ read more...

Last weekend, two of my university friends came to Istanbul and we had a pleasant time together. As of this month, it’s been 13 years (yes, time flies) since I graduated from McGill University.​ read more...

On the weekend, I was at Dalyan to have a peace of mind. If they asked me “Which places would you count as heaven on earth?”, I would definitely count Dalyan.​ read more...

At the end of a rather busy week, I was cleaning my mailbox and arranging my weekly schedule as a routine Sunday work in the hotel room I was staying in America. In the meantime, I was watching the interviews at the 84th Oscar Academy Awards Ceremony, which was about to begin. Right at that moment, an e-mail caught my eye.​ read more...

On October 23, 2011 our country was shocked with news of another big earthquake. Frankly speaking, what happened after this earthquake in Van didn’t surprise me at all. Our generation’s first encounter with big earthquakes was the Gölcük earthquake in 1999. I was staying at my aunt’s on the day of the earthquake.​ read more...