3rd International 3D Festival: Bridging youth and decision-makers

Kürşat Altan Bağlarbaşı

In collaboration with the Eskişehir European Union Association and the Odunpazarı Municipality, the 3rd International 3D (Listening, Dialogue, Solidarity) Festival occurred from May 17th to 19th at Kanlıkavak Park. The festival offered young attendees the chance to gather information from various associations and organizations via booths at the event. Participants also discussed with guest speakers and exchanged ideas in designated tents.

A diverse range of civil society organizations and associations participated, providing diverse information and creating a dynamic atmosphere. The tents facilitated discussions between young people, local officials, and guests, allowing the youth to express their concerns and aspirations freely.

The festival saw participation from political parties, civil society organizations, unions, chambers of commerce and industry, and local media outlets. The mayors of Eskişehir’s three municipalities attended the opening ceremony. Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce, Odunpazarı Municipality Mayor Kazım Kurt, and Tepebaşı Municipality Mayor Ahmet Ataç delivered speeches to mark the opening.

Following the speeches, the mayors moved to a tent to listen to the young attendees, who could ask questions directly. The seating arrangement ensured an equal footing for all, fostering an intimate and approachable environment. The session, titled “Young People Meet the Mayors,” highlighted accountability, enabling the youth to question the mayors directly. With local elections having taken place two months prior, this platform allowed the youth to remind the mayors of their campaign promises and inquire about implementation plans and timelines.

Doç. Dr. Erhan Akdemir, President of the Eskişehir European Union Association, noted that the 3D Youth Festival was organized through public and civil society collaboration. He emphasized that the festival aimed to create a genuine connection between decision-makers and young people, allowing the youth to communicate their political, economic, and personal issues directly to those in power. Dr. Akdemir stressed that the primary issue in the country is not a lack of ideas but rather the inability to listen to each other. He criticized the tendency to segregate individuals by rank, position, and status, which impedes effective communication and decision-making. By promoting dialogue among attentive listeners, solutions can be reached more efficiently. He concluded that the festival’s main goal was to provide a platform for direct engagement between young people and their local leaders.