TURKEY
Centre
for Islamic Studies
Foundation for the Research of
Social Problems
Human Rights Centre
Human Rights Research and
Documentation Centre
CENTRE
FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES
Baglarbasi, Gumusyolu Cad. No. 40
81130 Uskudar, Istanbul
Tel.: ++90 216 4740850
Fax: ++90 216 4740874
Director: Dr Talip Kucukcan
FOUNDATION FOR THE RESEARCH OF
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Ciftevler Sokak, no. 1/1, A.Ayranci, Ankara
Tel.: ++90 312 4272422/4278608
Fax: ++90 312 4278608
E-mail: tosav@tosav.org.tr
In 1995 Professor Dogu Ergil, a member of the Faculty of Political Science at Ankara University, completed a field research programme which concluded that an overwhelming majority of Kurds reject terrorism and disavow demands for independence. Ergil and his colleagues discussed plans to institutionalise their interests promoting democracy and strengthening civic society in Turkey at workshops in France, Belgium and Switzerland. As a result, the Foundation for the Research of Societal Problems was established in accordance with provisions of Turkish law. In Turkey, it is the first non-governmental organisation entirely designed, governed and managed by Turkish citizens including those of Kurdish origin.
The Foundation is a non-profit educational organisation without party affiliation. Its board of directors is made up of prominent persons with careers in politics, government, academia and business. Its executive committee includes men and women, Shia and Sunni, as well as Turks and Kurds. In addition, the Foundation is establishing an International Advisory Board of prominent persons knowledgeable about Turkish affairs with backgrounds in public policy, media and various areas of scholarship. It is chaired by Dan Smith, Director of the International Peace Research Institute, Oslo (PRIO).
The Foundation works with political elites and at a grass-roots level to organise projects which further multiculturalism, tolerance and political pluralism. Activities emphasise: civic education through public outreach, advocacy of socially responsible policy, and the use of media and communications tools.
Director: Prof. T. Akilliouglu
The purpose of the Centre is to promote respect for human rights and to develop human rights education curricula. The Centre is involved in research, training, documentation/information, publications, conference organisation and an international co-operation programme. The Centre offers courses on fundamental rights and freedom, and protection of international human rights norms. Current projects include organising an international conference on minorities and related problems in the Balkans and a seminar on the European Court of Human Rights.
The Centre publishes the journal Human Rights Review.
HUMAN RIGHTS RESEARCH AND
DOCUMENTATION CENTRE
The Centre was founded in 1975 and it carries out research on human rights education and promotes the idea of human rights and democracy in Turkey. Its main activities are: research, training, documentation/information, conference organisation, publications and an international co-operation programme.
Its current research projects are ‘Rights to education and human rights education in international documents’, ‘Rights to form and join trade unions in the European Convention of Human Rights’, ‘Human rights education in curricula and school books’ and ‘Trade unions rights in regional instruments’.
The Centre publishes Insan Haklari Yilligi (in Turkish), and the Turkish Yearbook of Human Rights, both publications produced yearly.