“Transition to Democratic Republic in Second Century” conference kicks off in Istanbul

Today, the conference of “The Transition to a Democratic Republic in Second Century” officially opened in Istanbul under the slogan “A Common Future in the Second Century,” bringing together writers, intellectuals, academics, and political and social figures from various backgrounds.

The two-day conference is being held at the Cem Karaca Cultural Center, where participants are discussing issues of democracy, citizenship, coexistence, and social peace, along with ways to build a comprehensive democratic republic in Turkey in its second century.

The opening session featured speeches by Gültan Kışanak and Rıza Türmen, followed by the keynote address delivered by novelist and writer Burhan Sönmez titled “Opening a Window to the Future.”

The conference program includes a series of panel discussions addressing the founding narrative of the republic, the impacts of a century of nationalism and social divisions, as well as the Kurdish issue as one of the most significant unresolved matters over the past hundred years. It also explores opportunities for democratic transformation and the strengthening of pluralism and social justice.

The first day concludes with a dialogue forum titled “Whose Republic? And What Future?”, while the second day will continue with sessions on democratization, social peace, and expanding democratic participation, before concluding with the issuance of a “Democratic Call for the New Century.”

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ANHA