MARMARA GROUP FOUNDATION

Founded in 1985 as an independent non-governmental organisation, the Marmara Group Foundation for Strategic and Social Research identifies issues that require solutions today and may become challenges in the future. It organises seminars, conferences and meetings, and prepares opinions, reports and analyses.

The Marmara Group Foundation holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, is a member of the Balkan Political Club, an observer member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, and a member of the International Foundation for Sustainable Peace and Development (IFSPD) and the World Mongol Convention. The Foundation also has strategic partnership agreements with the Vienna Economic Forum, the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, Slovenia's Life Learning Academy, the Slavyani Foundation in Bulgaria, the China Society for Human Rights Studies, the China Association for International Friendly Contact, the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament, the Mongolian Organisation for Peace and Friendship, the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development in Serbia, the Hungarian Initiative Foundation and the New Strategy Center in Romania. Dr. Akkan Suver serves as President of the Marmara Group Foundation.

MISSION

The mission of the Marmara Group Foundation for Strategic and Social Research is to consider, discuss and examine our country's economic, democratic and security-related challenges, to develop rational and scientific solutions, and to share them with the public.

To this end, it conducts studies and implements projects with organisations in the Middle East, the Balkans and Eurasian countries, as well as with national and international think tanks, around contemporary values and shared objectives.

OBJECTIVES

To promote Türkiye's socio-economic and democratic development in line with global progress and contemporary values.

To examine changes and developments in science, technology, economics and democracy, and to analyse their effects on our political and social life.

To support transparency and accountability, as well as the inclusion of checks and balances in the Constitution and the system of government, for the advancement of democracy in Türkiye.

To support Türkiye's membership of the European Union, encourage transformation in accordance with EU criteria, and promote equality between women and men.

To support the transition from tradition to modernity and the accompanying intellectual transformation, enabling society and individuals to become active participants in democracy.

FIELDS OF ACTIVITY

EURASIAN ECONOMIC SUMMITS

The Eurasian Economic Summits are organised every year with the active participation of national and international experts and decision-makers in economics, social affairs, politics, energy and security. The Summits bring together businesspeople, politicians and academics on the same platform and help them cooperate on economic, democratic and security issues. Participation has grown steadily since the first Summit. What began with seven participating countries now brings together nearly fifty countries.

EU AND HUMAN RIGHTS PLATFORM

The Marmara Group Foundation attaches great importance to and supports Türkiye's membership of the European Union. It monitors and evaluates the changes taking place in Türkiye within the framework of EU criteria and works jointly with other civil society organisations that advocate European integration. It conducts joint activities and campaigns to help European values take root in society and implements projects with other civil society organisations in the fields of human rights and equality between women and men.

The Foundation carries out projects concerning women in leadership, women's participation in employment, sustainable development, constitutional principles, the separation of powers, and the importance of checks and balances. It actively participates in and supports platforms formed by civil society organisations. In this context, it takes part as an expert member of the TÜSİAD Women-Men Equality Group, a board member of the Rightful Women Platform, coordinator of the Marmara Group's constitutional studies, co-chair of the Checks and Balances Network, and an active member of WINPEACE, a peace initiative. It also cooperates with universities working on the European Union and human rights.

ACADEMIC COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

At this Council, in which academics and community leaders actively participate, issues on the agenda of Türkiye and the surrounding region are discussed and examined together with invited experts, with the aim of developing rational and scientific solutions.

Reports prepared as the views of the Marmara Group are shared with the public and decision-making bodies through press releases, email, fax and other communication channels.

YOUNG MARMARA GROUP

The Young Marmara Group actively participates in meetings and organisations. Its members discuss current affairs and issues affecting young people and present their conclusions to the Board of Directors through “Youth Perspective” reports.

It introduces the Marmara Group Foundation at universities and in their communities, encouraging voluntary membership and participation.

TÜRKİYE SEEKS ITS FUTURE

PRO-CONTRA DISCUSSION MEETINGS

Both the resolution and the persistence of major challenges carry risks. Türkiye must develop contemporary policies to address these challenges. At these meetings, experts and community leaders representing different perspectives identify and analyse the issues, conduct research, offer interpretations, seek common ground and formulate recommendations.