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Zirve 23, Türkiye’s premier summit connecting young talents with leaders from business and civil society, celebrated its fifth edition on Oct. 16 at the Basketball Development Center.
The event opened with a presentation by Serdar Turan, editor-in-chief of Harvard Business Review Türkiye, welcoming over 3,000 university students from across the country.
The summit’s theme, "Go to Yourself," encouraged participants to embark on a journey of self-discovery while exploring interactive learning zones and one-on-one discussions with company representatives.
Actor Zafer Algoz, inspired by anecdotes from his career, stressed the importance of passion and perseverance. Aselsan CEO Ahmet Akyol highlighted leadership in human-centered innovation: "Courage is the bridge that takes us from fear to action. We only lose when we don’t try."
Author Sermin Yasar emphasized the healing power of stories and self-reflection, urging young participants to reconnect with their most observant, curious selves.
The summit also hosted the graduation ceremony for the 23 cohort, celebrating the achievements of young participants completing the program.
The CHRO panel featured Trendyol’s Beti Yuhay Almozlino and BSH’s Huseyin Coskun discussing talent management, corporate culture, and resilience. Moderator M. Serdar Kuzuloglu advised: "Don’t compete with AI; curiosity, learning how to learn, and human touch will keep you in the game."
Historian Zekeriya Kursun addressed the “Conscience” session, linking self-discovery to social responsibility: "By expanding our awareness of Gaza, you can help remove historical injustices. Contemporary history must be rewritten through the eyes of a Palestinian child."
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales reflected on knowledge in the age of AI:
"True revolutions always start with curiosity, not power. The next revolution will be about human choices."
Kadir Aydin, chairman of the Board at 23 Foundation, opened the summit with a call to courage: "To go to yourself may be the most challenging, meaningful, and courageous journey one can undertake."
Panels featured leaders across sectors. Garanti BBVA’s Ebru Tasci Firuzbay and Sertac Doganay highlighted the importance of diversity and human-centered leadership, emphasizing that corporate culture should foster both belonging and efficiency. Vodafone Türkiye’s Meltem Bakiler Sahin encouraged young participants to embrace uncertainty: "Mistakes made in uncertainty are the best teachers because error is another word for growth."
Chef Refika Birgul shared her journey of curiosity and courage, while Professor Zeynep Cihangir Cankaya introduced the idea of “compassionate skepticism,” blending doubt with empathy and curiosity.
Hatay tradesman Nurettin Imren spoke on earthquake recovery, urging solidarity in rebuilding efforts: "When Hatay stands tall again, buy bread from a local shop, say hello. That greeting will be our rebirth."
Zirve 23 continues to serve as a platform for young talents to explore their potential, redefine themselves, and take steps toward shaping the future. With a two-year program for selected participants, the summit aims to nurture an expanding network of learning, growth, and societal impact.
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