The Dreams Academy, a project being implemented in partnership with the Vodafone Turkey Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Turkey and the Alternative Life Association (AYDER) has been granted The Golden Compass Award in the category of best project in the civil society category. It was the 8th annual competition organized by the Turkish Public Relations Foundation.
The fundamental goal of the Dreams Academy project is to break through social deprivation and improve opportunities for disabled individuals to become active and productive citizens by providing technical training on the different branches of art for its students free of charge. In this respect, the project organizes and runs workshops in the areas of vocals, rhythm, dance, film, photography, DJing, musical instruments, painting and design, life coaching and personal development.
During the award ceremony, Founder and Chairman of Executive Board AYDER, Mr. Ercan Tutal's said that:
“The Dreams Academy motto, Artists have no barriers clearly identifies everything. The Dreams Academy is trying to make art accessible to everyone. We aim to abolish the discrimination based on disability and we are devoted to this mission in its core working plan. To see the Dreams Academy graduates who are improving themselves and being part of the labor force in the sectors which they previously could not take part in, clearly represents the success of the project.”
The recent survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute in cooperation with the Administration on Persons with Disabilities (ÖZİDA) indicates that there are approximately 8.5 million persons with disabilities in Turkey, which constitutes nearly 13 percent of the total population.
There is an urgent need to increase the integration of the disabled within their communities as well as an enormous to raise awareness, particularly in the relatively less developed regions of Turkey. Disabilities are often hidden by families and the disabled are kept apart from the social life. In this respect, the Dreams Academy project is a successful step forward.
For more information, please contact Deniz Ozturk, UNDP Turkey Private Sector Project Office.
