"Effective Policy Relevance and Advocacy "
2016/17 Mercator-IPC Senior Fellow Gerald Knaus convened a workshop on “Effective Policy Relevance and Advocacy” that brought together project coordinators/ managers at Stiftung Mercator and project partner institutions to discuss possible ways of making theoretical research and knowledge produced outside of research more policy relevant and impactful. The workshop was convened on March 20, 2017 in ESI Berlin.
IKV-IPC Roundtable on Turkey-EU Relations
In coordination with the Economic Development Foundation (IKV), IPC organized the “IKV-IPC Roundtable on Turkey-EU Relations” on March 17, 2017 at the Brussels Representative of IKV.
Inclusive Growth and Political Reconciliation after July 15th
The workshop titled "Inclusive Growth and Political Consensus after July 15," organized by IPC Conflict Resolution and Mediation Program Project Manager Pınar Akpınar, was held on March 3, 2017 in Diyarbakır.
Inclusive Growth and Political Consensus after July 15th Workshop
IPC Project Manager of Conflict Resolution and Mediation Stream Pınar Akpınar convened the workshop titled “Inclusive Growth and Political Consensus after July 15th” on March 3, 2017 at Diyarbakır.Cevdet Yılmaz, Minister of Development from 2011 to 2015 and the current Deputy Head of Publicity & Media of AKP and IPC Director Fuat Keyman gave the keynote speeches. The workshop was based on activities, which were coordinated by Pınar Akpınar. IPC Conflict Resolution and Mediation Stream Coordinator Bülent Aras, and IPC Researchers Derya Berk, Altay Atlı, and Ayşe Köse were participants at the workshop.The workshop was organized as part of the ‘Post-Coup Opportunities on Conflict Resolution and Democracy’ project, managed by Pınar Akpınar, which aims to identify what can be done to harness post-coup dynamics to help address the Kurdish issue and polarization in Turkey; and, influence policy-makers to adopt those recommendations. The project provides a platform to increase awareness and enhance dialogue through conflict identification, analysis and resolution by conducting field research, organizing workshops, analysing data, promoting discussion, and disseminating information.
"How Schools' Institutional Habitus Shape the Educational Achievement of Children from Working-Class Ethnic Minority and Immigrant Backgrounds: A Comparative Case Study in Germany and Turkey "
2015/16 Mercator-IPC Fellow Çetin Çelik’s report How Schools’ Institutional Habitus Shape the Educational Achievement of Children from Working-Class Ethnic Minority and Immigrant Backgrounds: A Comparative Case Study in Germany and Turkey was launched on Monday, February 27, 2017 at IPC. Kenan Çayır, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities from Istanbul Bilgi University, participated as a discussant.
"Reducing Emissions from the Road Transport Sector in Turkey: The Role of Restructured Vehicle Taxes and Congestion Pricing "
The Initiative convened a panel titled “Reducing Emissions from the Road Transport Sector in Turkey: The Role of Restructured Vehicle Taxes and Congestion Pricing” on February 17, 2017 at IPC. The panel was moderated by Climate Studies Coordinator Ümit Şahin, while Associate Professor at Istanbul Bilgi University Ayşe Uyduranoğlu and 2015/16 Mercator-IPC Fellow and Managing Director at the International Council on Clean Transportation Peter Mock participated as panelists.
"Reading John Stuart Mill in Istanbul: A Conversation with Timothy Garton Ash "
The Initiative and the Hrant Dink Foundation/Asulis Discourse, Dialogue, Democracy Laboratory convened the panel “Reading John Stuart Mill in Istanbul: A Conversation with Timothy Garton Ash” on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at IPC. The panel was moderated by Fuat Keyman, Director of Istanbul Policy Center and Professor of International Relations at Sabancı University. Timothy Garton Ash, Professor of European Studies at University of Oxford and the author of Free Speech: Ten Principles for a Connected World; Ayşe Kadıoğlu, Professor of Political Science at Sabancı University; Yaman Akdeniz, Professor of Law at Istanbul Bilgi University; and Zeynep Arslan, Project Coordinator at Hrant Dink Foundation, participated as speakers.
Reforming Turkey: Institution Building after July 15th
The workshop titled "Reform in Turkey: Institutional Restructuring after July 15," organized by IPC Conflict Resolution and Mediation Program Project Manager Pınar Akpınar and IPC Conflict Resolution and Mediation Program Researcher Derya Berk, was held on January 18, 2017 at IPC.
"Reforming Turkey: Institution Building After July 15th "
IPC Project Manager of Conflict Resolution and Mediation Stream Pınar Akpınar and Conflict Resolution and Mediation Stream Researcher Derya Berk convened the workshop titled “Reforming Turkey: Institution Building After July 15th” on January 18, 2017 at IPC Karaköy.Turkey has been faced with a number of challenges since the failed coup attempt of July 15th. One of the greatest ones has been the weakening of its state institutions as a result of the decades old deployment of ‘parallel structures’ within these institutions as well as the massive wave of expulsions on the aftermath of the coup. ‘Reforming Turkey: Institution Building after July 15th’ identified and analyzed the key conflicts and challenges for institution building in the course of the post-coup period and offer possible solutions in order to contain polarization and foster inclusive democracy. Designed in an interactive format, the workshop brought together scholars and experts from diverse backgrounds and come up with solid policy recommendations for key stakeholders.
Polarization, Consensus and Democracy After July 15th
IPC Project Manager of Conflict Resolution and Mediation Stream Pınar Akpınar and Conflict Resolution and Mediation Stream Researcher Derya Berk convened the workshop titled “Polarization, Consensus and Democracy After July 15th” on January 17, 2017 at IPC Karaköy.Turkey has been experiencing an increased level of polarization in recent years. The 15 July 2016 coup attempt has left Turkey in a state of further uncertainty and deepened existing social and political dichotomies within the country. ‘Polarization, Consensus and Democracy after July 15th Workshop’ identified and analyzed the key conflicts that challenge the consolidation of Turkish democracy in the course of the post-coup period and offer possible solutions in order to contain polarization and foster inclusive democracy. A positive consequence of the coup attempt has been the emergence of a broad public consensus among different factions of the society on civilian rule as an undisputed norm. The workshop also explored opportunities vis-à-vis the sustainability of this rare atmosphere of unity by promoting dialogue. Designed in an interactive format, the workshop brought together scholars and experts from diverse backgrounds and come up with solid policy recommendations for key stakeholders.
"New Directions in European Cooperation in Turkey "
The Initiative organized a report discussion for 2017 Mercator-IPC Visiting Senior Fellow Richard Youngs’ forthcoming report “New Directions in European Cooperation in Turkey” on January 17, 2017 at IPC.
Changing Geopolitics and the Emerging Order of the Middle East: Challenges Ahead, What the Future Holds
Istanbul Policy Center (IPC), with the support of Sasakawa Peace Foundation of Japan and the Middle East Institute at National University, organized an international conference on the geopolitics and the emerging order of the Middle East after the Arab uprisings. The event brought together scholars from across the globe from Turkey to Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. Within the context of the contemporary developments of the Middle East, conference participants analysed the shifting geopolitical strategies of particular nations, investigated the evolution of a new regional order at the macro level, and the focused on the role of the Gulf region within the larger context of the Middle East. IPC research associates Pınar Akpınar and Altay Atlı each made a presentation at the conference and Bülent Aras, senior scholar and coordinator of IPC’s conflict resolution and mediation stream, shared his thoughts with the audience through teleconferencing.