MARMARA GROUP FOUNDATION IS A SMALL EXAMPLE OF GLOBALISATION

 

As a peace and dialogue initiative, Marmara Group Foundation continues its efforts since 1985.

Marmara Group Foundation as a possessor of civil thought philosophy is a force that strives to produce common solutions to common problems through creating campaigns to pressure decision making organs.

Accordingly it is one of the new geopolitical actors of globalization.

Furthermore, it is an institution that is widely recognized by the international civil initiative realm and it is an important part of the international relations system and the today's geopolitical structure This evaluation might be a little exaggeration but the fact that civil society organizations are amongst the important geopolitical actors in today's world is beyond doubt.

With a broader assessment Marmara Group Foundation regards participation as an important intellectual area of social transformation. We believe participation is the main principle of globalization and democracy.

As Marmara Group Foundation we also believe that global thinking creates an intellectual sphere within the values of civil society. Therefore, the existence of civil society, combined with globalization has now become one of the tools of sustainable democracy and economic development and hence the progress.

Long before the appearance and acceptance of globalization, on February 27, 1950 in its resolution 288-B, United Nations Economic and Social Council states those civil society organizations can attend UN operations as ''organizations external to the intra-governmental agreements''.

With the appearance of globalization, civil initiatives in today's world, bypassing all ethnic and national borders, became effective in almost any area of the structure of the international system such as economic, social, political, cultural and communicative.

The globalization's perception of civil society organization within the framework of contemporary geopolitics varies.

Civil society organizations can be evaluated in two groups depending on their effectiveness power.

-Civil society organizations effective in a given country,

-Civil society organizations effective in the international arena and have the power to influence many countries domestic issues as well as international matters.

The civil society organizations that are effective in the international arena are generally related to issues such as humanitarian situations, human rights, environment and economic integration.

For example, Doctors Without Borders, Journalists Without Borders, Amnesty International, Freedom House, International Transparency Organization, Greenpeace and Femen are organizations that fitting to this category.

Civil society organizations as the one of the new actors of globalization are now indispensable elements of the international arena.

In other words, globalization can be understood as the increasing bonds between the civil society organizations. The increased connection of people in the globe will cause technological, cultural, intellectual and communicative bonds to be increased as well.

In a globalized world the incidents and processes that are threatening the humanity should be dealt with in the universal dimensions of civil thought based on scientific foundation and with a serious global approach rather than broad geopolitical framework.

Only this sort of approach can ensure that civil society organizations reach to more efficient, more responsible structure.

Now the globalization is being transformed into the new realm of the social life.

For example before governance meant the state alone. State still makes the rules, but in a more globalized world the meaning of governance is no longer imply solely the state alone.

Participation and the opinions of the civil society started to influence the state decision making mechanisms. And states started to show tendencies of change. Now many states are paying attention to what global civil society organization have to say. They are being forced to take the suggestions of IMF, European Court of Human Rights and United Nations into consideration.

With this plural centered governance and the human rights demands, the votes of their sympathizers are not being enough for governments to stay in power.

Governance in globalization is democratic as long as governments share their decision making authority with their people. Civil society is democratic to a degree that it is effected from this regulations and as long as it can decide about those regulations.

In a country where globalization is experienced, if there is a democracy than the decisions are being made in consultation with the civil society organizations. Democratic governance is an indication of extended role of the civil society just as it is an indication for globalization.

Democratic governance which is one of the outcomes of globalization means openness, transparency and accountability. Therefore it means civil society organizations to bring the decision makers to account.

The realization of all these can only be possible if the citizens can be aware of the surrounding they live within and become individuals.

How can they can participate to the governance if they are not?

The fact that we know is, as a society we do not know a lot about globalization and governance. It is not being taught at universities, let alone schools. Media and the institutions tied to the administration do not enlighten us sufficiently either.

That is our primary problem! An individual that cannot be globalized with his citizen ignorance!

If we, the civil society organizations want a more democratic globalization, we must qualitatively and quantitatively strengthen our institutions, but first we must learn and educate ourselves.

 

MORE DIALOGUE 

More dialogue, more trade, more contact and more acceptance will bring stability to the region. This is nothing more than a natural approach of globalization. If the scale of the globalization is determined by dialogue, global thinking might bare some meaning.

The global trade can grow with dialogue.

The global wealth can be realized with dialogue.

The prosperity is proportionate with dialogue.

To ensure peace without prosperity, wealth and trade is nothing but an utopia.

How can we draw the borders of a richer, happier, and more kind Balkans? For the unity of the Balkans is the source of the stability of Europe. We should look for the ways for a more democratic, free and sincere Balkans with dialogue without thinking small and imprisoning our minds to narrow templates.

Yes, for peace, for living together what we need is dialogue, and more dialogue.

 

WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO PEACE 

As Marmara Group Foundation we attach great importance to peace.

For the future of humanity the importance of peace outweighs every other aspect.

We wish to emphasize Great Atatürk's ''Peace at home. Peace abroad'' philosophy.

''Peace at home, peace abroad'' philosophy first enabled Ataturk's Turkey to triumph in the War of Independence, and gain a modern structure. On foreign relations, it has make Turkey earn the respect of all of the international community. This philosophy is the most noble and sententious foreign policy doctrine that has descended from Atatürk's Turkey to modern times. It is not just a doctrine for Turkey, it also shows a direction that is viable for all the nations of the world.

The domestic side of the ''Peace at home, peace abroad'' philosophy gives states the duty of creating a modern political, economic and social structure in their societies. A permanent civil peace can only be achieved this way. This doesn't constitute states' duties not only to their own nation but to the international community as well.

The external side of the ''Peace at home, peace abroad'' philosophy is especially shoulders these following two responsibilities: Loyalty and subordination to the rule of law and contribution to regional-international cooperation. ''Loyalty to Law'' is the principal condition of peace. The law of the international community is the international law. Alas, the international law has not been developed as the domestic law; because international community has not been well formed and institutionalized as national communities. International law is the not-so-well developed law of primitive level international community. Secondly, states do not wish to resolve their the majority of international conflicts through international law and take their cases to courts. International judicial mechanisms mostly consist of the citizens of different countries while the perpetrator countries are at present through judges or referees. This is the main reason why the states do not wish to take their cases to the international courts. International law, despite its short comings, is in a process of progress. The duty falls on the international community is to consistently contribute to this progress.

 

THE SERVICES OF THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC SUMMITS ON THE WAY TO PEACE ARE GREAT 

As Marmara Group Foundation we believe that the peace can only be achieved through prosperity. And prosperity is based on the commerce and cooperation we establish with our neighbors. We believe in the importance of examining the strength and weaknesses of the trade between countries. We should remember that if we can overcome the current challenges we can benefit from the great potentials. With this regard, we strongly believe that the Eurasian Economic Summits we are organizing can significantly increase the cooperation to that end.

In the past days we have initiated intense and productive meetings with countless countries within the framework of our efforts of dialogue. We believe there even more potential for further strengthening cooperation among countries through dialogue with our civil society identity.

As Marmara Group Foundation we believe the strengthening of the cooperation among countries with our civil society identity will prevent aspects like misunderstanding and conflict to harm strategic relations.

 

EUROPEAN UNION IS THE PROJECT OF OUR AGE 

Marmara Group Foundation has always been a strong advocate of European Union integration process. Marmara Group Foundation is loyal to the European values and standards. Turkey's renewed embracement of reforms that will bring us closer to EU is our greatest wish.

European values are a way of thought that enhanced and preserved multiculturalism and ensured European Integration after World War II. This philosophy has appeared in the unique conditions of post-war era and urged the formation of today’s integrated Europe. For that, the association of European Union, a peace and prosperity project has been deemed worthy of 2012 Nobel Peace Prize.

Marmara Group Foundation sees the project of European Union as the project of the century. In accordance, considers Turkey’s European Union approach as an indispensable principle. European Union, yet represents a continental sense of integrity will become a global concept through integration with Turkey.

We believe; that if Turkey is not with Europe, tomorrow will be against it and then there might be terrible economic and even cultural conflicts between the idealist Europe and walking in her own way Turkey.

We now see clearly; the danger awaits us today is a much greater one than the danger of ‘armed conflict’. And it is obvious that we cannot prevent it with known foreign policy maneuvers and intelligence games.

Multiculturalism and tolerance for multiculturalism is the issue of our age. It is a danger and a threat as well as richness! For that, the world order once forged with the philosophy of democracy, equality and independence, is today at its most fragile and delicate phase.

President of the United States of America Barack Obama, in his victory speech after the Presidential Elections stated that the greatest wealth of United States is its multi-cultural structure. This is the most valid measurement of value of today. For that I believe, the perspective of European Union is essential for the peaceful survival of multiculturalism and I think that Turkey’s need for EU is no less than EU’s need for Turkey.

With Turkey’s EU accession, the values of Europe and the riches of Asia will come together side by side through west-east synthesis. This new mind set will spontaneously create a dialectic outcome which will precipitate the integration. Because European Union is a peace project shaped by universal values, with Turkey’s membership it will contribute to world peace and become a global actor to realize its dialectic.

 

RELATIONS WITH AZERBAJIAN ARE EXEMPLARY RELATIONS 

Today the bilateral relations of Turkey and Azerbaijan are the foundation of the peace in the Caucasus. The solidarity between Turkey and Azerbaijan is of an exemplary scale. The President of Azerbaijan made his first visit to Turkey following his election. Turkey's Prime Minister has also made his first visit to Azerbaijan in April following the elections. This tradition shows us the high level of the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

The infrastructure for their vision of future of these two countries, whose trading volume exceeds 15 billion USD, is constantly becoming stronger. The goals of Azerbaijan's investments in Turkey are extremely significant. TANAP is the most important of them all.

We regard TANAP, technically the second biggest project in the world, as an opportunity for both Turkey and Azerbaijan. This project is a revolution in the energy history of Eurasia. It is thought that the gas deficit of Europe will reach 600 billion cubic meters by the year 2035. This deficit will be covered by TANAP and accordingly our country will become a center for energy. With first gas flow will be expected to be in the beginning of 2019, this project will have a role in the energy security of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Europe and the Balkans.

The South Gas Corridor on the other hand, which will add a new dimension to the energy geopolitics that shapes the energy map of Eurasia, has the potential to become the primary pipeline not only for the Caspian gas but also for Eastern Mediterranean, Turkmenistan and Northern Iraq gas as well.

The economic value that the Shah Deniz Project, another project between Turkey and Azerbaijan, is expected to exceed 200 billion USD in 25 years.

With Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, the gas carried by TANAP will be conveyed to Greece, Albania and Italy and then to the European markets. All these projects are the great successes of Azerbaijan Turkey relations.

Another indications to the strong ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey are Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline, Baku-Tblisi-Kars railroad and Erzurum Shah Deniz projects.

The unity and solidarity between Turkey and Azerbaijan in the political, economic, military, cultural, commercial fields is not just important for us but also for the future of the Caucasus as well. The solidarity and fraternity between Turkey and Azerbaijan will continue with same determination. Both sides are confident about this.

The Nagorno-Karabagh issue of Azerbaijan is Turkey's red line. ''Turkish government will continue its determined attitude on this issue just as it did before.'' These words are officially said by the Prime Minister of Turkey during his last visit to Azerbaijan.

Turkey perceives Azerbaijan's success as its own and Azerbaijan perceives Turkey's success as its own. We feel joy together and we are very happy that today Turkey Azerbaijan relations are in the phase of dynamic progress. We want to set an example to all Caucasus with working in field as friends and brothers.

 

SILK ROAD IS A PHILOSOPHY 

As Marmara Group Foundation we attach great importance to the relations with People's Republic of China. Up until today we have officially visited PR China four times.

On April 11, 2012 we have signed a memorandum of understanding with the China Foundation for Human Rights Development.

On April 8 2013 we have signed a cooperation agreement with China Association for International Friendly Contact.

People's Republic of China annually attends our Eurasian Economic Summits with distinguished delegations. We want to specifically emphasize the importance of the People's Republic of China's attendance with the delegation chaired by H.E. Li Zhaoxing for us.

Furthermore, we have conducted a very productive meeting with Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament on June 14, 2013 at Istanbul Hilton Hotel.

Our first visit has taken place on January 23, 2009 upon the invitation of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.  We have complied to this invitation with Mrs. Müjgan Suver, Mr. Cengiz Güldamlası and Mrs. Mine Güldamlası. This was a very productive and astonishing visit.

For the second time, Dr. Akkan Suver to Chongqing as compliance to the invitation of 2^nd Global Foundations Summit Forum and delivered a speech in this event about the Turkish civil initiative.

The third time on behalf of Marmara Group Foundation, Mr. Cafer Okray have attended the G-20 Think Tanks Forum on August 22 2013. He made a presentation in order to bring Turkey-China relations and G-20's role in the agenda in the meeting he has attended as the invitee of Chongyang Institute of Finance of Remnin University.

Between December 6 to December 12, 2013 as Marmara Group Foundation we have realized another visit to People's Republic of China. In this visit the delegation consisted of Dr. Akkan Suver, Müjgan Suver, Engin Köklüçınar, Şamil Ayrım, Gülhan Ayrım, Yüksel Çengel, Ayfer Çengel, Fatih Saraçoğlu, Ertuğrul Kumcuoğlu, Ümran Kumcuoğlu, Cahit Karakullukçu, Ayşe Deniz Karakullukçu and Aslı Yanardağ. In PR China we had meetings with Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament, China Council for Promotion of International Trade, Center for Eurasian Strategic Studies of Tsinghua University, International Cooperation Center of the National Reform and Development Commission and State Ethnic Affairs Committee of the People's Republic of China. Here we stated our ideas that show the enlightened face of Turkey and aiming the further strengthening of Turkey PR China relations.

As Marmara Group Foundation, we attach great importance to the revival of the Silk Road. We accepted the Silk Road as a philosophy. When this philosophy has been realized, it will play an important role in reinforcing and solidifying the friendship among the countries and peace and it will unite the Pacific Ocean and the Baltic Sea.

Agreements on connecting Central Asia with Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf and simplifying commerce and investments will be made and cooperation will enhance.

Constituting the Silk Road economy and peace line will open a new door into long term good neighbor relations, friendships and new economical cooperation.

As Marmara Group Foundation we believe that; People of Silk Road countries showed an example of proverbial friendship throughout history. Mutual benefit and trust in the basis of common advantage, equality, tolerance and sharing of experience are characteristics of Silk Road. We can re- actualize Silk Road line for concentrating economical relations between Europe and Asia and deepening cooperation.

Silk Road line, which includes nearly 3 billion populations, has great and unique potential.

In short, we believe that with the embracing of principles that protects differences and responsibility the quality and pace of regional commerce can be increased and common gains and benefits can be achieved.

 

BALKAN UNION IS THE SOURCE OF EUROPE'S STABILITY

Marmara Group Foundation has been carefully and elaborately organizing activities regarding the Balkans. For the living of the peace and the continuity of prosperity and stability is value measurement for the Marmara Group Foundation. These values and goals will light the way for humanity in the future as it has done in the past.

Until recently in this region there were Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Yugoslavia and Turkey. The Balkans with 6 countries today reached a total of 13 countries with Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo being born from Yugoslavia.

Surely, during this transition troubled days, conflicting months harmed the stability of the region.

Today what falls upon us is to ensure the sustainability of peace with patience and care.

The prosperity of the countries are important for the peace. 

And the realization of prosperity can be achieved through culture, wealth and education. Even though Balkans regarded as the weakest chain in Europe, Europe without the Balkans cannot be thought of.

The Balkans are a harmony of religions. Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Islam and Judaism, countless congregation, sect and disciplines continue to exist.

Again the Balkans have richness in lingual wealth. Turkish, Bosniak, Serbian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Greek, Albanian, Macedonian, Montenegrin, Slovenian, Croatian and English create the common richness of the region.

In this region religions vary from street to street and languages vary from house to house. Religions and languages are intertwined.

Accordingly of course it is not easy to obtain unity in this region where this many religions and languages co-exist. Haven't this unity obtained before?

It has.

The Ottomans kept this region in unity for 500 years without intervening in religion and language with a de-centralized structure.

In old Yugoslavia Marshall Tito managed to keep Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Slovenia, Kosovo and Bosnia Herzegovina while being a Croat himself. Marshall Tito glued the ethnic and religious differences together.

The Ottomans didn't mind anyone's religion and language. Never troubled anyone economically as long as they paid their taxes. They kept people in safe.

The aspect of nationalism formulated by Ernest Renan at that period devastated the existence of the Ottomans while Milosevic's unbelievable political convictions destroyed the mild climate that Tito created.

Of course these are subjective approaches, not objective.

This is the picture of the past.

In today's picture, the way of conserving the kindness that people from different religions, languages with different flags and passports will have towards each other is what is important.

This way is dialogue.

Only with sustainable dialogue and the paradigm of hope and forget, we can embrace tomorrow.

We need to distance the problems, deadlocks and conflicts of yesterday from the order of the day.

 

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS THE ISSUE OF OUR TIME 

One important subject that entered our area of interest is effective action against involuntarily migration. The protection of the rights of the immigrants along with the social and financial harms caused by the migration to the host country shouldn't be ignored.

Some take this option with the desire to live in better conditions, some to flee from the terror of their country, to get away from war. Although these seem to be the main reasons and excuses, these migration adventures are now well over the principal of innocence. This field is as important as fight against narcotics. Accordingly Marmara Group Foundation is in favor of examination and prosecution of irregular migration.