28th Abant Meeting “Diverse Perspectives on Turkey” to be held in February 2013
Date posted: December 29, 2012
Turkey’s foremost civil intellectual forum, Abant Platform‘s workshop on “Diverse Perspectives on Turkey,” will be held in February 8-10, 2013 in Abant, Bolu.
The Abant Platform is founded as an intellectual forum by the Journalists and Writers Foundation to promote democratic engagement for expanding social consensus and the coexistence of society’s rich cultural resources within a peaceful environment in Turkey.
Within the Abant Platform’s upcoming meeting, nearly 120 intellectuals, journalists and academics from a variety of countries and diverse backgrounds who are currently residing in Turkey will meet their Turkish counterparts and have free discussion on the following topics in 5 separate workshops:
– Identities, Demands and New Citizenship
– Turkey’s Regional Role and Foreign Policy
– EU Negotiation Process and Current Situation
– Problems and Difficulties for the New Constitution
Fear and paranoia still stalk Turkey two months after the failed coup
The official government narrative is everywhere, from the Twitter accounts to the dominance of the state-affiliated and pro-government press and TV in the wake of media crackdowns. The same words and phrases have been repeated endlessly by the AKP and their supporters until they become almost meaningless – Get Gülen. Gülen. Gülen. We are democracy. Democracy. Democracy. That is how it is, and there is no room to consider anything else.
Turkish FM calls on Gülen Movement for dialogue to find way out political crisis
Delivering constructive messages to move away from political crisis over the graft probe, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has invited the Fetullah Gülen movement to engage in “dialogue and a strategic look toward the horizon.”
Turkey’s Intelligentsia Kneels to Erdogan
This selective application of democratic rights by Turkey’s intelligentsia only helps Mr. Erdogan consolidate his power. In their double standards, he finds tacit approval for his purges. Turkey lacks not only sturdy institutions that guarantee a system of checks and balances and the rule of law, but also a critical mass of citizens with the courage and integrity to demand them.
Gulen movement participants have been serving in Iraq Kurdistan for 19 years
Ruşen Çakır If there is a Turkish factor in Iraq Kurdistan (North Iraq), Gulen movement volunteers made an enormous contribution to this for almost 20 years. In spite of terrible conditions, they founded the first [Gulen-inspired] school in 1994 in Arbil. Today they run 18 schools in Iraq Kurdistan, one of which is Ishik University that was founded in 2008. […]
Caucasus analyst Öztarsu: Only dialogue can solve Turkish, Armenian problems
YONCA POYRAZ DOĞAN, İSTANBUL Though Turkey’s relations with Armenia have been strained by a number of historical and political issues, a Turkish Caucasus analyst who lived and studied in Armenia points out in his new book that only dialogue can solve problems. “There is a great panorama of civil society activities, and I can say […]
Scholars: Misconceptions of Islam still abound
SEVGI AKARÇEŞME, İSTANBUL The subject of misconceptions of Islam dominated the debates at the international conference organized by the Foundation of Journalists and Authors (GYV) and Fatih University in İstanbul today. The event, titled “The Practice of Coexistence in Islamic Civilization and Contemporary Interpretations,” started on Friday with the participation of international scholars and leading […]
Latest News
Sacramento leaders gather for Iftar dinner in celebration of Ramadan
SEO Skill Suite: Tools for Keyword Research, Technical & Backlink Analysis
Turkish inmate jailed over alleged Gülen links dies of heart attack in prison
Message of Condemnation and Condolences for Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney
Media executive Hidayet Karaca marks 11th year in prison over alleged links to Gülen movement
ECtHR faults Turkey for convictions of 2,420 applicants over Gülen links in follow-up to 2023 judgment
New Book Exposes Erdoğan’s “Civil Death Project” Targeting the Hizmet Movement
European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests
ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases
In Case You Missed It
Amnesty: Civil society under massive crackdown in Turkey, Gülen movement main target
Journalist reveals inspiring story of Turkish schools in book
Gülen-inspired schools and SMOs
Turkish American ‘balance alignment’
Opposition up in arms over Erdoğan’s badmouthing of Turkish schools abroad during visit to Ethiopia