Attitude, Investment and Turkish Goods Week

Conservation, Investment, and Turkish Products Week is one of the designated days and weeks celebrated annually in primary schools across Türkiye between 12–18 December. The primary objective of the week is to instill the habit of conservation, foster awareness of investment, and promote the use of domestically produced goods. It emphasizes the need for individuals to protect their money, possessions, belongings, time, and health, and to direct surplus resources toward investment after prioritizing essential needs. The importance of selecting products manufactured within the country is highlighted, with the goal of enhancing the nation’s wealth.

Activities conducted during the week contribute to shaping students into conscious producers and conscious consumers. Lessons and social activities, integrated as a cohesive whole, increase students’ sensitivity toward social and economic issues.

^{Conservation, Investment, and Turkish Products Week Activity in Schools} (Anadolu Agency)

The origins of the week are linked to the 1929 Global Economic Crisis. The economic crisis highlighted the importance of thrift on an international scale, leading countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Greece, and Bulgaria to implement “Thrift and Domestic Products Week” in primary schools. Although European countries eventually abandoned this practice, Türkiye has continued the week under various names up to the present day.

In Türkiye, the founding of the National Economy and Savings Society on 12 December 1930 is regarded as the beginning of Domestic Products Week. The first celebrations were held in various cities, notably Istanbul and Ankara. Throughout the week, campaigns promoting domestic products were conducted in schools, the military, mosques, cinemas, newspapers, and public streets.

Since 1946, the week has been officially celebrated under the name “Domestic Products Week.” In 1983, the name was changed to “Conservation, Investment, and Turkish Products Week.” Particularly during the period 1931–1938, the activities and organizational efforts of the National Economy and Savings Society ensured the week remained a prominent agenda item.

The National Economy and Savings Society was established in Türkiye to encourage the public to practice thrift and use domestically produced goods. The society’s founding date is recognized as 12 December 1930, which is also accepted as the starting point of Domestic Products Week. Its fundamental aim was to enable the public to contribute to national development as an integral economic force and to strengthen the national economy.

The establishment of the society was closely tied to the economic conditions of the time. The government, considering the impacts of the Great Depression and the depreciation of the Turkish currency, anticipated that measures taken must be systematic and long-term. In this context, the society assumed the responsibility of educating the public and cultivating economic awareness, acting as a bridge between producers and consumers through industrial and agricultural congresses.

Following its establishment, the society launched propaganda and educational campaigns to encourage the public to use domestic products. Speeches delivered at the opening, broadcast via radio and published in newspapers, informed the public, and various activities were organized during the Thrift and Domestic Products Week. Radio addresses by the society’s president, Kazım Özalp, served as guidance for integrating thrift and domestic product usage into daily life.

The societal and economic role of women was taken into account in planning the society’s activities. As fundamental building blocks of the family, women played an active role in promoting domestic product usage and implementing thrift in everyday life. Propaganda campaigns on domestic products initiated by the Turkish Women’s Union and the Ladies’ Council became more systematic and widespread following the society’s founding.

In its first year, the society achieved success by raising public awareness regarding thrift and the use of domestic products. The industrial congresses it organized and the planned agricultural congresses served to instill economic awareness among both producers and consumers. The government supported all activities of the society and collaborated with it to strengthen the public’s role in national development.

Events held in Ankara and Istanbul as part of the week’s celebrations held a prominent place in the society’s program. After speeches, processions accompanied by demonstrations were organized to Taksim Square and Hâkimiyet-i Milliye Square, where wreaths were laid at monuments. These marches and rallies in the past involved participation from students and the public, with political figures, academics, and women representatives delivering speeches at the events.

The society and other media outlets published articles emphasizing the importance of the week, the use of domestic products, and the culture of thrift to raise public awareness. In 1928, import figures for basic consumer goods were cited to underscore the economic significance of using domestic products. Additionally, the question “Why Should We Use Domestic Products?” was addressed in various journals and newspapers to enhance societal consciousness.

During the Republican Era, the social and economic role of women was prominently featured in the activities of Conservation, Investment, and Turkish Products Week. Before the founding of the society, the Turkish Women’s Union and the Ladies’ Council conducted various propaganda campaigns to promote domestic product usage among women. Women contributed to increasing economic awareness in society by teaching thrift within families and encouraging the use of domestic products. With the establishment of the National Economy and Savings Society, women’s effectiveness in popularizing domestic product usage increased. Female speakers participated in the opening and other events of the week, with emphasis placed on the role of women in economic life. For example, Zahide Özveren highlighted the importance of teaching children to behave conservatively.

The goal is to raise students as conscious producers and conscious consumers. Awareness of conservation, investment, and the use of domestic products is reinforced through lessons and social activities. Compulsory and elective courses, guidance services, and extracurricular club activities within the educational program support the holistic development of students. Designated days and weeks enable students to become aware of social life, institutions, and events. Students engage with current economic issues, recognize key institutions, events, and problems in social life, and understand their significance.

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Article 5 of the Ministry of National Education’s Regulation on Social Activities in Primary and Secondary Schools links this week to the goal of “preventing extravagance and fostering conservation.” Furthermore, Annex-2 of Article 32 of the Regulation specifies that the week is to be celebrated between 12–18 December.

^{Conservation, Investment, and Turkish Products Week Activity} (Anadolu Agency)