On 16 May 2022, as part of 9 May Europe Day and European Year of Youth, IKV held a panel entitled “EU Education Programmes and Career Opportunities for Youth” in cooperation with Ankara University European Union Research and Application Center (ATAUM). After the opening speech of ATAUM Director Prof. İlke Göçmen, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı made some statements about Turkey-EU relations. Considering that the achievements between 1999-2007 contributed to the positive progress of the relations between Turkey and the EU, as well as added value to Turkey in many different areas, Kaymakcı stated that the strained relations began to recover. Underlining once again that the ultimate goal for Turkey is full membership, Kaymakcı stated that both Turkey and the EU should continue to fulfill their obligations to achieve this goal.

After Kaymakcı's speech, the first session entitled "European Solidarity Corps-ESC and Volunteering" started. The first speech in this session was made by Ambassador of Hungary to Turkey Viktor Mátis, who was in Turkey as part of the European Voluntary Service (EVS) during his student years. Mátis started his speech by talking about the experiences he gained during his time in Turkey, what these experiences contributed to him in career planning, the activities he carried out during the program, and the choices he made. Considering the importance of young people benefiting from the EU Education Programmes, Mátis concluded his speech by proposing the youth that opportunities should be used efficiently.

Turkish National Agency Expert Canay Çamur, another session speaker began her speech by discussing the structure of the Turkish National Agency before moving on to discuss the European Solidarity Program. She gave information about the competences of the National Agency, which is responsible for the execution of the EU's programs in the field of education and youth, in the projects, the status of the applications, and which subjects it focuses on.

In the second session of the panel, Yeliz Turan, EU Affairs Expert at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, started her speech and gave information about the Jean Monnet Scholarship Program. Turan continued her speech by briefing the participants about the contributions of the Jean Monnet Scholarship Program to the human resources needed in the EU field and talked about the research areas within the scope of the program. After she shared her own experiences, Jean Monnet Scholars’ Association President Suzi Erdoğan started her speech by talking about the content of the program and the achievements it gave to students. She concluded her speech by mentioning the advantages that encourage students to think and develop practically.

The last session started with the speech of Özlem Yücel, Expert at the Turkish National Agency, talking about the learning mobility of university students within the scope of the Erasmus Program. Referring to the fact that this mobility in universities has increased considerably recently, Yücel continued her speech by giving examples of the bilateral cooperation agreements of the universities and the number of applications. Yücel concluded her speech by talking about the opportunity to continue academic studies during education or internship mobility abroad and the financial support determined by the European Commission. Yücel also underlined that these programs, which contribute to the professional and personal development of students, are an investment in the careers of individuals. After Turkish and foreign students who came to Turkey shared their experiences abroad within the scope of the Erasmus Program, Finnish Embassy trainee Eveliina Lokkila also talked about her experiences in Turkey.

The panel entitled “EU Education Programs and Career Opportunities for Youth” ended with the closing speech of ATAUM Director Prof. İlke Göçmen.