TEDx Istanbul Gelisim University – “Sustainability” Event Held at IGU

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) hosted the first-ever TEDx Istanbul Gelisim University – Sustainability event this year, bringing together inspiring ideas and speakers who help shape the future. Held at the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Conference Hall, the event welcomed experts from various disciplines, offering a multifaceted perspective on sustainability. The main organizer of the event was Assoc. Prof. Başak Özarslan, with Asst. Prof. Can Burak Nalbantoğlu serving as moderator and Asst. Prof. Özlem Tuğçe Keleş as co-organizer. IGU Vice Rector Prof. Arda Öztürkcan and Havva Olçum contributed to the strategic planning process of the event. The academic and operational team included Assoc. Prof. Ayşe Meriç Yazıcı, Asst. Prof. Tuğba Kantarcı, Research Assistant Zehra Makar, and Research Assistant Orcan Çetinkaya. Prepared by a broad and coordinated team, the event attracted significant interest with its inspiring talks, sustainability focus, and rich content.

“Ideas Grow When Shared” Took the Stage

The program continued with an inspiring lineup of five prominent speakers.
Asiye Bahar Tabanlı, known for her social enterprise “Turkishe_network,” which she founded to empower young women, delivered a talk titled “From Inspiration to Impact.” She emphasized that social transformation is possible through a culture of sisterhood and solidarity. Tabanlı highlighted that social sustainability goes beyond environmental policies, gaining strength through equal opportunities, supportive communities, and the pursuit of the common good.
Asst. Prof. Ahmet Aydemir, recognized for his multidisciplinary academic background in psychology, sociology, business, and sustainability, spoke under the title “Sustain-Us-Ability.” He explained that sustainability is not only an environmental issue but also a human and organizational one. Discussing missed opportunities throughout history, Aydemir emphasized that “there is still hope,” drawing attention to collective responsibility for a sustainable future.
Prof. Levent Kurnaz, internationally known for his work on climate change, evaluated the current impacts of the climate crisis in his talk titled “Should We Be Worried?” Referencing scientific data, Kurnaz explained how environmental changes affect social life and raised awareness about future risks and possible solutions.
Writer, screenwriter, and curator İzzeddin Çalışlar, in his talk “Sustainable Narrative Placements,” explored the transformation of storytelling in the digital age. He discussed the importance of sustainable narrative production and ways to create effective, long-lasting content with a minimal digital footprint.
Ufuk Emin Akengin, founder of the Onaranlar Club, took the stage with his talk “Repair, Create, Share,” focusing on production culture, upcycling, and the connection individuals build with their cities. Akengin emphasized that repairing is not only a physical act but also a mental and social process.

Networking in the Foyer Area

Following the talks, the program concluded with a closing moderation session. Participants, speakers, and the TEDx community continued exchanging ideas during a one-hour networking session held in the foyer.
The TEDx Istanbul Gelisim University – Sustainability event provided participants with a rich experience from both academic and social perspectives, once again highlighting IGU’s sustainability-oriented vision. By bringing together ideas from various disciplines under one roof, the event created a broad sphere of impact.