As part of the Innovative Practices course offered by the Department of New Media and Communication at Arkın University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD), a seminar titled “Patient Rights, Media, and Civil Society: A Rights-Based Struggle” was held with the participation of Emete İmge, Vice President of the Universal Patient Rights Association, and Belgin Demirel, Secretary General of the Association. The event was moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Huri Yontucu.
During the seminar, the speakers provided an in-depth discussion on the definition and importance of patient rights, examining various advocacy models including charity-based, needs-based, and rights-based approaches. Emete İmge emphasized that the struggle to claim rights is not only a legal process but also a participatory and empowering journey—one that must be undertaken with the patient. She also shared insights into the foundation of the Human Rights Platform and the collaborative advocacy efforts carried out by the Association.
Students were introduced to key concepts such as civil society participation in legislative and executive processes, influencing public policy, fostering rights-based awareness, and monitoring and reporting rights violations. Additionally, the role of digital tools in advocacy was highlighted through the example of Hip App, a platform used to systematically track patient experiences. The seminar offered students of media and communication a valuable perspective on ethical awareness and social responsibility.
