Showing posts with label civil society. Show all posts
Showing posts with label civil society. Show all posts
Friday, 2 March 2012
Civil Society in Turkey seen from the USA
Text from www.setadc.org/young-scholars-on-turkey
The Young Scholars on Turkey (YSOT) Program presents "Lessons from Turkish Civil Society for the Arab Spring "
Jacob Zenn The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law Tuesday, November 15, 2011 12:00 - 1:30
PM Moderated by Kadir Ustun, Research Director, SETA Foundation at Washington D.C.
Event Summary: By Mary Hope Brenneman Jacob Zenn presented his research on civil society development in Turkey under this year’s YSOT theme of “New Turkey in a New Middle East.” Zenn opened by noting Turkey’s exceptional status in the region; that of a secular democracy with a majority Muslim population. He then went on to explain how there has been an increased openness for the development of civil society in Turkey over the past decade. Various statistics aid in supporting this point: civil society organizations have increased by 44%, 10% of the population is now engaged with NGOs, and more than 1 million people involved in civil society organizations are women. Zenn attributed these positive developments to two main changes in Turkey. First, the supervision of civil society has been transferred from the police department to local governors. This has eased restrictions that civil society leaders and members felt as a result of police involvement. Zenn contended that this led to an increased feeling of freedom in the development of civil society. Second, associations have recently been allowed to receive foreign funding and support without obtaining specific government approval. Not only has this also increased the feeling of freedom among civil society groups, but it has increased their ability to develop. Zenn pointed to Turkey’s bid for membership in the European Union (EU) as a primary motivator for these changes. While outlining these two changes that have led to increased civil society development, Zenn provided probable effects of this recent development. He noted that civil society organizations seem to be centered in urban areas, while less than 25% of organizations are found in rural areas where the need for civil society and NGOs is more pronounced. Zenn later said that this uneven distribution may be a result of poor administration of EU funds in supporting the development of civil society groups. In addition, Zenn theorized that the development of religious organizations in civil society has helped to keep Turkey’s government secular. This happens because the population can use civil society organizations, rather than the state, as an outlet for religious expression. However, Zenn added, there is a danger in civil society (particularly religious groups) becoming too closely tied to decision-makers in the government. In response to a later question, Zenn noted that the close connection between the IHH and the AK Party is viewed as dangerous and has suffered some backlash in Turkey. Zenn concluded with reflections on Prime Minister Erdoğan’s recommendation of a secular regime in Egypt. This recommendation, according to Zenn, represents a Turkish hope for secularism in the broader Middle Eastern region. The key is to find the right balance between state, religion and civil society.
Thursday, 1 March 2012
SIGN PETITION - TAKSIM BELONGS TO ALL OF US
sign petition here: http://www.taksimplatformu.org/english.php
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| Demonstration on Taksim indicating that the construction works is underway! |
text from the same page:
TAKSİM PLATFORM: PRESS RELEASE AND SIGNATURE PETITION
The recently proposed Taksim Project calls for the construction of enormous ramps --10 meters deep and 100 meters long-- leading to subterranean tunnels directing traffic under Taksim Square. The ramps will be located at seven points near the square, including Gümüşsuyu, Sıraselviler, Mete, Tarlabaşı, and Cumhuriyet Boulevards. High concrete walls will be erected, and the existing sidewalks along the boulevards will be transformed into service roads. The trees in the vicinity will be cut down, and it will be difficult, if not impossible, to reach Taksim Square by foot. Underground tunnels will not solve the problems of urban transportation and traffic. Urban planners throughout the developed world have long since discredited them.
THE TAKSİM PROJECT IS NOT ABOUT MAKING THE SQUARE MORE PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY (despite claims otherwise)
How Was the Project Passed through Official Channels?
The present plans for Taksim Square were announced by the Prime Minister before the elections. The Istanbul Greater Metropolitan Parliament then approved them by vote, after which the Istanbul No. 2 Regional Agency for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage Sites passed the bill with speed unprecedented for a “reconstruction project.”
Despite being a public initiative financed by city taxes, residents of the city and civic organizations have not been informed of, nor consulted about, the details of the project. The Metropolitan government has not provided any means for public discussion. It continues to ignore the voices of various groups and individuals who have the expertise to evaluate the effects this project will have on the urban fabric of Taksim.
THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN PLANNING AND PASSING THIS PROJECT VIOLATES EVERY PRINCIPLE OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY
What Do We Want?
We want transparency and the opportunity for input in the redesign of Taksim Square. Urban development plans should take into consideration those residing in nearby neighborhoods as well as those who work in and visit the area. Transportation projects should not be planned by decree from above, nor in isolation from their environment and residents. The latest holistic approaches need to be taken into consideration during the design of transportation systems, viewing them as part of the overall urban fabric.
As the highest-profile and most symbolic square in Turkey, Taksim Square means many things to people of many different walks of life. Democratic participation in deciding how to design and use this public space is just as important as it is in rewriting the Constitution.
The days of reckless urban development and planning without public consultation are long over. It’s time to do things differently. Let’s start with Taksim Square. Let’s join together and make this an example of how city officials can successfully work in conjunction with civic groups and citizens for a better designed city space for everyone.
We call upon the city officials of Istanbul to serve their constituents in a transparent and democratic way.
Taksim belongs to all of us!http://www.taksimplatformu.org/english.php
Thursday, 15 December 2011
polis: Lessons from Ecuador's Citizen Participation Law
Blog post from polis: Lessons from Ecuador's Citizen Participation Law
In April 2010, Ecuador's National Assembly passed the Citizen Participation Law — an excellent compendium for anyone interested in participatory democracy. The law defined mechanisms for direct democracy through which Ecuadorians are participating in government decision-making and controlling public affairs. These mechanisms, many of which were already functioning in some parts of the country, constitute, in the law's own words, "a progressive setting of new spaces that make the direct exercise of citizen power possible."
At all levels, this legislation defined processes through which people could reform the Constitution, change laws and by-laws, organize referendums and binding popular consultations, remove an elected official and free access to public information. At the national level, the law established a set of councils through which civil society could participate in decision-making processes. At the local level, it created citizen assemblies (which can manage public funds), local planning councils, participatory budgeting, public hearings, open town hall sessions, an "empty chair" in the town council (filled by civil society representatives), citizen oversight over public management, popular observatories and local consultation councils.
A year and a half later, most ministries and local governments have started adopting such mechanisms. The speed and effectiveness of implementation has depended much on the political will of officials. The main challenge that civil society movements and organizations are facing is the tendency that government officials have to co-opt these mechanisms. Indeed, the national government kept some powers that can prevent organizations from exercising their rights to participate in public affairs.
In April 2010, Ecuador's National Assembly passed the Citizen Participation Law — an excellent compendium for anyone interested in participatory democracy. The law defined mechanisms for direct democracy through which Ecuadorians are participating in government decision-making and controlling public affairs. These mechanisms, many of which were already functioning in some parts of the country, constitute, in the law's own words, "a progressive setting of new spaces that make the direct exercise of citizen power possible."
At all levels, this legislation defined processes through which people could reform the Constitution, change laws and by-laws, organize referendums and binding popular consultations, remove an elected official and free access to public information. At the national level, the law established a set of councils through which civil society could participate in decision-making processes. At the local level, it created citizen assemblies (which can manage public funds), local planning councils, participatory budgeting, public hearings, open town hall sessions, an "empty chair" in the town council (filled by civil society representatives), citizen oversight over public management, popular observatories and local consultation councils.
A year and a half later, most ministries and local governments have started adopting such mechanisms. The speed and effectiveness of implementation has depended much on the political will of officials. The main challenge that civil society movements and organizations are facing is the tendency that government officials have to co-opt these mechanisms. Indeed, the national government kept some powers that can prevent organizations from exercising their rights to participate in public affairs.
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Istanbul 2010: city of dreams, contrasts and contended spaces.
This was the titel of the international conference organized by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in Berlin in December 2009.
Click here for the Conference Dokumentation. The downloadable pdfs are in english.
Click here for the Conference Dokumentation. The downloadable pdfs are in english.
Monday, 18 July 2011
Berlin Istanbul Civil Society Conference 2009
Open publication - Free publishing - More society
On occasion of 20 years of town twinning between Istanbul and Berlin, Forum Berlin Istanbul organized a conference in the persuit of connecting civil society actors active in Urban Development from Istanbul and Berlin. (Above you see the catalogue. In German only.)
On occasion of 20 years of town twinning between Istanbul and Berlin, Forum Berlin Istanbul organized a conference in the persuit of connecting civil society actors active in Urban Development from Istanbul and Berlin. (Above you see the catalogue. In German only.)
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Metropol Sürgünleri - the metropol shoots
Metropol Sürgünleri from Kara Bayrak on Vimeo.
The text stems from the vimeo page of Kara Bayrak (underneath you find the google translation - very poor, I am sorry)
Kentsel Dönüsüm projesi adi altinda yikimina karar verilen Tarlabasi’ nda, tapulari olmasina ragmen insanlarin barinma hakki da elinden aliniyor. Bir kültür ve bir yasam yok edilmek isteniyor…
Onlar Istanbul’ un ‘ötekileri’ olarak adlandirildilar. Kimileri köyleri yakildigi için, kimileri issizlikten, kimileri ise yasama alani buldugu için siginacak yer olarak seçmisler Tarlabasi’ ni. Bütün hayatlarini köylerinde birakip gelmisler tasi topragi altin denilen Istanbul’ a. Ucuzdu, en azindan baslarini sokacaklari yerleri vardi. Onlar mimari yapiymis, degerliymis, Beyoglu’ nun arka sokagiymis aldirmadilar, yasamak zorundaydilar burayi seçtiler.
Tarlabasi da diger ‘ ötekilestirilmis ‘ mahallelerle ayni kaderi paylasiyor. Kentsel Dönüsümün odak noktasi. Burada biraz daha farkli ilerliyor proje, yasada ‘ yenilme ‘ diye geçip yikim karari çikartiliyor.
Sokaklarda çöpler dolu. Belli ki toplanmiyor. Zaten çöküntü alani olarak gösteriliyor yikim için. Belediyenin hizmet getirmedigini söylüyor mahalle sakinleri.Çöp toplanmadigi, güvenlik saglanmadigi, restore edilmedigi zaman bir alan her gün çürütüle çürütüle çöküntü alani haline getirilebilir. Belediyenin yapmaya çalistigi da bu.
Kentsel Dönüsüm projesi dedikleri projenin altinda yatan büyük rantin pesinde holdingler. Insan yasami hiçbir sey için onlar için. Burada yasayan insanlari kent sürgünlügüne mahkûm ediyorlar. Aldiklari her nefesin hesabini yapiyorlar. Burada Süryani’ si de, Kürt’ ü de, Ermeni’ si de, Rum’ u da, mültecisi de ve travestisi de bir arada yasayabiliyor. Onlar bir yasam bulmuslar, bu yasami da kaybetmek istemiyorlar.
Belediyenin Toki üzerinden Tayyip Erdogan’a yakinligi ile bilinen Çalik Grubu’na ihale ettigi Tarlabasi 1. Etap Kentsel Dönüsüm Projesi ilçe sakinlerini ayaga kaldirdi. 5 katli binalarina sadece 22 metrekarelik dükkan yeri verildigini vurgulayan mülk sahiplerinin yüzde 80'i Çalik Grubu ile anlasmaya yanasmadi. Mülk sahipleri ve kiracilar ‘Tarlabasi islah edilsin, iyilestirilsin; ama rantsal dönüsüm merkezi olmasin” diyor; Çalik, Toki, Belediye ve sermayedarlarsa “Tarlabasi, Tarlabasi’ lilara birakilamayacak kadar degerli bir yer”…
google translator translation:
Urban Transformation Project decided Tarlabasi destruction under the name of 'the, right to shelter in the hands of the people despite its deeds are taken. One is a living culture and asked to be destroyed ...
They are of Istanbul 'the others' are referred to as. Some people burned the villages, some unemployment, for she has found some refuge in the area selected as the legislative Tarlabasi at all. All their lives on the ground in the villages of golden stone came to leave the so-called Istanbul 'a. Cheaper, at least, had their heads sokacaklari places. They yapiymis architecture, degerliymis, Beyonce 's back sokagiymis aldirmadilar, they chose to live here had to.
Tarlabasi the other 'ötekilestirilmis' neighborhoods been sharing the same fate. The focus of urban regeneration. Here, the project is moving a little bit different than the law 'failure' he extracted the decision to go destruction.
Streets full of rubbish. Obviously, not collected. As already showing subsidence area for destruction. The municipality says the district had no service sakinleri.Çöp in session, not provide security, not restored when the field turned into a rink every day çürütüle çürütüle depression. Stays in the municipality to do this.
Urban Transformation project, called the project a large surplus in pursuit of the underlying holdings. Human life to nothing for them. Here, people are living in the city are doomed to sürgünlügüne. Account that which they do every breath. Here Syrian percent, the Kurds 'ü, the Armenian percent, the Greek' u, the refugees can live together in the and travestisi. They have found a life, do not want to lose in this life.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Monday, 28 February 2011
no pass to demolition
Text from Youtube:
"Istanbul which is the most crowded city of Turkey has very large slums. After the immigration starting from villages to the cities since 1950s, slums which cluster around of industrial basins occurred. These slums increasing covered the considerable part of the city. Once there was neither any transportation nor infrastructure, working people constructed all these slums by themselves. However, these slums are considered as an annuity zone under the international urban transportation project and are wanted to demolition. The Government and local authorities wanted to demolition these houses many times under police and gendarme. Slum people resist to the end and defense their housing rights. BEKSAV Cinema Workshop has recorded demolition events experienced in these slums and resistance against these demolitions for long years. And it talked one to one and interviewed with many people living there. This film is a short document of the slum reality."
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