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"CIVILNET IS IN ISTANBUL FOR MORE QUESTIONS AND DIALOGUE"
BIA Net, Turkey
Nov 19 2013
Civilitas, an NGO aimed to bridge gap between Turkey and Armenia
through joint projects, has opened its first office in Istanbul. "We
are here to ask more questions and engage in dialogue," said Civilitas
director Salpi Ghazarian.
Elif AKGUL
Civilitas, an NGO aimed to bridge gap between Turkey and Armenia
through joint projects, has opened its first office in Istanbul. "We
are here to ask more questions and engage in dialogue," said Civilitas
director Salpi Ghazarian.
A ceremony organized for the opening has been attended by several
notable activists including journalist Yavuz Baydar, academician
Cengiz Aktar, Agos newspaper editor-in-chief Rober KoptaĆ~_ and
bianet's project advisor Nadire Mater, as well as representatives
from various consulates.
Addressing a speech at the opening ceremony, Ghazarian said they have
been working on the Turkish-Armenian relations since 2008.
"We are here to fill the need for those who say 'I wish somebody from
Armenia was here'. We would like to reflect the image of Armenia
and its diaspora to Turkey. There are several questions that has
not been vocalized yet. There are several people who want to ask
these questions. Maybe we can't reply all but we will keep talking
and dialogue."
"We wish to contribute to dialogue"
The office will work as Civilitas's communication headquarters. It
also aims to realize projects on Armenia and its diaspora, as well
as raise questions regarding Turkey - Armenia relations. Ghazarian
underlined the necessity of an office in Istanbul as the physical
border between the two neighboring countries is still closed.
"Therefore," she continued, "Civilitas will work on to listen and
understand the two peoples more. It will organize research and follow
up the existing research on the issue. This is, of course, not the
sort of political work that government engage in. It is neither a
new tool of reconciliation. Civilitas will support the projects that
grassroots organizations are engaging. We will also come up with new
ideas and ensure that the interaction is rapid and permanent.
"Civilitas is opening the office before the 100th Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. While Civilitas's main concern is not this, we also
aim to contribute to a 600 year old dialogue that has been interrupted
for the past 100 years due to delocations and disappearance."
What is Civilitas?
Established in 2008, Civilitas is an NGO aiming to strengthen civil
society in order to enhance democracy with a series of reports, open
forums and public discussions. Civilitas also provides news content
in English, Armenian and Russion at civilnet.am. (EA/BM)
http://www.bianet.org/english/minorities/151428-civilnet-is-in-istanbul-for-more-questions-and-dialogue
BIA Net, Turkey
Nov 19 2013
Civilitas, an NGO aimed to bridge gap between Turkey and Armenia
through joint projects, has opened its first office in Istanbul. "We
are here to ask more questions and engage in dialogue," said Civilitas
director Salpi Ghazarian.
Elif AKGUL
Civilitas, an NGO aimed to bridge gap between Turkey and Armenia
through joint projects, has opened its first office in Istanbul. "We
are here to ask more questions and engage in dialogue," said Civilitas
director Salpi Ghazarian.
A ceremony organized for the opening has been attended by several
notable activists including journalist Yavuz Baydar, academician
Cengiz Aktar, Agos newspaper editor-in-chief Rober KoptaĆ~_ and
bianet's project advisor Nadire Mater, as well as representatives
from various consulates.
Addressing a speech at the opening ceremony, Ghazarian said they have
been working on the Turkish-Armenian relations since 2008.
"We are here to fill the need for those who say 'I wish somebody from
Armenia was here'. We would like to reflect the image of Armenia
and its diaspora to Turkey. There are several questions that has
not been vocalized yet. There are several people who want to ask
these questions. Maybe we can't reply all but we will keep talking
and dialogue."
"We wish to contribute to dialogue"
The office will work as Civilitas's communication headquarters. It
also aims to realize projects on Armenia and its diaspora, as well
as raise questions regarding Turkey - Armenia relations. Ghazarian
underlined the necessity of an office in Istanbul as the physical
border between the two neighboring countries is still closed.
"Therefore," she continued, "Civilitas will work on to listen and
understand the two peoples more. It will organize research and follow
up the existing research on the issue. This is, of course, not the
sort of political work that government engage in. It is neither a
new tool of reconciliation. Civilitas will support the projects that
grassroots organizations are engaging. We will also come up with new
ideas and ensure that the interaction is rapid and permanent.
"Civilitas is opening the office before the 100th Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. While Civilitas's main concern is not this, we also
aim to contribute to a 600 year old dialogue that has been interrupted
for the past 100 years due to delocations and disappearance."
What is Civilitas?
Established in 2008, Civilitas is an NGO aiming to strengthen civil
society in order to enhance democracy with a series of reports, open
forums and public discussions. Civilitas also provides news content
in English, Armenian and Russion at civilnet.am. (EA/BM)
http://www.bianet.org/english/minorities/151428-civilnet-is-in-istanbul-for-more-questions-and-dialogue