UN Global Compact Recognizes Turkcell CEO as a 2017 SDG Pioneer
September 22 2017 - 6:58PM
Business Wire
Turkcell CEO Kaan Terzioglu has been
recognized among the SDG Pioneers for supporting refugees through
mobile technology
The United Nations Global Compact, the sustainability platform
that the United Nations has launched to remove poverty and ensure
that all people live in peace and prosperity, has determined 10 SDG
Pioneers – individuals from around the world who are championing
sustainability through their own companies and mobilizing the
broader business community to take action in pursuit of the 17
Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. Among the SDG Pioneers
recognized is Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of Turkcell.
“Each of the 2017 SDG Pioneers is exhibiting how companies and
pioneering individuals can be a force for positive change in
addressing the issues we all face today,” said Lise Kingo, UN
Global Compact CEO and Executive Director. “Mr. Terzioglu has
been impactful in showing how today’s technologies can empower
distressed people in innovative ways. He has been a Pioneer in
supporting refugees through mobile technology.”
Turkcell Chairman Ahmet Akca expressed his happiness
about this meaningful award with the following words: "As Turkcell,
we are acting with awareness of our responsibilities to leave a
better Turkey for our children. We have developed various projects
to support our brothers who have migrated from Syria, which is
experiencing one of the greatest human dramas of the century we are
living in. Today, every Turkcell employee has the diligence, hard
work and effort in the projects we put into account in order to
provide all sorts of needs; especially language learning for more
than 3 million of our Syrian brothers whom we have hosted in
Turkey, and for integrating them into the social environment.
Finally, I congratulate all Turkcell employees, starting from
General Manager Kaan Terzioglu, for their contributions to our
country and to humanity which have earned this meaningful award
given by the United Nations."
Turkcell introduced the application of “Hello Hope” last year
during the UN General Assembly week, at the United Nations Private
Sector Forum. One year later, the same platform was being utilized
by more than 500 thousand “Hello Hope” users - both making a
difference in their lives and inspiring the world with its success
story.
“When designing our solutions, we always set out with a simple
question: How can we make the most meaningful difference in the
lives of those who need it the most? It is our privilege to be a
part of an industry which is extremely conducive to reaching large
numbers of people with technologies that can really help” said
Kaan Terzioglu. “For refugees, a smartphone is the most
accessible and powerful tool for survival and livelihood. Coupled
with connectivity and meaningful digital services, it becomes a
tool for new beginnings and normalization of lives. We are humbled
to see that the Syrians in Turkey have benefited extensively from
what we have to offer – and we are proud to be a part of the UN
Global Compact community as a private sector player which puts
humanitarian issues at the center of its work.”
The “Hello Hope” mobile app, which Turkcell developed to support
the integration of more than 3 million Syrian refugees living in
Turkey, has reached more than half million downloads since its
launch in September 2016 during the UN Private Sector Forum.
Setting out with the goal of supporting Syrian refugees in Turkey
to overcome the language barrier, the app which is open to
subscribers of all operators helps users learn Turkish, have access
to instant voice translation between Turkish and Arabic, and
benefit from location based services and reliable information on
essential issues such as registration, health and education. The
application also offers easy access to Turkcell’s Arabic-language
call center.
Turkcell recently complemented the mobile application with the
phase 2 of the “Hello Hope” project. With the support of its public
and private sector partners - AFAD (Disaster and Emergency
Management Presidency of Turkey) and Prodea Systems - Turkcell
built and equipped a fiber-connected technology center at a
temporary refugee camp in Southeastern Turkish city of
Kahramanmaras. Using the ultrafast fiber connectivity and
classrooms equipped with IPTV sets and tablets, the camp’s
residents – including 10 thousand children – can access education
and lifestyle content.
Every year, Global Compact chooses "business leaders" who are
attracting attention with their work that serves 17 global
development goals. Between hundreds of candidates and projects from
various countries, 10 names are set to inspire the global business
world. The announcement of selected pioneers takes place at the
Leaders' Summit in New York.
Taking humanitarian and sustainable development as one of its
priorities, Turkcell has been a member of the Global Compact, the
world's most widespread sustainability platform, since 2007. The
Global Compact has 250 companies and non-governmental organizations
in Turkey.
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Media:Turkcell Corporate CommunicationsBurak
Mergenburak.mergen@turkcell.com.tr
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