The first phase of the HDV Minority Rights Academy took place between June 7 and 10, 2024, at the Anarad Hığutyun Building in Istanbul. Over 200 applications were received for the academy program, and 20 participants were selected from these applications. In the first part of the two-stage academy program, which lasted four days and was conducted face-to-face, 10 experts from different countries and fields of expertise gave seminars. The program was conducted in Turkish, with simultaneous translation provided for sessions held in English.

During the first two days of the academy program, the definition of the concept of minority, the emergence and historical transformation of minority rights, the scope of minority rights in international law, and the legislation and practice of minority rights in Türkiye were addressed. On the third day of the program, to provide a comparative perspective, the problems faced by minorities in different countries outside of Turkey were discussed. The solutions to the issues faced by minorities in the Denmark-Germany border region and the Åland Islands were examined as positive examples. On the last day of the academy, the definition of advocacy and the opportunities for advocacy in the context of the United Nations and Europe were discussed.

The second phase of the program will continue with online seminars. Participants who complete both phases will be eligible to receive a certificate of participation and to apply for the sub-grant program provided by the academy.

This project is financed by the European Union.