PARENT WORKSHOP IN THE AGE OF MULTIPLE CRISES AT GÜNGÖR ASLAN ANATOLIAN HIGH SCHOOL: A COLLECTIVE STEP FOR SCHOOL SAFETY AND SOCIAL RESILIENCE

Across many countries, educators are discussing a common question:

“How can schools create environments where young people feel safe, valued, and a strong sense of belonging?’

In an era marked by multiple crises, including climate change, natural disasters, digital addiction, loneliness, social polarization, and rapidly evolving technologies, this question has become more important than ever.

Led by Global Schools Program Mentor Elif Selçuk, Güngör Aslan Anatolian High School in Denizli, Türkiye, launched a collaborative action plan. Guided by the question, “What can we do together?”, the school organized the “Social Responsibility and Impact Parent Workshop in the Age of Multiple Crises” as part of the United Nations Global Schools Program.

The workshop brought together students, parents, teachers, school leaders, and members of the wider school community around a shared purpose.

The main focus of the workshop was school safety, social resilience, and social responsibility. Throughout the event, participants reflected on the challenges facing young people in an age of multiple crises while working together to explore practical solutions and collective actions.

In his opening remarks, Principal Mehmet Özbek emphasized that the workshop should not be viewed as a one-day event.

"Today, we are not simply organizing a workshop. We are taking the first step of an action plan. We are working to develop a solution model in the areas of school safety, social resilience, and social responsibility. For us, this is not an end result but a beginning. In the coming period, we aim to continue and further strengthen these efforts together with our students, parents, and teachers," he said.

The workshop was also attended by Amanda Abrom, Director of the Global Schools Program.

In her remarks, Abrom highlighted the central role young people play in driving change and emphasized the importance of school-family-community partnerships in building a sustainable future. Her participation generated great excitement within the school community and reinforced the value of being part of an international educational network.

The program also featured a student-led Social Responsibility and Impact Panel, where students shared their perspectives on the mission of social responsibility, the transformative role of corporate social responsibility in society, the role of women in social responsibility initiatives, and the importance of community solidarity. The students’ active engagement and their ability to develop solution-oriented ideas were among the most notable aspects of the workshop.

As part of the event,  Elif Selçuk delivered a seminar titled “Social Responsibility and Resilience in the Age of Multiple Crises.” The seminar explored topics including school safety, belonging, student well-being, the opportunities and risks of the digital age, parenting in the age of artificial intelligence, and social resilience. It also highlighted inspiring examples of social responsibility projects from both Türkiye and around the world.

Elif Selçuk emphasized that it is not enough for young people simply to learn about today’s challenges; they must also be actively involved in developing solutions. She noted that social responsibility projects help students develop empathy, leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. She further stressed that in an age of multiple crises, collaboration among schools, families, and communities is more important than ever.

During the second part of the workshop, students and parents participated in collaborative group workshops. Working in mixed teams, participants developed project ideas focusing on school safety, combating digital addiction, sustainable lifestyles, responsible production and consumption, women's leadership, parenting in the age of artificial intelligence, and community solidarity.

By the end of the workshop, ten project proposals had been developed. These projects will be presented to the wider school community for evaluation, and the two initiatives receiving the highest level of support will be implemented during the 2026–2027 academic year.

This initiative, led by Güngör Aslan Anatolian High School, aims to demonstrate that school safety is strengthened not only through physical measures, but also through strong relationships, family engagement, student voice, social responsibility, and a culture of social resilience.

At a time when societies around the world are facing multiple and interconnected crises, this workshop stands out as a noteworthy example of how educational communities can move beyond discussing challenges and work together to develop meaningful solutions. It highlights the power of collective action and demonstrates how schools can serve as catalysts for positive social change.