"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.
Changing Geopolitics and the Emerging Order of the Middle East: Challenges Ahead, What the Future Holds Workshop
Changing Geopolitics and the Emerging Order of the Middle East: Challenges Ahead, What the Future Holds Workshop, Singapore, January 12, 2017 (Istanbul Policy Center, Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore, and Sasakawa Peace Foundation Joint Event).
There is nothing quite like Tophane: A Case Study of Gentrification in Istanbul
2015/16 Mercator-IPC Fellow Defne Kadıoğlu Polat’s report “‘There is nothing quite like Tophane’: A Case Study of Gentrification in Istanbul” was launched on December 19, 2016 at IPC with the participation of Ayşe Öncü, Emeritus Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Sabancı University, as a discussant.
Changing the Global Security Agenda and Turkey
Director Fuat Keyman gave a speech titled "Changing the Global Security Agenda and Turkey (Küresel Güvenliğin Değişen Gündemi ve Türkiye)" in Uluslararası İlişkiler Konseyi XI Güvenlik Akademisi on December 17, 2016.
Does the EU-Turkey Deal Represent a Model to be Replicated in Other Contexts?
The Initiative and IAI co-organized the seminar titled "Does the EU-Turkey Deal Represent a Model to be Replicated in Other Contexts?" on December 15-16, 2016 at Catania, Italy, as part of the Global Turkey in Europe project in partnership with the Mercator European Dialogue (MED).
Kurdish Question and Democracy after July 15th
IPC organized the workshop titled “Kurdish Question and Democracy after July 15th” as part of the Post-Coup Opportunities on Conflict Resolution and Democracy Project on December 2, 2016 in Ankara. Director Fuat Keyman gave the opening speech, while Senior Scholar & Conflict Resolution and Mediation Stream Coordinator, Bülent Aras, and Conflict Resolution and Mediation Stream Scholar, Pınar Akpınar, were moderators.
Government, Foreign Policy, and Military after July 15th
IPC Researcher Metin Gürcan convened a workshop titled “Government, Foreign Policy, and Military after July 15th” on December 1, 2016 at IPC.
Transforming Conflict and Violence in Somalia through Effective Community Engagement
Within the scope of PEACECAP Project, IPC Researcher Auveen Woods and Senior Scholar Teri Murphy convened and moderated a workshop on “Transforming Conflict and Violence in Somalia through Effective Community Engagement” with participants from the Somali Peace Line (Mogadishu) and the Life and Peace Institute (Nairobi) from November 27 to December 1, 2016 at IPC.