The seminar held by the Foundation for the Support of Women’s Work (KEDV) on 10-11 January at GESOB Seminar Hall drew a participation of 106 beneficiaries, with 76 Syrian, 24 Turkish, 5 Afghan and 1 Iranian, from the workshops on shoe-upping, textiles, packaging as well as participants of the training courses on Turkish language, computer operating, basic make-up and hair-dressing. Also participating were the members of Tomorrow's Women Committee, trainers of workshops as well as interpreters.

Held in the context of efforts to establish a women’s cooperative, the seminar featured Ms. Gülten Bingöl of Istanbul First Step Cooperative and Ms. Jale Özanlan of Gaziantep Women’s Environment, Culture and Development Cooperative who narrated their experience in establishing a cooperative and provided general information on the activity areas of women’s cooperatives. Further highlighted in the seminar were the differences between cooperatives and companies were explained, and a historical background of women’s cooperatives in Turkey, now almost 200.

Another emphasis in the seminar was on the sustainability of a cooperative’s operations which required that prospective products be selected such that each would be a marketable product which should be designed and developed to compete in the market, and be different than others in responding to needs. It was also noted that solidarity among women’s cooperatives was as much important as the cooperation and solidarity within each, and videos were shown featuring examples of good women’s cooperatives. The seminar was a ground where 44 women indicated willingness to engage in establishing a cooperative. Information was provided on a series of upcoming seminars and training in the context of establishing a women’s cooperative, then the seminar concluded.