|
An Update from SIETAR Türk
SIETAR Türk members
at a SIETAR Information Evening in Istanbul, Oct. 8, 2003
October visit
SIETAR Türk was both honored and happy that Dr. George Simons of the
SIETAR Europa Board visited us here in Istanbul in October. His training for us
and his presentation for the public at the Swiss Hotel was wonderful.
Come work with us
In the following months we are planning to invite the other SIETAR colleagues
who have shown interest and told us at the Budapest Conference that they
would like to come and offer trainings. We would like to welcome all of you and
your suggestions. Just let us know your programs and your yearly itinerary so
that we can do some planning and matching. We are very much motivated and
willing to work with you, because this field of work is captivating us more and
more as we study and get to learn more about it.
Building Turkish resources
We are building our library and have started translating training materials into
Turkish beginning with two books, we will be able to motivate more individuals
like ourselves soon. Through the investment provided by Mrs. N. N. Muradoglu
and the efforts of Turan and Cangul two Bogazici University graduates Tugce
and Ozlem, have started on the translation work and will become coaches and
interculturalists.
A Congress in 2005
We are looking forward to planning a successful Congress in Istanbul in 2005.
We do have time to be prepared. But our goal is to educate and train as many
young generation members as possible before the congress itself. These young
people would contribute and benefit from the conference in 2004 Germany and
of course in 2005 I in Istanbul when and if they become coaches and
interculturalists.
A need for coordinators
To make this happen we need expert intercultural coordinators, experienced
people who can help us become involved in EU projects and services. Without
such coordinators we cannot obtain projects and we cannot implement them
effectively to produce the human resources that are in demand not only in
Turkey but also in Europe and elsewhere.
Our commitment to intercultural work
We are all aware that countries' demands for national security has risen as the
terrorism problems become more visible. We think the training of
interculturalists and their work in building bridges, creating dialogue and
leveraging cultural systems will affect sustainable economic and social
development, and provide the basis for the peace that we believe is vital for
humanity in a globalized world.
Looking for sponsors
Searching for support for our learning programs and the eventual Congress, to
date we have communicated with Swiss Hotel, Istanbul Technical University,
Kadir Has University, Yeditepe University, and have had long discussions with
Can Baydarol, who is the third-ranking person in the New Democracy Party
(Central Left wing party). Dr. Simons visited BilgeAdam and met Mr. Haldun Pak
and Furkan Firat, the founder-owners of this local IT Company as well as Mr.
Toprak from Economists Group, an NGO that has been growing very fast and
already has 15,000 young educated members. Other contacts include Leyla
Arsan of Tages, Inc. who has been working hard for the EU consortiums and
for innnovations in medium small size companies and Atilla Baslar of Fortune
who has been helping to introduce entrepreneurs into doing business in Turkey.
The Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) has been
contacted and briefed about SIETAR activities by Nilgun Demirtas.
SIETAR Europa members with clients or afiliates in Turkey, please let us know
of those who might be potential resources and underwriters for the congress.
It would be wonderful if profitable companies could give us the proper margin
to work with so that the congress can be truly inclusive and effective
conference. In particular we need sponsors to support the attendance of
younger members and students at the conference. Also, let us know if we can
do likewise for international companies working in Germany and Turkey, to
support the congress in Berlin.
Congress pre-planning
For creating the program for the conference we are undertaking research on
the needs of the Turkish culture, EU and Turkic republics. And we would like to
have vertical-linear and lateral-linear processes for all different levels.
For your enjoyment, we would like to plan an old city tour and a new city tour
and the both. We would like to offer you the boat trip on the Bosphorus on a
on a sunny day! How about enjoying the grilled fish and Kebabs? Please think
about this congress in advance and consider bringing your partners and friends
along with you. Our best weekend offer is a team of most wonderful,
enthusiastic young people who would like to welcome and and be your guides.
| 
