Raffi Sarkissian - Conference at LSE This Evening - ''The State of Democracy in Turkey''

Dear all

Please note details of the conference on Turkey at LSE this evening (The links at the bottom do not work).

I found out about it this morning. It would be an interesting opportunity to explore that direction that the speakers would set in their presentation. 

A democratic approach should be in favour of recognising the rights of non-Turkic people, namely Kurds, Alevis and Armenians. It should make reference to the crimes of previous governments and seek justice by recognising the genocidal policies of their predecessors and set a course for Recognition and Reparation along other social, religious and economic reforms.

A Turkish contact of mine in London who is aware of democratisation programs in Turkey and involved in conflict resolution issues, is not involved in organising this event. I have inquired from a few students at SOAS, UCL and LSE for any additional information they may have.

What would be the true nature of the event, remains to be seen.

Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend due to a very bad head cold.

Hope some of you will be there.

Best wishes

Raffi

Subject: Public Conference: The State of Democracy in Turkey: Institutions, Society and Foreign Relations, 19 March 2015, LSE

Dear all,

You are warmly invited to the public panel entitled “The State of Democracy in Turkey: Institutions, Society and Foreign Relations,” which is organized jointly by LSE Contemporary Turkish Studies, and LSE Middle East Centre. Please find below the details of the event:



Title: “The State of Democracy in Turkey: Institutions, Society and Foreign Relations”

Date: Thursday, 19 March 2015
Time: 18:00-19:30
Venue: NAB.LG.01, Wolfson Theatre, Lower Ground Floor, New Academic Building (NAB), LSE
Speakers:
Professor Deniz Kandiyoti, Emeritus Professor in Development Studies, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)

Professor Talip Kucukcan, Director of the Institute for Middle East Studies, and Professor of Sociology and Religion, Marmara University

Professor Ali Carkoglu, Professor of International Relations, Koc University



Chair: Associate Professor Esra Ozyurek, Associate Professor in Contemporary Turkish Studies at LSE’s European Institute, and Chair for LSE Contemporary Turkish Studies.



Turkish democracy finds itself, in early 2015, at a critical juncture. A spate of elections – municipal, presidential, parliamentary – follow the tumultuous events of Gezi and mark the end of the third AKP term in office. This panel event, co-hosted by the LSE Contemporary Turkish Studies Programme, and LSE Middle East Centre, brings together experts from within and outside Turkey to examine questions on the country’s democracy in an in-depth and comprehensive manner. The panel will explore the question of democracy with respect to the state, its laws and society in all its richness. It will also investigate the manner in which the development of Turkish democracy influences – and is influenced by – the country’s foreign relations. In particular, the focus will be on the achievements and failures of the post-2002 period of Justice and Development Party’s time in government. The ultimate purpose will be to study the question of democracy in Turkey within a broader historical context and reflect on the profound changes undergone by Turkish society and politics.


This event is free and open to all with no ticket or pre-registration required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis. Please find also attached a detailed advert of the event as a PDF document.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.



With many thanks,

Umit Sonmez
Programme Manager
Contemporary Turkish Studies
European Institute
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Room COW.3.02, Cowdray House,
Houghton Street WC2A 2AE
London, United Kingdom

E-mail: u.sonmez@lse.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7955 6067
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7955 7546
Please consider the environment before you print this e-mail


 

Attachments area

Preview attachment 19March2015.The State of Democracy in Turkey.LSE Turkish Studies Public Conference.pdf

19March2015.The State of Democracy in Turkey.LSE Turkish Studies Public Conference.pdf