ABANT PLATFORM
being part of the solution
ABANT PLATFORM Abant Platform aims to contribute to the culture of coexistence by accepting differences as richness. It is sensitive to domestic and international problems and is intended to discuss these issues in an inclusive and democratic manner. We all should aim to build a medium of shared understanding, common denominators and dialogue that will eradicate prejudices among segments of the society. We search for permanent and democratic solutions against all forms of violence, and oppression.
Abant Platform is an intellectual forum based in Istanbul, Turkey. Abant meetings have been hosted by 8 countries across four continents. Abant Platform is supported by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF). JWF holds General Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC
∂ Abant, Bolu
∂ Gaziantep
∂ Washington D.C.
∂ Erbil
∂ Brussels
∂ Kartepe, İzmit
∂ İstanbul
∂ Paris
∂ Erzurum
∂ Addis Ababa
∂ Cairo
∂ Akçakoca, Düzce
executive board Abant Platform meetings are planned by an Executive Board that includes prominent names from a variety of disciplines and worldviews. These scheduled activities are carried out by the secretariat. The platform does not have a permanent membership basis. Rather it invites interested politicians, scholars, journalists and opinion makers to discuss a different topic each time. Most Abant meetings are broadcasted live on TV and receive significant media attention. Generally, Abant meetings take place twice a year. Every Abant meeting ends with a final declaration that reflects a loose consensus of the participants.
PROF. DR. LEVENT KÖKER
PROF. MEHMET ALTAN
Chairman, Abant Platform
İstanbul University
PROF. DR. SERAP YAZICI
MUSTAFA YEŞİL
ALI BULAÇ
Istanbul Şehir University
The Journalists and Writers Foundation
Journalist - Writer
PROF. ESER KARAKAŞ
CEMAL UŞAK
PROF. DR. FERHAT KENTEL
CAFER SOLGUN
Istanbul University
The Journalists and Writers Foundation
İstanbul Şehir University
Encounter Association
PROF. MÜMTAZER TÜRKÖNE
PROF. BERIL DEDEOĞLU
DR. ÜMIT KARDAŞ
Fatih University
Galatasaray University
ÜMIT FIRAT
Columnist - Writer
Helsinki Citizens Association
PROF. METE TUNCAY
PROF. DR. NIYAZI ÖKTEM
HERKÜL MİLAS
Bilgi University
Fatih University
Journalist - Writer
İBRAHIM AYTAÇ ANLI Secretary General, Abant Platform
ABANT PLATFORM 1998 ∂ 2015 The Platform held its first meeting in the resort town of Abant in Bolu province of Turkey in March 1998. The venue of this meeting gave the platform its name. Abant Platform aims to bring together leaders and opinion makers from a large spectrum of professional and academic backgrounds to discuss issues of key importance at domestic, regional and international levels, committed to improving the culture of debate and to come up with solutions to build a better future. Being well aware of the complex nature of contemporary social and political challenges, Abant Platform warmly welcomes participants from all opinions and worldviews who share its commitment to a democratic, inclusive and civilized exchange of ideas. Since the first Abant meeting in 1998, such openness has proven to be the main driving force in our endeavor for advancing democracy through mutual understanding.
THOSE WHO SEEK REMEDIES ARE THE ONES WHO BEAR ABANT SPIRIT
33rd Abant Meeting: Turkey’s Direction, 20-22 June 2014, Akçakoca, Turkey
THE PLATFORM IS WELL KNOWN FOR ENCOURAGING DEMOCRATIC DEBATE ON CRITICAL ISSUES AT CRITICAL TIMES. THE RESULT HAS BEEN A VISIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO SOFTENING OF RHETORIC ON IDENTITY AND IDEOLOGY BASED DIVERGENCES.
PROF. MEHMET S. AYDIN Former Minister of State “An Abant Spirit has been formed and exhibited in Abant Meetings. This spirit was brave. In most of the meetings held in Turkey, for reasons I don’t feel the need to enumerate, there was a dominant voice. The opposing voice was never more than a part of the general decor. However in Abant Meetings each voice was equally valuable as the other, as long as staying within the boundaries of science and idea it was worthy of respect.”
HRANT DINK (1954 - 2007) Editor-in-Chief of Agos Newspaper “From the beginning, Abant initiative is bold and qualitative because there is no such tradition between intellectuals with different views in Turkey to come together to discuss matters. Abant Meetings pioneered such a tradition. It was a though task and not everyone could do it at that time. However, they made it. Abant Meetings have two significant characteristics. First, to bring together intellectuals from opposite views and second to ensure high level intellectual and qualitative of the meetings. Abant exceedingly succeed on both”
PROF. DR. METE TUNCAY Bilgi University
CEMAL USAK Former General Secretary of Abant Platform
“The goal is to attain peaceful coexistence in mutual citizenship awareness without alienating each other. In the light of this ideal, I hope the sympathy that started in these Abant Meetings not only will be increasingly accepted by community but also help with diffusion of tension between traditionalists and innovators.”
“Abant platform is the idea composition that brings together scholars, intellectuals, journalists and writers of every ideology who represent “Turkey’s Accumulation.”
abant meetings 12
ISLAM, THE WEST AND MODERNIZATION Cairo, Egypt
8-11 JULY 1999
13
ALEVISM WITH ITS HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, FOLKLORIC AND CONTEMPORARY DIMENSIONS Istanbul, Turkey 17-18 MARCH 2007
21-23 JULY 2000
14
PERCEPTIONS AND REALITIES Istanbul
PLURALISM AND SOCIAL RECONCILIATION Abant, Turkey
13-15 JULY 2001
15
NEW CONSTITUTION Kartepe, Izmit, Turkey
5
GLOBALIZATION Abant, Turkey
12-14 JULY 2002
16
TURKEY: A BRIDGE BETWEEN CIVILISATIONS AND ITS THE EU MEMBERSHIP PROCESS Istanbul 15-16 DECEMBER 2007
6
WAR AND DEMOCRACY Abant, Turkey
11-13 JULY 2003
17
THE KURDISH ISSUE: SEARCHING FOR PEACE AND FUTURE TOGETHER Abant, Turkey
19-20 APRIL 2004
18
SEARCHING FOR PEACE AND FUTURE TOGETHER Erbil, Iraq
8
CULTURE, IDENTITY AND RELIGION IN TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP PROCESS Brussels, Belgium 3 - 4 DECEMBER 2004
19
DEMOCRATIZATION FOR A NEW SOCIAL CONSENSUS Ankara, Turkey
9
NEW APPROCHES IN EDUCATION Erzurum, Turkey
2-3 JULY 2005
20
DEMOCRATIZATION: POLITICAL PARTIES FROM 1980 COUP D’ETAT TO THE EU 19-20 JUNE 2009 MEMBERSHIP PROCESS Abant, Turkey
10
CONVERSATIONS ON REPUBLIC, CULTURAL PLURALISM AND EUROPE Paris, France 31 MARCH -1 APRIL 2006
21
EGYPT, TURKEY AND STABILITY IN THE MIDDLE-EAST Cairo, Egypt
22
TUTELAGE AND DEMOCRACY Abant, Turkey
1
ISLAM AND LAICISM Abant, Turkey
2
RELIGION, STATE AND SOCIETY Abant, Turkey
3
DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTIONAL STATE Abant, Turkey
4
ISLAM, LAICISM AND DEMOCRACY : TURKISH EXPERIENCE 7 Washington DC, USA
GLOBAL POLICIES AND THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE-EAST 11 Abant, Turkey
17-19 JULY 1998
14-15 JULY 2006
25-26 FEBRUARY 2007
13-14 APRIL 2007
16-17 NOVEMBER 2007
4-6 JULY 2008
15-16 FEBRUARY 2009 12-13 MARCH 2010
17.MAY.2010 22-25 JUNE 2010
1998 ∂ 2015 23
NEW PERIOD - NEW CONSTITUTION Abant, Turkey
24
EVALUATION OF TURKEY’S 2011 GENERAL ELECTION Istanbul
25
THE MIDDLE EAST AFTER THE ARAP SPRING Gaziantep
30 APRIL - 1 MAY 2011 16 JUNE 2011 3-4 DECEMBER 2011
26 FRAMEWORK OF THE NEW CONSTITUTION Abant, Turkey
9-11 MARCH 2012
27 DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES ON TURKEY Abant, Turkey
22-24 JUNE 2012
28 DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES ON TURKEY Abant, Turkey
8-10 FEBRUARY 2013
29 AFRICA WITH ITS EXPERIENCES & INSPIRATIONS Abant, Turkey
28-30 JUNE 2013
30 ALEVIS AND SUNNIS : SEARCHING FOR PEACE AND FUTURE TOGETHER Abant, Turkey 13-15 DECEMBER 2013 31
TURKEY’S EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES: EDUCATION POLICIES AND SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS IN THE LIGHT OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES 22-23 FEBRUARY 2014 Istanbul, Turkey
32 FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION & RESPECT FOR THE SACRED Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
8-9 MARCH 2014
33 TURKEY’S DIRECTION Akçakoca, Düzce, Turkey
20-22 JUNE 2014
Abant Facts & Figures
33
3,000
406
477
meetings
recommendations
over 3,000 participants
hours of discussions
PARTICIPANTS' PROFILES
52
21
16
11
1612
6 51
4 96
341
academics
journalists
activits
politicians and civil servants
31st Abant Meeting: Turkey’s Educational Challenges: Education Policies and Search for Solutions in the Light of International Experiences, 22-23 February 2014, Conrad Hotel, Istanbul
ISSUES Since 1998, Abant Platfrom, an independent initiative of the JWF for cooperation and dialogue, has been at the forefront of the debate on issues from democratization to freedom of expression, and committed to offer reasonable ideas for policy. Abant participants have analyzed urgent and emerging issues of the nation and the region that caused tensions and possible clashes. Participants endeavor to reach a consensus on the issue and release a final communiquĂŠ that lists recommendations.
NEW CONSTITUTION Abant platform has discussed the framework of the new constitution on numerous meetings and proposed articles and solutions to the drafting process. Experts and other stakeholders including Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek, government and opposition parties’ representatives were among the participants who were in agreement that the new constitution should include the principles of pluralism and equal citizenship, strengthening of the commitment to democracy and guaranteeing of basic human rights extending to ethnic and religious minority rights.
Abant Meetings ∂ New Constitution Kartepe, İzmit 16-17 November 2007 ∂ New Period - New Constitution Abant, Bolu 30 April-1 May 2011 ∂ Evaluation of Turkey’s 2011 General Election Istanbul 16 June 2011 ∂ Framework of New Constitution Abant, Bolu 09-11 March 2012
ALAWITES - SUNNIS RELATIONS Alevis are not considered officially religious minority in Turkey like Greeks or Armenians, however their rights are not recognized by the state (the status of the worship places) and discriminatory practices of state officials, the Alevis have been victims of systemic marginalization. The Platform brought together civil society representatives, academicians, and other interested parties to discuss the problems of Alevis in two well-attended meetings.
Abant Meetings ∂ Alevism with its Historical, Cultural, Folkloric and Contemporary Dimensions Istanbul 17-18 March 2007 ∂ Alevis and Sunnis : Searching for Peace and Future Together Abant, Bolu 13-15 December 2013
RELIGION, STATE AND SOCIETY The meeting, “Islam and Laicism”, took place during a time of high political tension in Turkey, mainly around the issues of religion and secularism.The second meeting on ‘Religion, State and Society’ in July 1999 attracted further attention and participation. Since then, this topic is raised in almost all Abant meetings especially those focused on the making of the new constitution.
Abant Meetings ∂ Islam and Laicism Abant, Bolu 16-19 July 1998 ∂ Religion, State and Society Abant, Bolu 08-11 July 1999 ∂ Islam, Laicism and Democracy : Turkish Experience Washington DC 19-20 April 2004 ∂ Culture, Identity and Religion in Turkey’s EU Membership Process Brussels 3-4 December 2004
KURDISH ISSUE The meetings on the aforesaid issue were held between 2008 and 2009 when almost none were keen on initiating discussions on the problems of the Kurdish Minority. Meetings tackled the issues of ethnic minority rights (individual, group, and cultural), the media’s role in the conflict and ended with a call to end the violence and form a new language to solve this longstanding problem. Participants also shared their perspectives for the future. Second meeting was held in Erbil, Iraq where participants welcomed by the Prime Minister of the Regional Kurdish Administration, Mr. Nechirvan Barzani’s speech. Participants urged both governments to further strengthen their collaboration for peace in the region.
Abant Meetings ∂ The Kurdish Issue: Searching for Peace and Future Together Abant, Bolu 4-6 July 2008 ∂ Searching for Peace and Future Together Erbil 15-16 February 2009
DEMOCRATIZATION Participants of the Abant Meetings repeatedly have been stressed on democratization to overcome any kind of tutelage which stands as the greatest obstacle to our efforts to solve our chronic problems including ethnic problems and individual freedoms. Intellectuals urge for rapid reforms on politics and economics within the scope of Turkey’s EU membership negotiations.
Abant Meetings ∂ War and Democracy Abant, Bolu 11-13 July 2003 ∂ Democratization: Political Parties from 1980 Coup d’Etat to the EU Membership Process Abant, Bolu 19-20 June 2009 ∂ Democratization for a New Social Consensus Ankara 12-13March 2010 ∂ Tutelage and Democracy Abant, Bolu 22-25 June 2010
EUROPEAN UNION - TURKEY RELATIONSHIP Abant Platform Participants urged Turkish Governments that Turkey should turn its face to EU. They affirmed that our membership benefits both EU and Turkey. As a member of the Union, liberal democratic Turkey will be a role model for our region. For EU, besides its young population and emerging market, Turkey, a Muslim majority country and a bridge between east and west, will assist EU in its fight against radicalism and reach out to its Muslim population.
Abant Meetings ∂ Culture, Identity and Religion in Turkey’s EU Membership Process Abant, Bolu 3-4 December 2004 ∂ Turkey: A Bridge Between Civilizations and its the EU Membership Process Istanbul 15-16 December 2007 ∂ Turkey’s Direction Abant, Bolu 20-22 June 2014
PLURALISM AND SOCIAL RECONCILIATION Participants of the meetings once again declared that political pluralism can only be realized in a democratic and secular regime. Participants wished for democratic Turkey in which every kind of name and political posture can express itself freely and all individuals are guaranteed basic human rights in practice and concomitantly are free from prejudices based on gender, race, sex or religion. They emphasized that new constitution should be based on social reconciliation.
Abant Meetings ∂ Pluralism and Social Reconciliation Abant, Bolu 13-15 July 2001 ∂ Conversations on Republic, Cultural Pluralism and Europe Paris 31 March -1 April 2006
EDUCATION Abant Platform convened two times to discuss problems and future of the educational system. The participants suggested instead of a centralist, homogeneous curriculum, it should be more free, flexible and pluralist. Moreover, they proposed inclusive, transparent decision making process which should be subject to supervision. They also stated that “private education and tutoring are not alternatives but complementary institutions to the public ones in Turkey. However, private educational institutions should be assessed in terms of equal opportunities, market conditions, freedom of enterprise and right to preference”.
Abant Meetings ∂ New Approches in Education Erzurum 2-3 July 2005 ∂ Turkey’s Educational Challenges: Education Policies and Search for Solutions in the light of International ExperiencesIstanbul 22-23 February 2014
international destinations ISLAM, SECULARISM AND DEMOCRACY: TURKISH EXPERIENCE SAIS, Washington DC 19-20 April 2004
“Islam, Secularism and Democracy: Turkish Experience” Meeting was organized in Washington DC in collaboration with Brookings Institution, Rumi Forum and Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in April 2004. The meeting brought together a large group of transatlantic experts as well as leaders from both US and Turkish governments.
CULTURE, RELIGION AND IDENTITY IN TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP PROCESS European Parliament , Brussels 03-04 December 2004 As a predominantly pro-EU intellectual spectrum, Abant Platform made significant efforts to support Turkey’s EU bid. A key step toward that end was the 8th Abant meeting “Culture, Religion and Identity in Turkey’s EU Membership Process”, which held a 2 day meeting on December 2004 at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event took place days before the critical meeting between Turkish government and EU leaders which resulted with a positive decision to start accession talks in 2005.
CONVERSATIONS ON REPUBLIC, CULTURAL PLURALISM AND EUROPE Paris 31 March -1 April 2006 The Abant Platform’s 10th meeting titled “Conversations on Republic, Cultural Pluralism and Europe” was held with the collaboration of the French International Social Sciences and Human Sciences Center at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Education and culture, society and identity problem, globalization and socio-economic models and the European Project were among the topics discussed at the meeting.
ISLAM, WEST AND MODERNITY
Cairo 25-26 February 2007 / 17 May 2010 The platform has also organized major activities in the MENA region. The first of these activities was held in Cairo in February 2007 with the title “Islam, West and Modernity”. The second Abant Meeting in Cairo “Egypt, Turkey and Stability in the Middle East” was held in May 2010. Following the eruption of the wide spread protests in Middle East, the 25th Abant meeting in December 2010 was dedicated to a discussion on “Middle East after the Arab Spring” in Gaziantep province of Turkey.
MoU with the African Union In recent years, Abant Platform and African Union established a fruitful relationship to share experience and find African solutions to the African problems. The first meeting was held in Turkey in June 2013 titled “Africa between Experience and Inspirations” which brought together a large group of Turkish and African intellectuals and decision makers. The second meeting was convened in the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in March 2014 titled “Freedom of
Expression and Respect for the Sacred”. The Forum was jointly organized by the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union Commission (DPA/AUC). The distinguished guests including the representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as well as 155 participants from 15 countries from all around the world actively contributed to the discussions.
After these two major events, and multiple bilateral visits, JWF and African Union have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in February 2015
H.E. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission at the Closing Ceremony of the 29th Abant Meeting titled Africa with Its Experiences & Inspirations, 30 June 2013, Abant, Turkey
Ms. Nafis Sadik, Special Advisor on Policy to the Executive Director of UNAIDS at the Opening Ceremony of the Istanbul Summit, 31 May 2014, Istanbul
Istanbul Summit
WOMEN'S PERSPECTIVES ON UN POST - 2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
MAY 31 - JUNE 1, 2014 ISTANBUL
Since 2012, Abant Platform within the framework of its mission and vision, has committed to contribute to the United Nations’ agenda on peace and security, sustainable development, individual rights, and rule of law.In this regard, Abant Platform jointly with the Women’s Platform, another JWF initiative, brought together around 300 women participants from 45 countries, including members of CSOs, parlamentarians, academics, activists, and journalists, to discuss the new sustainable development agenda.The summit ended with the announcement of seven working groups outcome and parliamentarians call for action.
Working Groups and Parliamentarian Roundtable on ∂ Eradication of Poverty
∂ Environment, Climate Change, and Energy
∂ Women’s Empowerment
∂ Sustainable Economic Development
∂ Health
∂ Peace and Good Governance
∂ Education
27th Abant Meeting: Different Perspectives on Turkey, 22-24 June 2012, Abant, Turkey
Diverse perspectives on Turkey THE PERCEPTION OF TURKEY AS A ROLE MODEL FOR THE MENA REGION Abant, Bolu 22-24 June 2012
Abant Platform brought together intellectuals, journalists and academics from various countries who are currently residing in Turkey met with their Turkish peers and had free discussion on Turkey’s Regional Role and its Foreign Policy. “The perception of Turkey as a role model in the MENA [Middle East and North Africa] region is related to its economic success and also political developments. Its ability to carry out this role will also depend on its success in democratization,” stated the final declaration of the meeting.
TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION PROCESS Abant, Bolu 08-11 February 2013
The second meeting was on the Turkey’s EU accession negotiations and current developments. Final declaration underlined the importance of the recognition of the multicultural reality of Turkey as well as its essential role for the security of Europe. The declaration described Turkey as “indispensable for peaceful coexistence between the Muslim world and the West. The declaration noted that no chapter has been opened since June 2010 and that the status quo cannot be maintained forever, adding that unblocking some chapters would give new momentum to the process.
Global Insights
EXPLORING ISSUES WITH GLOBAL LEADERS
Global Insights is a special discussion series organized by Abant Platform that aim to explore challenging issues of our region and the world. Each Global Insight program features a prominent figure with global credentials and the meetings attract a select group of participants from a variety of backgrounds and worldviews. Global Insight program has three main components ∂ Roundtable The roundtable discussion gathers senior figures of Turkey’s media, academy and business life. The discussion starts with honorary guest’s speech and continues with a Q&A session. ∂ Abant Distinguished Lecture The Abant distinguished lecture brings together early and midcareer academicians, journalists, and business people. The participants are expected to complete a selection of articles recommended by the speaker prior to the lecture. ∂ Media Breakfast The media breakfast is an informal setting bringing together primarily correspondents of international media outlets. A brief opening intervention is followed by questions from the participants.
Global Insights 2014 Distinguished Speaker Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Former President of Brazil Fernando Henrique Cardoso has not only served as the President of Brazil for two terms between 1995 and 2002, but also a prominent scholar and intellectual of Brazil. Mr. Cardoso can be said to be example of a philosopher king, because he was a highly esteemed intellectual long before he decided to run for political office. British prospect magazine named him among the top hundred intellectuals of the world in 2005. “It is possible to reduce poverty so on so forth. So, it is a puzzle , a very complicated puzzle.” “Brazil had 3 problems, the first one is inflation, the second one is inflation, the third one is inflation and you need to stop inflation.” “The first step to understand what is Brazil today is to go back 1988 constitution that we drafted.” “It is for reform. I do not know if we have enough energy to implement reform but I continue to ask for reforms in that sense, more democracy, and more competence to stop corruption.”
contacts Abant Platform The Journalists and Writers Foundation Tophanelioğlu Caddesi, Aygün Sokak No:4 Altunizade – Üsküdar Istanbul • Turkey Zip code 34662 Ph +90 216 339 91 96 Fax +90 216 339 91 49 www.abantplatform.org
@AbantPlatform
www.abantplatform.org