7th International Symposium of Loneliness

Dear Participants,

Loneliness, as one of the defining social phenomena of our time, profoundly influences individuals’ life experiences, social relations, and sense of identity. Particularly among younger generations, the paradox of being “more connected yet more isolated” has become increasingly visible. The dynamics of modernization, rapid digitalization, and individualization have reshaped young people’s search for meaning, belonging, and relational balance in complex ways.

In this context, the 7th International Loneliness Symposium, themed “Youth and Loneliness,” aims to explore the multifaceted relationship between youth and loneliness from sociological, psychological, and cultural perspectives. Hosted by Üsküdar University on December 24, 2025, the symposium will bring together scholars, researchers, professionals, and civil society representatives from Türkiye and abroad to discuss contemporary dimensions of youth loneliness. This year’s program will also include recent field studies focusing on emerging forms of loneliness among the digital generation, migrant youth, NEET youth, and university students.

The sessions will address a wide range of topics—from the impact of modernization and digitalization on young people to social belonging, solidarity, international perspectives, and the transformative role of civil society. The symposium seeks not only to analyze loneliness as an individual emotional state but also to conceptualize it as a broader social indicator of our age, fostering academic dialogue and generating solution-oriented insights.

Held in both Turkish and English, this year’s symposium is expected to contribute meaningfully to academic scholarship as well as public policy discussions. Your participation will enrich this significant scientific gathering.

Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Suleymanli

Chair of the Organizing Committee Üsküdar

University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences – Department of Sociology