The Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party will hold the "International Conference on Peace and Democratic Society" on 6-7 December. At the conference, to be held at the Cem Karaca Conference Hall in Istanbul, academics, politicians and civil society representatives from different countries around the world will come together to discuss conflict resolution. 

 

DEM Party Foreign Relations Coordinator Evren Cevik said the aim of the conference is to adapt conflict resolution experiences from around the world to the process in Turkey and open them up for discussion. Cevik said that following developments in the Peace and Democratic Society Process, which has been ongoing for a year, they decided to organise an international conference. 

 

DISCUSSIONS ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION EXPERIENCES

 

Emphasising that the Peace and Democratic Society Call made by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February is of critical importance for the course of the process, Cevik stated that a solution-oriented initiative was developed following the call. Cevik said that they aimed to organise an international conference to counter the ongoing slow pace and for visibility. Cevik said that examples such as Ireland, Catalonia, the Basque Country and South Africa would be discussed at the conference, noting that each of these experiences was valuable. 

 

"We believe these experiences can contribute in certain ways to the non-conflict situation and the resolution process in Turkey. We consider it important that these experiences are visible and discussed in the Turkish public sphere," he said.  

 

Cevik also stated that one of the missions of the DEM Party is to ensure that certain aspects of the process resonate with society and to convince the public. He noted that participants and observers from within Turkey and abroad are important aspects of the process. 

 

Cevik emphasised that the invited speakers are leading experts in conflict resolution, peace studies and social dynamics, adding, "Once we receive their confirmations, we aim to hold a conference with high participation and a strong level of expertise." 

 

He stressed individuals from within Turkey who have prepared articles and conducted studies on conflict resolution processes will also participate, adding that many individuals will attend both as speakers and audience members. Cevik said that some individuals will participate live via Zoom, indicating that individuals from all walks of life will be present.

 

'MANY ISSUES RELATED TO THE PROCESS WILL BE DISCUSSED'

 

Stating that expectations and goals from the Peace and Democratic Society Process differ, Cevik said they would discuss what should be understood from the resolution process and what is expected. He said that discussing topics such as negotiation, public persuasion and ownership in global experiences, together with experiences in Turkey, would be one of the largest and most important parts of the conference. 

 

Cevik concluded: "There is a direct connection between the resolution process and many topics, from media language to reading history. Therefore, we aim for this conference to achieve a certain harmony with these discussions. In addition, with the contributions of the international community, the aim is to produce a text that can contribute to the resolution process in Turkey and to the goal of a democratic society here."

 

MA / Omer Gungor