The I. Term of the KAMP+ Blue Homeland Camp, organized in cooperation with DEHUKAM and the Ministry of Youth and Sports General Directorate of Youth Services, was successfully held at the Bursa Karacaali Youth Camp between April 14-18.
Within the scope of the program, which aims to raise awareness among youth about Türkiye’s maritime rights, maritime policies, and the Blue Homeland vision, comprehensive training was provided on topics such as maritime diplomacy, maritime jurisdiction areas, the blue economy, and current regional developments. During the camp, information regarding DEHUKAM’s ongoing projects and Türkiye’s Maritime Spatial Planning activities was also shared with the participants.
As part of the program, the following presentations were delivered: “What is the Blue Homeland?” by DEHUKAM Senior Researcher Prof. Dr. Levent Bilgili; “Turkish Straits” by Piri Reis University Faculty Member Dr. Sevda Keskin; “Maritime Jurisdiction Areas” by MSÜ Research Assistant Şahin Ersan; “Blue Economy” by DEHUKAM Senior Researcher Dr. Hakan Koçak; and “Activities of the Naval Forces Command in the Blue Homeland” by Navy Lieutenant Maide Nur Alkan. Furthermore, Nadir Uslu, an expert from the General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, presented evaluations on the current status of sustainable aquaculture in Türkiye and its place within the blue economy, while Dr. Ercan Erdem gave a presentation titled “Current Status of Fishing Activities in the Blue Homeland.” Hıdır İlyas Karabıyık from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, delivered a presentation on the “Development of the Turkish Merchant Fleet in the Blue Homeland.”
In addition to the educational program, the camp offered a multi-faceted experience supported by boat tours, social activities, and workshops. In this context, the youth had the opportunity to both acquire academic knowledge and engage in social interaction.
The program concluded with a certificate ceremony. Certificates were presented to the participants by Dr. Enes Efendioğlu, General Director of Youth Services of the Ministry of Youth and Sports; Dr. Adnan Menderes Aydın, Deputy Director of DEHUKAM; Rahmi Aksoy, Bursa Provincial Director of Youth and Sports; and Mürsel Kaya, Bursa Youth Services Manager.
