Darülaceze Introduced as a Best Practice Example at the United Nations 64th Social Development Conference

Darülaceze, representing Turkey’s 130-year tradition of compassion and social solidarity, was introduced as a “best practice example” with its inclusive long-term care model at a side event held at the United Nations Headquarters. The event took place on February 2, 2026, in New York, with the participation of representatives from member states and international organizations.

Organized under the auspices of Minister of Family and Social Services, H.E. Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, the event was hosted by Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services, Adil Çalışkan, and President of Darülaceze, Esra Ceceli İslam. Following İslam’s opening remarks, the Darülaceze introductory film was screened and received great interest from participants.

In her speech, Esra Ceceli İslam recalled that Darülaceze was founded in 1895 by Sultan Abdulhamid II with the joint contributions of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities in Istanbul, emphasizing: “Since its establishment, Darülaceze has adopted the principle of serving humanity without discrimination of religion, language, race, or sect.”

Highlighting Darülaceze’s unique structure, İslam noted its independent financial system, which operates without burdening the state budget, and its uninterrupted service for 130 years. She added: “Our donors, through their contributions, not only secure their own future but also directly improve the lives of individuals in need of care. This solidarity model has been the greatest strength keeping Darülaceze resilient through wars, crises, and major social transformations.”

“A 130-Year Sustainable Special Model”

İslam underlined that Darülaceze operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Family and Social Services, which is critical for sustaining service quality. She also shared the institution’s vision for growth and cooperation, stating: “In a rapidly aging world, we are ready to share our experience and collaborate with all countries to develop sustainable elderly care models.”

Opening speaker H.E. Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, Minister of Social Development and Family of Qatar, emphasized that the global rise in elderly populations, chronic diseases, and weakening family bonds make inclusive long-term care systems essential. She remarked: “Darülaceze’s model, based on human dignity, compassion, and equality, is not just theoretical but a successfully implemented example. States should draw inspiration from this model to develop joint policies.”

Another keynote speaker, Deputy Minister Adil Çalışkan, highlighted that the global average life expectancy has reached 74 years and is expected to see the 65+ population grow to 2.2 billion within the next 50 years. He stated: “In Turkey, social policies are shaped under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with the principle ‘Let man live so the state may live.’ Darülaceze is the historical and institutional embodiment of this vision.”

Hidayat Abdullayev, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population of Azerbaijan, stressed that Darülaceze’s 130-year experience represents not only institutional history but also a universal value system: “What makes this model truly strong is its management approach centered on human dignity rather than age.”

“Darülaceze: A Bright Model for the World”

Guest of honor UN Assistant Secretary-General Diene Keita described Turkey and Darülaceze as “a bright example” of inclusive long-term care services that can inspire the entire world. She emphasized the importance of access to long-term care and supporting families in this process, reiterating UNFPA’s commitment to active and healthy aging policies.

Keita also highlighted the challenges faced by women, who often bear the burden of caregiving, and concluded with a meaningful message referencing Turkish culture: “As a Turkish proverb says, ‘One must fill the jug while the water flows.’ Let us seize this opportunity and build a strong foundation for future generations to age actively.”

Following the opening speeches, a panel moderated by Elif Şentürk Gül, Chief of Cabinet at Darülaceze, was held.

Panelist Asım Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, noted that Darülaceze is a concrete proof of how compassion and social solidarity can evolve into a long-term successful model. Representatives from Slovenia (Ondina Blokar Drobic) and Austria (Stephen Pretterhofer) shared their countries’ experiences in long-term care systems, while Cynthia Stuen, Chief Representative of the International Federation on Ageing to the UN, emphasized that Darülaceze’s birth in times of social crisis makes its model even more relevant to today’s global challenges.