Zaman zaman bu köşede sivil toplum kuruluşlarının yüzyılın en etkin aktörleri olacağından bahsediyorum. Devlet ve bürokrasiyi dengeleyen, toplumun taleplerini çeşitli kanallar ile karar alma ve politika belirleme makamlarına ulaştıran bu örgütler çağdaş demokrasilerin vazgeçilmez kurumları arasında yer alıyor. Bu bir anlamda şu demektir: Sivil toplum örgütleri ne kadar güçlü olursa, talepleri dile getirmek ve hakları elde etme girişiminde bulunmak ta o kadar etkili olacak demektir. Sivil toplumun (dernek, vakıf, sendika vb) zayıf olduğu toplumlarda ise insanlar doğru dürüst ne taleplerini yetkili makamlara duyurabilir ne de ne haklarını elde edebilir.
İngiltere’deki Türk sivil toplum kuruluşları sayısı hayli fazla. Türkler örgütleşme bakımından diğer topluluklara göre daha etkin bir görüntü veriyor. Ancak bu sivil kuruluşların ne kadarı etkin çalışıyor ne kadarı sadece tabela örgütünden ibaret bilinmiyor. Bu konuda bildiğim kadarıyla ciddi bir araştırma yapılmadı.
İşte bu alanda bir araştırma yapmak amacıyla bir araştırma projesi geliştirdim. Yazın uygulamaya koymayı planladığım bu araştırmada, İngiltere’deki (dernek, vakıf, federasyon, ve çatı kuruluşları gibi adlarla anılan) Türk sivil kuruluşlarının örgüt ve üyelik yapısı, amaç ve etkinlikleri ile Türk ve Avrupa kimliğine ilişkin değerlendirmelerine ilişkin bilgiler toplamaya ve bunları yorumlamaya çalışacağım. Araştırmanın yöntem olarak iki boyutu olacak. Biri araştırmaya katılmayı kabul eden kurumlar üzerinde bir anket uygulaması olacak. Diğeri ise bu kuruluşşarın yetkilileri, uzmanlar, gözlemciler ve medya mensupları ile derinlikli görüşmeler yapılacak. Elde edilen bilgiler yorumlanarak İngiltere’de Türk Sivil Toplum Kuruluşları Haritası çıkarılacak.
Araştırmanın temel amacı, İngiltere örneğinden hareketle Avrupa’daki Türk sivil toplumu örgütlerinin Türkiye’nin Avrupa Birliği’ne katılım sürecinde yaratabileceği pozitif katkıları tespit etmek, Türkiye - Avrupa Birliği yakınlaşmasında bu tür kurumlara düşen rolleri belirlemek ve bu yönde atılacak adımların ve takip edilecek politikaların belirlenmesine katkıda bulunmak. Araştırma, İngiltere’deki Türk sivil toplum kuruluşlarının siyasal partiler, kamu kuruluşları, basın ve yayın organları ile eğitim kurumlarında Türkiye lehinde kamuoyu yaratma potansiyelinin nasıl formüle edileceğine ve bunun için hangi yöntemlere başvurulması gerektiğine ve ne tür somut projeler geliştirilmesine ilişkin öneriler sunmayı da amaçlıyor.
Yazın yapmayı planladığım araştırma ayrıca çeşitli alanlarda etkinlik yürüten İngiltere Türk sivil kuruluşlarının oluşturduğu toplumsal sermaye ve sosyal ağların potansiyel gücünü ve bu gücün Türkiye-AB ilişkilerine yapıcı bir şekilde yansımasının yöntemlerini tespit etmeyi amaçlamakta ve disiplinler arası bir yaklaşımla konuyla ilgili bilimsel tartışmalara katkıda bulunmayı hedefliyor. Diğer yandan bu araştırma Türkiye-AB ilişkileri çerçevesinde uzun vadeli politikaların belirlenmesinde karar verme mekanizmasında olan siyaset adamı, bürokrat ve uzmanlara doğru ve güvenilir bilgiler sunmayı amaçlıyor.
Araştırma İngiltere’deki Türk topluluğun kimlik algısı ve aidiyet tutumlarını, AB kimliğine ne anlam yüklediklerini, kendilerini AB kültür birikimi içerisinde nasıl konumlandırdıklarını, kimlik sürtüşmelerine nasıl baktıklarını, kendi anlam dünyalarını nasıl inşa ettiklerini ve varoluşsal sorunlar karşısında geliştirdikleri söylem biçimlerini göstermeyi, sivil toplum kuruluşlarının modern toplumların en etkin siyasi baskı ve toplumsal değişim aktörleri arasında yer aldığı günümüzde İngiltere’deki deki Türk topluluğun örgütlenme biçimlerinin temsil, siyasal katılım, sosyal ağ ve toplumsal kapital açısından taşıdığı potansiyeli göstermeyi amaçlıyor.
Bahsettiğim araştırma projesi kısmen TÜBİTAK tarafından desteklenecek. Ancak anket ve detaylı görüşmelerin yapılması ve kayıt çözümlemelerinin tamamlanması ilave desteği gerektiriyor. Bu nedenle konuya ilgi duyan kurumların desteğine ihtiyacımız olacak. Böyle bir destek olmadan araştırmanın bitmesi zor görünüyor. Bu amaçla bizim ilk başvuracağımız makam Türkiye’nin Londra Büyükelçiliği olacak.
8 Şubat 2007 Perşembe
Search for A Strategic Partnership: Russia and Islamic World”
Russia and the Islamic World explore various fields of co-operation in the context of a changing international environment wherein a search for new allies and strategic partners are an ongoing reality. In order to facilitate discussions on possible avenues of partnership, Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World” consisting high level members from Russia and some OIV countries was formed few years ago. The Third Meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World” was convened on February 2-3, 2007 in Istanbul, Turkey. Participants included distinguished representatives from Russian Federation and OIC member countries. H.E. Mintimier Shamiev, President of the Republic of Tatarstan and H.E. Yaşar Yakış, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey have co-chaired the meeting. H.E. Mintimier Shamiev, President of the Republic of Tatarstan gave the opening address to the 3rd meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World”. He stated that Istanbul as the venue of the meeting is not only a beautiful city but also a center of various symbols rooted in history. H.E. Mintimier Shamiev pointed out that religion has returned and experienced a revival at the present time. A similar process took place in Tatarstan but this has not caused divisions in society as happened elsewhere. Islam, with its emphasis on spirituality and justice can play a role in the regeneration of Europe. The task for us, he said, should not be limited to the question of what we understand from religion. Rather, we should ask as ourselves how we can contribute to religion and how we can transform out outlook. Islam is not against progress and scientific developments.
Participants addressed a number of timely and important questions which might have repercussions for Russia and the Muslim World. It has been argued that the group as a forum contributing to Russia-Muslim World relations has three essential foundations and objectives defined as Geographical, Cultural/Historical and Political. Geographical foundation indicates that Russia is in near proximity to the Muslim World and has a unique position having a vast geographical relation with Muslim countries. Cultural foundation refers to the mixture of ethnicities, demography, arts and cultures between Russia and the Muslim world starting from 9/10th centuries. Cultural relations have enabled Russians to develop a better understanding of Muslims. Political foundation indicates that Russia is a global power and strategic partner for the Muslim World. From cold war onwards, Russia has maintained constructive relations with the Muslim World. It has also been asserted that the forum has objectives on three levels: Global, Regional and Domestic. Global objective is to contribute to civilizational dialogue, peace and mutual understanding especially in the post 9/11 era. Regional objective is to contribute to the solution of regional problems and establish sustainable peace in the Balkans, the Middles East, Caucasia and Central Asia. Domestic objective is to improve working relations with Muslims living in Russia and enable them to be a bridge between Russia and the larger Muslim world. Participants pointed out that for the perspectives and objectives outlined above, Russia’s relations with the Muslims World as an observer state in the OIC is an important institutional link between the two sides.
Participants pointed out that the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World” has already started to make an impact as an important project to improve international and regional tolerance. It has been stressed that this project is a meaningful enterprise to strengthen dialogue between Christianity and Islam in general and Russia and the Muslim world in particular. In this context Russia’s a legacy of the co-existence of different ethnicities, nations and religions is underlined as a significant historical experience which could facilitate easing tensions between the West and the Muslim World. Participants underlined the fact that the world today has numerous problems. Honesty and sincerity are lacking as vital qualities in international relations and the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World” is expected to revive such qualities.
Participants pointed out that Russian relations with the Muslim world are anchored in geography, culture and history. It is stated that the 3rd meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World” took place at a critical moment when Muslim are facing a number of challenges such as underdevelopment, political conflicts and foreign interventions. Israeli-Palestinian conflict and crisis in Iraq cause a great concern for all. Moreover, racism, xenophobia and Islamphobia are on the increase that needs to be tackled effectively. It is stated that consultation of the OIC member states with Russia on the solutions of such problems is an important enterprise. Another concern is establishing relations with the host countries of Muslim minorities. Russia has a long history and experience in this regard which developed closer relations with Muslims on shared grounds. Russian-Muslim relations have gone through different stages. Now the establishment of closer co-operation between Russia and OIC member states is important to resolve conflicts and to promote dialogue. In this context Russia can play an important role as a bridge between the Islamic World and the West.
Participants called for concrete project proposals in order to make improvement drawing upon the progress of the previous meetings. It is stressed that many people frequently discuss Huntington’s thesis of the clash of civilizations but no further action is taken. Therefore it is time to talk about new principles and concrete projects to carry on. It is stated that an action plan should be accepted and projects such as publication of a book on tolerance and on the life of Prophet of Islam, education of young people, training of journalists, publication of an online journal and a creation of a website to disseminate views of the Group should be launched. For an effective administration, Participants proposed the establishment an Executive Committee from High Level Group to supervise the work of the Group and a Secretary to facilitate communication.
Participants addressed a number of timely and important questions which might have repercussions for Russia and the Muslim World. It has been argued that the group as a forum contributing to Russia-Muslim World relations has three essential foundations and objectives defined as Geographical, Cultural/Historical and Political. Geographical foundation indicates that Russia is in near proximity to the Muslim World and has a unique position having a vast geographical relation with Muslim countries. Cultural foundation refers to the mixture of ethnicities, demography, arts and cultures between Russia and the Muslim world starting from 9/10th centuries. Cultural relations have enabled Russians to develop a better understanding of Muslims. Political foundation indicates that Russia is a global power and strategic partner for the Muslim World. From cold war onwards, Russia has maintained constructive relations with the Muslim World. It has also been asserted that the forum has objectives on three levels: Global, Regional and Domestic. Global objective is to contribute to civilizational dialogue, peace and mutual understanding especially in the post 9/11 era. Regional objective is to contribute to the solution of regional problems and establish sustainable peace in the Balkans, the Middles East, Caucasia and Central Asia. Domestic objective is to improve working relations with Muslims living in Russia and enable them to be a bridge between Russia and the larger Muslim world. Participants pointed out that for the perspectives and objectives outlined above, Russia’s relations with the Muslims World as an observer state in the OIC is an important institutional link between the two sides.
Participants pointed out that the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World” has already started to make an impact as an important project to improve international and regional tolerance. It has been stressed that this project is a meaningful enterprise to strengthen dialogue between Christianity and Islam in general and Russia and the Muslim world in particular. In this context Russia’s a legacy of the co-existence of different ethnicities, nations and religions is underlined as a significant historical experience which could facilitate easing tensions between the West and the Muslim World. Participants underlined the fact that the world today has numerous problems. Honesty and sincerity are lacking as vital qualities in international relations and the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World” is expected to revive such qualities.
Participants pointed out that Russian relations with the Muslim world are anchored in geography, culture and history. It is stated that the 3rd meeting of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia-Islamic World” took place at a critical moment when Muslim are facing a number of challenges such as underdevelopment, political conflicts and foreign interventions. Israeli-Palestinian conflict and crisis in Iraq cause a great concern for all. Moreover, racism, xenophobia and Islamphobia are on the increase that needs to be tackled effectively. It is stated that consultation of the OIC member states with Russia on the solutions of such problems is an important enterprise. Another concern is establishing relations with the host countries of Muslim minorities. Russia has a long history and experience in this regard which developed closer relations with Muslims on shared grounds. Russian-Muslim relations have gone through different stages. Now the establishment of closer co-operation between Russia and OIC member states is important to resolve conflicts and to promote dialogue. In this context Russia can play an important role as a bridge between the Islamic World and the West.
Participants called for concrete project proposals in order to make improvement drawing upon the progress of the previous meetings. It is stressed that many people frequently discuss Huntington’s thesis of the clash of civilizations but no further action is taken. Therefore it is time to talk about new principles and concrete projects to carry on. It is stated that an action plan should be accepted and projects such as publication of a book on tolerance and on the life of Prophet of Islam, education of young people, training of journalists, publication of an online journal and a creation of a website to disseminate views of the Group should be launched. For an effective administration, Participants proposed the establishment an Executive Committee from High Level Group to supervise the work of the Group and a Secretary to facilitate communication.
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