Back in 2015, ENIEC’s annual meeting took place in Istanbul, a city that perfectly embodies the themes of migration, diversity, and cross-cultural connections that are so central to our network.
With over 15 million official residents (and estimates reaching 20 million including unregistered inhabitants), Istanbul is not just Turkey’s largest city but also one of the world’s most dynamic and super-diverse metropolises. As a bridge between Europe and Asia, it has always been a crossroads of cultures, religions, and trade routes. Today, it remains a melting pot of ethnic groups, including Kurds, Arabs, Armenians, Greeks, Roma, and migrants from Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
In the 1960s and 70s, Istanbul served as a key organising and departure point for many Turkish guest workers who migrated to Western Europe, particularly Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, due to labour agreements between Turkey and these countries. While the first wave of migrants mainly came from rural areas, their children (the second and third generation) are now deeply rooted in European society.
Even now, Istanbul remains a major transit city for migrants and refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa seeking to reach Europe. During the 2015 migration crisis, Turkey played a central role in the EU-Türkiye deal, where billions of euros were exchanged for better refugee reception and efforts to stop irregular migration to Greece. At the time, Istanbul acted as a hub for migrants attempting the dangerous crossing to the Greek islands via smuggling routes.
The choice of Istanbul for ENIEC’s 2015 meeting was meaningful: a city home to diverse communities and once the departure point for many migrant families now linked to ENIEC’s work.
Organised by the 2015 committee with support from Sema Oğlak and other members of Turkish heritage, the meeting highlighted how migration histories are woven into ENIEC’s network. Many first-, second-, and third-generation Turkish Europeans are now professionals in elderly care, creating a unique bridge between cultures and generations.
Looking back, the meeting in Istanbul was a powerful reminder of the shared histories and ongoing connections that shape our work today.
