Hey Girl Magazine Interview

August 2003

Nazire Dedeman
Founder President of Umut Foundation

When was Umut Foundation established and for what reason?
Umut Foundation was established in 1993 to contribute to raising our youth, who are the guarantee of the future, as individuals who live away from arms and violence, can solve their problems and conflicts thorugh non-violent means, can create peaceful environments, believe in rule of law and have a developed sense of justice and are good citizens.

Can you inform us about the Foundation’s activities and members? What are the requirements to be a volunteer or a member?
The Foundation organizes awarded competitions with the topic of Individual Disarmament in different fields such as sculpture, photography, news, caricature and short film every year traditionaly in line with its objectives.  İt provides trainers trainings and publishes academic works. İt tries to raise awareness within the public about this issue through activities and projects it carries out during the year and on 28 September Individual Disarmament day every year. Many volunteers support us by taking up duty in these activities. According to trust indenture that our Foundation depends on, the Foundation cannot accept a member. However, it accepts volunteers. Umut Foundation consists of Trustee Committe, Board of directors, execution office and volunteers. Young friends who want to work as a volunteer can reach us via e-mail to vakif@umut.org.tr or from telephone number of 0212 275 76 00 (5706-5708 internal) and can take part in our activities.

For how long is there Individual Disarmament day? 
Umut Foundation organizes activities on individual disarmament every year on 28 September since its establishment. However, 28 September Individual Disarmament Day was nationally announced in 2001. 28 September Individual Disarmament Day is organised every year by Umut Foundation as the repetition of protest demonstrations of those who lost their loved ones with a gun, which was carried out in front of the building where Firearms Conference held on 18 July 2001 in New York by United Nations. Theer are different activities carried out on this day.

What will Individual Disarmament Day activities be this year?
This year, we will organize March of silence shoes activity again on 28 September. Individual Disarmament: Give Chance to Life’ 1 minute Animation Film Competition will be carried out on 28 September Individual Disarmament Day this year, as every year. 

What are your recommendations for the section of what can you do? What can people do as volunteers for the Foundation?
Our most important support demand from the young friends is that they inform everbody around them about this important problem. It is because Turkey is a country that is a pathriarchial and where violence is insidiously infused to customs and usage.  This country’s people celebrate their sorrow, joy with firing bullets, while Boys are awarded with guns with gold/silver hilt when they undergo circumstition. Turkish people’s understanding of honour and dignity and life pholosophy is locked on the trangle of horse-wife-gun. On the other hand, conflicts can be solved through dialogue and soeaking, while communication means are so developed in 21st century. Our youth should know that violence can never be a solution, tolerance and consious, effective and open communication can be a very effective means for conflict resolution. This is our most desired wish; all our objective and efforts are in this direction.
On the other hand, young friends with this counsious can support us by informing us about violence incidents that draw attention, taking part in our activities, announcing our efforts around them and being sensitive to the issue. They can acces more information about Umut Foundation on www.umut.org.tr