Germany's Feminist Foreign and Development Policy: Need for Changes in Relations with the South Caucasus Published: 3 February 2023 This article, aimed at contributing to policy changes based on the new paradigm, suggests how Germany’s policy towards Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, whose political relevance has increased for Berlin due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, could become feminist. Dr. Sonja Schiffers
Facts on Inflation in Turkey Published: 23 January 2023 Article All over the world people are experiencing the devaluation of their money. Prices are rising, and for the same products more has to be paid than before. Antonia Oschmann
Facts on Migration in Turkey Published: 23 January 2023 Article Turkey hosts the most refugees in the world. According to the UN Refugee Agency, 15% of the world's displaced refugees live in Turkey, which equals 4 million people. Most of them are Syrians, but people from Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq have also found refuge in Turkey. Antonia Oschmann
Uysal: "Personally, inflation hardly affects me because I am not paid in lira. But in my job I see every day how much it increases the existing inequalities." Published: 20 January 2023 Portrait Uysal is of Kurdish origin and has lived in many places. He lost his job as a teacher with the "purge" after the 2016 coup attempt and now works for an NGO that advocates for children's rights and safety. In the course of his job, he mainly meets people who belong to marginalised population groups. The Inflation is hitting them particularly hard. Antonia Oschmann
Pinar: "I just want to be myself. That's not possible here because I don't feel free, I often feel afraid." Published: 20 January 2023 Portrait Pinar's dream is Italy, because she does not feel equal and accepted as a woman in Turkey. The freelancer has a very international group of friends. Without them, there would be no reason for her to stay in Kadıköy. Her fear of sexual harassment and assault, which she has already experienced, is too big to live a normal life. Antonia Oschmann
Paul: "Turkey is in a situation like Russia was in 2009: in the process of transformation towards autocracy" Published: 20 January 2023 Portrait Paul is in his late twenties and ended up in Kadıköy by chance. He wanted to get away from the States and is now living very well in Istanbul. The reason is the comparatively stable salary in US dollars, which would be small for a life in the US, but offers him the opportunity to build his start-up in Turkey. Paul was born in Russia, but after leaving the country 10 years ago, he hasn’t returned until now: to escape military service. With Putin’s war, a Russian migrant community is now forming in Istanbul, reminding him of his old home. Antonia Oschmann
Miro: "I wish for a world where mothers don't have to cry anymore". Published: 20 January 2023 Portrait The 18-year-old Miro from the Kurdish city of Van comes to Istanbul to prepare for an exam and work part-time. Six days a week he waits tables in his uncle's café, learns English and is, for the first time almost free of family pressure. He makes friends and has little time to study. Eventually, because of inflation, he can no longer finance his life in Kadıköy. Antonia Oschmann
Fleur: "In fact, I would describe my time in Istanbul as one of the happiest of my life." Published: 20 January 2023 Fleur, a French student, came to Istanbul to study here for a year as part of Erasmus+. She fell in love with the metropolis of millions and its diversity. Travelling through Turkey and talking to locals, she became aware of the impact of political and economic problems on daily lives. She also learned a lot about herself and became aware of her privileges. Antonia Oschmann
Arden: "Just my existence as part of the LGBTQI+ movement makes me political here. And that's just because of who I am." Published: 20 January 2023 Portrait Arden is in their mid-twenties and born in Istanbul, they are non-binary. As a DJ and music producer, Arden is active in Istanbul's queer nightlife. Arden is experiencing the government's openly practiced queer-hostility. Even though they feel comfortable in their neighbourhood and places of work, Kadıköy and Beyoğlu. Antonia Oschmann
Aleyna: "Rich people don't want to help poorer people, even though they have enough. This is a social problem!" Published: 20 January 2023 Portrait Behind her red simit stall at the ferry port of Kadıköy, 44-year-old Aleyna sells the typical sesame curls every day. As the only woman in this position, she had to stand up to hostility and harassment from men. Meanwhile, she has been working here for 16 years, she knows the people and their stories. She helps where she can and gives some of her simit to hungry people. Antonia Oschmann