GRF Young Professionals Program
2024 - 2025 Term
Fourth Meeting
May 10, 2025
The fourth meeting of the 2024-2025 term of the GRF Young Professionals Program, which aims to provide a platform for young professionals who are equipped with the resolve, background, and experience to contribute to the future of Turkey and the world, was held on May 10, 2025. The meeting, centered around the themes of “Climate Crisis and Technology” and “Blockchain,” featured presentations and discussions examining the medium- to long-term implications of emerging technologies in these areas.
Moderated by Prof. Levent Kurnaz, Professor of Physics and the Director of Center for Climate Change and Policy Studies at Boğaziçi University, the first session examined recent advancements in areas such as emerging energy technologies and geoengineering, assessing their potential roles in combating climate crisis. The discussions also explored systematic approaches to crisis response, particularly in terms of climate finance and governance.
The second session addressed the technical foundations of blockchain technology and the trust mechanisms on which it relies. The potential impact of decentralized finance (DeFi) on the banking sector was examined, along with a review of major blockchain-related scandals and security breaches. Participants also analyzed the prospective transformations that blockchain could bring to sectors such as business, education, healthcare, and politics.
Assoc. Prof. Akın Ünver, faculty member in the Department of International Relations at Özyeğin University, also participated in the meeting. His presentation focused on the intersection of international relations and technology, with particular emphasis on how geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics among key global actors—such as the United States, China, and the European Union—are evolving in light of technological advancements and intensifying competition across various domains.
The presenters used the following books to as a reference point in addressing their selected topics:
Climate Crisis and Technology
Speed & Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now - John Doerr & Ryan Panchadsaram
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need - Bill Gates
Blockchain
The Blockchain and the New Architecture of Trust - Kevin Werbach
Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies Is Changing the World - Don Tapscott & Alex Tapscott