CALL FROM EGET FOUNDATION AND TED UNIVERSITY: THERE ARE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE FOR A LIFE AT PEACE WITH NATURE

► TED University and EGET Foundation organized a training camp for young people titled Life with Nature Academy.

Call from EGET Foundation and TED University: There are steps you can take to live in harmony with nature

SEDA GOK

TED University, which is brought to higher education by the Turkish Education Association (TED), one of the leading non-governmental organizations in the field of education in Turkey, and the Muğla-based EGET (Education Geriatrics Ecological Agriculture Tourism) Foundation, which carries out its activities to provide scholarships to low-income students, organized the Life with Nature Academy to inform young people about sustainable living.
The camp, which was organized at TOVAK International Marmaris Academy’s facility in Marmaris/Turunç with the participation of TED University scientists, EGET’s expert staff and university students affected by the earthquake and university students receiving scholarships from EGET, was completed in July. In the camp, scientific and practical trainings and workshops focused on environmental and sustainable living were organized.

The theoretical courses designed by EGET Foundation trainers and TED University English Language and Literature Department faculty members provided participants with social, artistic and economic knowledge about sustainable living. In the workshops led by EGET Foundation trainers, they gained practical knowledge and experience on sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in their daily lives. The camp also included performing arts practices, film screenings, excursions to ruins, music concerts and boat trips.

Commenting on the camp, Ms. Özlem Uzman, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of EGET Foundation, stated that a qualified educational activity was created with an interdisciplinary approach:

“The program, which we have been working on with a large team for a long time, addresses sustainability with a rich content. The Life with Nature Academy is a harmonious blend of the innovative and pioneering perspective of the EGET Foundation and the environmentally friendly, young and dynamic structure of the English Language and Literature Department of TED University. We are very happy with the intense interest of the students in the program, which we organized for the first time this year, and the success of the program as a result of its rich content with competent instructors.
During the week, students received intensive theoretical and practical training and had the opportunity to spend pleasant hours in nature. We believe that such programs should become more widespread in order to raise awareness of young people about sustainability, and we are taking initiatives to continue the Life with Nature Academy in the future and take it to an international level.”

Assoc. Dr. Taner Can: Nature should not be a landscape reflected on cell phones

TED University Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taner Can also underlined that an innovative education is provided and emphasized the following:

“We believe that this innovative educational initiative provides an important experience for a greener and more sustainable future and we think that the number of such educational programs should be increased to effectively combat environmental problems. As a good example of university-foundation cooperation, the Life with Nature Academy places nature at the center of learning through experience, rather than a landscape reflected on a mobile phone camera. My greatest wish is to continue the training program, the first of which was organized this year.”

Living in harmony with nature is possible: Here are some tips

In addition to social activities, the Life with Nature Academy provided trainings on topics such as sustainability, environmental theories in literature, recognizing and tasting olive oil, environmental political economy, tips for environmentally friendly living, compost, worm fertilizer, balcony gardening, and the importance of civil society in environmental protection.

Beyond theoretical knowledge and activities, young people learned what they can do to make their daily lives more environmentally sustainable. Here are some tips that everyone can apply:

– Get rid of mosquitoes, the nightmare of summer, with natural oils without using chemical poisons:

In 250 ml of water, you can prepare a natural mosquito repellent spray by adding ten drops each of eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender oil and glycerin, shaking and putting it in a spray bottle. Moreover, this way you can avoid the harmful effects of chemicals.

– Organic waste is not garbage, you can compost it and make your flowers healthier without chemical fertilizers:

Vegetables, fruits, etc. you can make fertilizer from organic waste. Let the so-called “green leaves” – vegetables and fruits, grass and eggshells, coffee waste and “brown waste” – dried leaves, pieces of paper, bark from trees and nuts, stacked on top of each other in a suitable container, add a little soil and let them decompose, aerating and moistening them from time to time. That’s all. This rich mixture is the natural fertilizer your flowers need. Thus, you will not use chemical fertilizers and nutrients.

– Segregate waste at source:

Domestic waste unfortunately ends up in landfills. Uncontrolled and wild garbage storage is still practiced in a significant number of settlements in our country. However, if you separate your household waste, you will contribute to much less waste going to landfill. In theory, over 90 percent of the waste going to landfills is actually recyclable material that should not be thrown away.

– Discover the power of stories:

Literature has the extraordinary power to introduce readers to different worlds, perspectives and experiences. Read works of literature that vividly depict the beauty of nature, the delicate balance of ecosystems or the destructive consequences of human actions. These compelling narratives foster a deeper emotional connection and empathy with the natural world and inspire a desire for positive change.

– Explore ecocritical perspectives:

Ecocriticism is a critical theory that examines the relationship between literature and the environment. It allows us to critically evaluate how writers represent ecological issues in their works. If you want to understand how literature reflects and shapes the natural world, you should study the theory of ecocriticism.

– Promote dialogue and community engagement:

Literature has the power to initiate dialog and move individuals to action. It acts as a catalyst for participation in discussions on environmental issues. Organize book clubs and reading communities around works of literature that address environmental issues. Encourage participants to share their thoughts, concerns and sustainable solutions. By promoting dialogue and community engagement, you can enable individuals to better understand environmental issues and collaborate to support a greener future.

– How do you recognize a good olive oil?

Good olive oil is essential for good health. It not only contributes to health but also enriches meals with its flavor. So, how do you recognize a good olive oil? A tasting training was also organized at the camp. You can also recognize a good olive oil by its smell. When you smell olive oil, when it is green, try to detect the fruitiness of processed olives and the smell of freshly cut grass.