September 2006
From top left: Murat Yetkin, ’04, Turkey, congratulates Nezir Kirdar, ’57, Iraq and Turkey, on his AAC emeritus title; MNP ’04 Fellows reunite with Nezir Kirdar; President Demirel delivers closing remarks; Kellogg and Eisenhower Fellows in harmony
Istanbul Conference Pronounced a Success!
The Istanbul conference convened by former Turkish President Suleyman Demirel (EF ’54) September 10-12 was, by all accounts, a smashing success.
The conference’s theme – Building Networks for Change: Europe and the Middle East – could not have been more timely in light of current world events and the five-year anniversary of September 11. Although billed as a regional conference, the strength of the program, and the attractions of this beautiful city on the Bosporus, ended up attracting nearly 300 people from around the world, including 188 Fellows and spouses, as well fifteen Trustees. As one Fellow described the “vibes,” “I know of no other organization that manages to create such a warm and friendly family atmosphere with the feeling that your fellow Fellows are indeed your friends.”
The Turkish Fellows, directed by Nezir Kirdar (EF ’57), went all out to create an exceptional event. Speakers included Britain’s minister for European affairs, NATO’s representative in Afghanistan, Jordan’s minister of planning and international cooperation, Turkey’s minister of energy and natural resources, the Islamic Conference’s secretary general, the Danish minister of education and religious affairs, and a number of prominent Eisenhower Fellows, including Monica Macovei, ’97, Romania’s justice minister (who spoke especially eloquently of her anti-corruption efforts in that country).
President Demirel also addressed the conference twice and was present throughout the entire event. An important point he made was to refute the idea of “clash of civilizations.” Quoting Ataturk, he said we are one civilization. He spoke of the universal values including democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, noting that there is legitimate debate on how such concepts are defined and the rate at which they are achieved. But, he said, the “clash” exists between those who accept and those who reject these universals that have been accepted by more than 120 countries worldwide.
Many important discussions took place in small-group workshops included in the program, as well as in a special pre-conference gathering of 23 Kellogg and Eisenhower Fellows from the U.S. and Middle East. The Kellogg-Eisenhower discussion resulted in a statement declaring a joint initiative for justice and peace with a commitment to work together “to promote interfaith, intercultural, and international dialogue leading to increased understanding.”
Beyond the formal conference settings, Fellows were treated to extraordinary social events, including a Bosporus cruise at sunset, dinner on the coastline of Asia Minor, in the garden of Topkapi Museum, and at the villa of the Ottoman Empire’s last Prime Minister on the edge of the Bosporus.
In short, this was an excellent networking opportunity on subjects of contemporary concern, with superb speakers, expertly staged, and taking full advantage of Istanbul’s, and Turkey’s, historic position at the crossroads of cultures.
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