Istanbul Kültür University (IKU); The Faculty of Education hosted the "School Climate Summit Sensitive to Freedom from Addiction" organized in cooperation with Bakırköy District Directorate of National Education and Yeşilay.
The summit, held on December 23, 2025, at the Akıngüç Auditorium and Art Center in the Ataköy building of the Bakırköy Campus, brought together academic and practical solutions in the fight against addiction.
Protocol Participation and Opening
In the protocol part of the event; our Rector Prof. Dr. Fadime Yüksektepe, President of the Turkish Yeşilay Society Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Dinç, Bakırköy District Director of National Education Dr. Kürşat Arzuoğlu and Bakırköy Yeşilay Branch President Serdar Yeniceri made the opening speeches. Our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Burcu Yavuz Tiftikçigil made a speech introducing the general structure and graduate programs of our university. Our Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Gülce Öğrüç Ildız was among the participants.
cientific Sessions: From Theory to Practice
The academic program of the summit offered rich content with presentations by experts in their fields.
Prof. Dr. Hakan Coşkunol, in his speech titled "Existential Interventions in Addiction", shared the in-depth approaches offered by existential psychotherapy in the fight against addiction.
In the "Addiction from Prevention to Intervention" panel chaired by our Dean of the Faculty of Education Prof. Dr. Alim Kaya; Psychiatrist Dr. Nedim Havle, Assist. Prof. Engin Eker and Assist. Prof. Meryem Demir Güdül discussed risks, protective factors and recovery perspectives in light of different disciplines.
Speaking at the last main session of the day titled "Digital Addictions", Dr. Eren Murat Dinçer detailed the use of technology and methods of combating digital addictions.
Five Different Workshops According to Areas of Expertise
In the afternoon sessions, participants had the opportunity to practice in five different workshops determined according to their interests:
1. "Manage the Mind, Manage the Screen": Assist. Prof. Sevil Momeni Shabani moderated the Cognitive Behavioral Approach (CBA) techniques in coping with internet addiction.
2. "Recognizing the Cycle of Trauma and Addiction": Dr. Didem Varol talked about the traumatic processes underlying addiction and how this cycle can be broken.
3. "Addiction Workshop": Under the direction of Psychological Counselor Eda Aksoy, interactive group studies were carried out.
4. "Family Workshop Protecting from Addictions": Expert Psychologist Afra Sevde Çelebi conducted a study on the critical role of family dynamics in preventing addiction.
5. "Life Skills Workshop": Expert Development Psychologist Merve Fidan discussed how young people can stay away from addiction by strengthening their social and emotional skills.
The summit, which ended with a closing and evaluation session, drew an important roadmap for a healthy future and a school climate free from addiction.
