Our University Took Part in the “Road to COP31: Climate and Youth Workshop”

Our University participated in the “Road to COP31: Climate and Youth Workshop,” organized by the Marmara University Center for Civil Society Studies. The University was represented by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Öykü İyigün, the Directorate of Strategy Development and Quality Assurance Systems, a student serving as a climate youth representative, and students involved in sustainability initiatives, contributing to discussions on sustainability and climate policy.

Held at the Faculty of Economics of Marmara University’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Campus, the workshop focused on climate change, youth engagement in sustainability processes, and preparations for COP31.

Throughout the program, sessions highlighted the future of climate policy and the importance of active youth participation in these processes. In the panel titled “COP Processes and Their Impacts in the World and in Türkiye,” Ömer Öztürk, Director of Climate Change Adaptation and Local Climate Policy at the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye, and Meral Mungan Arda, Climate Change and Environment Portfolio Manager at UNDP Türkiye, took part as speakers.

The panel emphasized that COP31, which will be hosted by Türkiye, represents a significant opportunity, underlining the importance of stronger engagement by universities, young people, and climate youth representatives in these processes. As part of the program, our students also met with Ömer Öztürk to exchange views on climate change, climate adaptation, and future-oriented sustainability initiatives.

The workshop continued throughout the day with presentations titled “COP31 & Civil Society” and “Social Impact, Governance, and Stakeholder Engagement,” along with breakout sessions on resource efficiency, ecosystems, urban life, inclusion, technology, innovation, financing, and climate adaptation. The event concluded with key discussions on sustainability, climate policy, and youth engagement in global climate action.