Academics from Near East University, one of the world’s top 500 universities, were honored with an award in the “Gender, Age, and Disability Intersectional Issues” category at the Global Advocacy Forum 2025 held in London.
Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay and Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay, Department Heads at Near East University’s Atatürk Faculty of Education and Directors of the Social Research and Development Center within the Center of Excellence, made significant success at the Global Advocacy Forum 2025 held in London.
Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay and Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay were honored with the awards at the inaugural Global Advocacy Awards, presented this year by the AlphaZULU Advocates Board of Trustees and the Global Steering Committee of the Global Advocacy Forum 2025 (GAF2025). Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay and Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay, known for their studies to empower disadvantaged groups in terms of gender, age, and disability, have received international acclaim for their contributions to promoting social inclusion and equality. The academics successfully represented Near East University at the London forum with their contributions to the sustainable development goals.
The Global Advocacy Awards, presented for the first time this year, aim to highlight the often invisible but high-impact work of individuals and institutions in the field of development. The program recognizes individuals who contribute to social transformation at the local, national, and international levels, implement inclusive projects, and set exemplary advocacy examples.
Global development advocates gathered under one roof…
The Global Advocacy Forum, with its multi-stakeholder structure including more than 150 institutions from around the world, aims to strengthen democratic values, increase social participation, and promote international solidarity towards the sustainable development goals. Bringing together civil society organizations, academic institutions, media organizations, think tanks, and youth networks on a common platform, the Forum was organized this year under the theme “Multi-Stakeholder Advocacy to Accelerate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” The event brought together global development advocates and contributed to the creation of shared visions and collaboration opportunities.
Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl: “This prestigious award is the most significant indicator that our academics’ long-term and impactful work on sustainable development goals is being recognized internationally.”
Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl, Dean of the Atatürk Faculty of Education at Near East University, emphasized that the prestigious award, presented in the “Gender, Age, and Disability Intersectional and Cross-Cutting Issues” category as part of the Global Advocacy Forum, is a significant indicator that the faculty academics’ long-term and impactful studies on sustainable development goals are recognized internationally. Akçıl said, “With these achievements, our faculty’s esteemed academics have successfully represented Near East University in the international arena and set an exemplary example with their scientific output. I sincerely congratulate Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay and Prof. Dr. Fahriye Altınay, who have made us proud with their achievements. I hope their scientific productivity and societal contributions continue to grow.”