GRF Communities New Years Meetup
December 25, 2023
On December 25, 2023, GRF Communities members came together with GRF Board of Directors Members for a cocktail prolongée at GRF’s offices. Bringing together both old and recent alumni of GRF’s Community programs to celebrate the new year, GRF President Ambassador (R) Selim Yenel, GRF Chairwoman Zeynep Bodur Okyay, and GRF Vice-Chairwoman Prof. Füsun Türkmen, addressed guests with introductory speeches.
Who Are the GRF Communities Members?
Participants who have successfully completed any one of GRF’s Community programs earn the privilege of becoming a member of GRF Communities, and become a permanent part of GRF’s network.
The first of these programs is the Young Fellows Program. Originally conceived in 2010 under the name GRF Young Scholars, this program is aimed at undergraduate students studying at the leading universities in Turkey and abroad. The program is open to students of all theoretical backgrounds, and aims to bring them together to discuss important topics related to international relations freely and in a rational, constructive manner. With nearly 200 graduates, this program forms the bulk of GRF Communities.
Started in 2014, the Young Professionals Program is aimed at accomplished working professionals of all fields who are no older than 38, and have had at least 4 years of work experience. This program was started owing to our desire include young decision-makers into GRF’s works, as well as to become an organization that can cultivate future talent and provide intellectual contributions within public and and private decision-making structures.
The Young Academics Program was started that same year for doctoral students and postdoctoral young academics. Unlike the other programs, the Young Academics Program’s structure revolves around the commissioning and publishing of an academic paper, and greatly enhances the topic and contributor variety of GRF’s publications. As GRF’s most prolific publication mechanism, the program brings together the knowledge of GRF members and the expertise of young academics into comprehensive academic publications.