Journalists and Writers Foundation in Rwanda for Global Peacemakers Conference
Date posted: August 21, 2014
“Global Peacemakers Conference” took place in the Rwandan capital city Kigali, August 7-8, 2014. Turkey’s Journalists and Writers Foundation, the sole participant from outside Africa, attended the event having attracted a large number of academics, religious figures and NGO officials from across the continent.
In his address, the foundation’s secretary-general for Abant Platform Ibrahim Anli gave a presentation entitled “Hizmet Movement: Interfaith Dialogue and Education for Peace.” The presentation pointed out the movement’s efforts to bring together people of different segments of life wherever religious and ethnic differences evolve into conflicts.
The speakers discussed the lessons drawn from the genocide claiming 1 million lives in 1994 and noted how societal relations were gradually lost back then, in the run-up to the tragic event. They brought up the following social rehabilitation and peacemaking experiences as well. They further proposed ideas for peace in the Republic of South Africa and South Sudan, in particular.
Published [in Turkish] on GYV, 11 August 2014, Monday
Kimse Yok Mu hosts international experts for social media benefits conference
The Kimse Yok Mu (Is Anyone There?) Foundation hosted an international conference titled “Social Media for Good” in Istanbul on Friday, drawing a wide range of international experts in journalism and social media to discuss ways of making positive contributions via the Internet.
Turkish engagement with Southern Africa depends on the Turkish attitude towards Hizmet
Turkish engagement with Southern Africa will not be without challenges. The success of this engagement will depend on the Turkish attitude towards the Hizmet Movement. If Turkey decides to tackle the Hizmet Movement head on as it has done in Turkey and in other countries, it will risk alienation in South Africa and the wider region. The Hizmet Movement is generally popular in Southern Africa, with long standing ties to civil society and the political elite.
On Hizmet exceptionalism
What is perhaps saddest about this witch-hunt is that Hizmet is a priceless resource for any government. It serves without any burden on public funds and efforts. It is a rich source of reliable manpower devoted to selfless service and ready to raise the banner of Turkey, on peaceful terms, alongside the flags of all other nations around the world. Instead of being propelled by this free energy, and benefitting from its resources, the Turkish government acts in jealousy, and tries to destroy it.
German view of Hizmet Movement (2)
Seufert writes the Hizmet movement has arrived in Germany 30 years late, homed in on schooling and education rather than mosques; and that, currently, the number of schools and education centers has reached 24 and 300 respectively. “Gulen Movement is not a threat in Europe. If it was to pose any form of threat, it would be to its members who submit to authoritarian bodies. Yet, there has been no example of anyone forced to stay within the body against his/her will.”
Egyptian Professor: Turkish Schools to Guarantee Global Peace
A conference titled “Turkish Schools established around the world” by Gokkusagi Education Health Culture and Solidarity Association took place in the port city Dortyol in Hatay, Turkey. The highlight of the conference was Mansura University Professor Abdurrahman Al Nakib who commented that Turkish schools raising virtuous students worldwide guarantee global peace in the future. As […]
Mongolian teacher Galimbek’s message
Because we have been unable to become a regular and normal democracy, every generation and every social segment has once been defined as a domestic enemy in different periods. One of the things that the clandestine structures governing the old Turkey did best was to declare part of the people as an internal enemy and to launch effective propaganda to undermine their image in the eyes of the people.
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