The first stage of the social responsibility project titled “Equal World for All: Overcoming Obstacles Together” organized by Istanbul Gelişim University (IGU), Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA) has been completed.
The first stage of the social responsibility project titled “Equal World for All: Overcoming Obstacles Together”, in which Res. Asst. Ayşe Seray Engin from the Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Department of Istanbul Gelişim University (IGU), Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), and Res. Asst. Merve Karadaban and Res. Asst. Ezginaz Kara from the Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Department took part as executives, was realized on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
In the first stage of the project, the project team visited the “Down Cafe” located in the Şişli district and where individuals with down syndrome, one of the disadvantaged groups in society, work. The project team, who established one-on-one communication with individuals with Down syndrome working here, had the opportunity to meet with authorities about how this café came to life and what it does. In the second stage, the project team will visit the “Dialogue Museum” to raise awareness about the visually impaired, another disadvantaged group in society. In the third stage, an exhibition will be created from the photographs taken during both visits by the project team.
In line with the main purpose of the project, it is aimed to raise awareness about the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and visually impaired, who constitute disadvantaged segments of society, and to strengthen the sense of social responsibility. The project aims to ensure that the talents and contributions of individuals with Down syndrome are appreciated by observing their working environments, and to develop empathy by experiencing the experiences of visually impaired individuals firsthand. As a result of these interactions, both the participants, the students who see the exhibition, and the society in general will gain a more conscious perspective on accepting differences and accepting these individuals as active members of society. The photo corner that will be exhibited at the end of the project will contribute to taking an important step towards building an inclusive society by aiming to convey this awareness process to a wide audience.
We would like to thank our research assistants who participated in the project.
