Development Foundation of Turkey (DFT) collection, 1966-2005
Collection context
- Creator:
- Development Foundation of Turkey
- Extent:
- 2.5 linear feet 2 record cartons
- Language:
- English , Turkish .
- Scope and content:
-
Within this framework, DFT's two-pronged approach with human resources deveopment and technical assistance that developed a single coordinated system covering income generation, promotion of technical and social skills, awareness building about environmental protection, assistance for sustainable management models, institutional development of communities, and advocacy for the rural households could be of interest to the Columbia Library Collection and may provide ample data for researchers and students interested in achieving a better understanding of the socio-economic development in rural Turkey since 1970s.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Development Foundation of Turkey-DFT (Türkiye Kalkınma Vakfı-TKV in Turkish) was formally incorporated on January 13, 1969, as a private, non-governmental, non-profit organization upon tireless efforts of Mr. Altan Unver, DFT's principal founder, who devoted his time and energy for rural development since his early youth years.
Altan Ú́̈nver graduated from Tarsus American College in 1957 and then studied Chemical Engineering at Robert College, Turkey. Upon completion, Altan Ünver went to University of Texas Austin and graduated from Chemical Engineering and Economics departments. Ünver's interest in community service dated back to his college years when he gained experience in developmental work in various parts of Turkey.
DFT's introduction of an integrated approach has marked a milestone in rural development efforts, aiming at involvement of considerable numbers of rural households in projects, addressing all factors to be dealt with (such as essential inputs, credit facilities, know-how, marketing and others), underlining the interrelation of economic and social conditions and improvements, and finally, calling for a common understanding of the purposes, goals, and methodologies to be employed by all sectors (public, private, governmental, non-governmental) at all levels to ensure effective use of resources.
The early works of the Foundation was focused in Adana Tarsus and then expanded to 10 other settlements in Southeastern Turkey following the earthquakes of 1976 Diyarbakır Lice and 1977 Van Muradiye. In 1970s, DFT has pioneered developmental breakthroughs on several fronts in selected regions and in selected fields throughout Turkey, such as starting quality queen-bee breeding, initiating nationwide medication and vaccination campaigns against destructive parasite Varroa in beekeeping and for Theileriosis (tick fever) that has been the most destructive cattle disease then, developing indigenous rural credit programs, income generating activities through contract farming implementations with rural households, developing an integrated model for poultry (broiler) production among small holders, which later was expanded nationwide by DFT (as Köy-Tür) under the delegation of Ministry of Agriculture in Turkey and supported by the World Bank.
The DFT archival collection encapsulates the activities of the foundation between 1969 and 2006. The collection contains original reports, mission statements, correspondence between the Foundation and other organizations, activity reports and detailed analysis of development programs in rural Turkey and documents organizational structure, general profile of the Foundation and numerous examples of different case studies.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
This collection has no restrictions.
- Terms of access:
-
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Development Foundation of Turkey (DFT) Collection; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu