Municipal contribution to citizenship
20–21 September 2013, Çankaya (Ankara)
BACKGROUND
Turkey’s quest for membership in the European Union depends upon the fact that united Europe
is not only an economic union but also a driving force of common political and cultural values,
including active political citizenship, justice and fundamental rights.
Establishing the sense of justice and judicial system, freedom of expression and association,
public participation in the policy making processes and right to representation, economic rights
and free movement have diversely been the main debates across Turkey, Middle East, and
southern parts of the Mediterranean basin in recent times. Although to a lesser extent such
subjects as gender equality, children rights and youth rights, right to environment, right to city
associated to citizenship have also been topical issues in Turkey lately. In the 21st century these
debates should be considered in the context of global convergence and similarity phenomena as
well as regional differences.
The European Union maintains the concept of the EU citizenship enshrined in the treaties,
including the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; however, there is also
another, broader understanding of European citizenship as a common denominator for a unified
European identity. Moreover, emerging technological-cultural phenomena, such as social media
have begun to supplement traditional ways to exercise citizenship.
The objective of the seminar is to confront the municipal contribution to citizenship in Turkey with
the broader concepts pursued and exercised in wider Europe. The debates should lead to
mutual understanding and improving the notion of modern citizenship and its exercise in Turkey,
a country found both in Europe and in the Middle East.