Global Transformations and Türkiye Conference
The conference titled "Global Transformations and Türkiye" organized by TÜBA International Relations Working Group was held at Istanbul University Beyazıt Campus between 18-20 April.
More than 60 scientists from many countries of the world
Focusing on the significant changes the world has undergone in recent times and their impact on Türkiye, the "global transformations" themed English conference provided a broad framework for academics, policy makers and the general public. Today's global transformations, culture, civilization and identity, war, peace and conflict resolution, migration, refugees and human security, cyber security, energy security and security of supply chains, new diplomacy channels and science diplomacy, emerging technologies in diplomacy and interactions, artificial intelligence and global inequalities, fair order were discussed with more than 60 scientists under 14 different headings. These topics included diplomacy and security and strategy in a changing world, hybrid warfare and non-state actors in world politics, cyber behavior and the challenges of artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, TÜBA President Prof. Muzaffer Şeker started by stating that the Academy has a rich heritage with its roots dating back to Encümen-i Daniş in 1851. He emphasized that TÜBA continues to work for the development and advancement of different fields of science.
Scientists have a duty to support the people of Gaza.
Prof. Şeker said that we aim to chart a course towards a more just and sustainable future by utilizing the collective wisdom of different voices, and that we need to take into account the humanitarian crises around the world with this perspective. Prof. Şeker said: "It is our duty to advocate for peace and stability, to condemn aggression and to advocate diplomacy as the path to a solution. The inhumane situation in Palestine and Gaza, the effort to destroy a nation continues. Gaza is subjected to Israel's severe blockade and aggression, which is exacerbating conditions, including shortages of food, water and basic health care. It is imperative that all societies, especially the United Nations, take swift action to stop this humanitarian crisis. As scientists, we have a duty to speak out against this inhumane situation and support the oppressed people of Gaza. In order to stop this humanitarian crisis, all societies, especially the United Nations, must take swift action."
Concluding his speech, Şeker thanked the TÜBA International Relations Working Group for organizing the conference and addressed the participants, saying that their contributions to the shaping of the discourse and the development of our collective understanding were invaluable. With our belief in science, peace and development, let us strive to create a world where knowledge acts as a catalyst for positive change.
The conference received over 160 papers.
Prof. Ahmet Nuri Yurdusev, Full Member of TÜBA and Executive Director of the International Relations Working Group, gave information about the activities of the working group and explained that the group was recently established and that two workshops on Russia and the Ukraine War and on Palestine were held during this process. He said that the Global Transformations and Türkiye conference was the first international activity of the working group. He noted that global transformations were formed with the beginning of intercontinental trade, and although it is very popular today, it has a historical background. Yurudusev stated that today's global transformations are more effective with the developments in digital technologies.
Underlining that more than 160 papers were submitted to the conference, Yurdusev stated that these papers went through a serious scientific committee and refereeing process and 59 of them were selected. He thanked TÜBA for its leadership and IU for its support for the realization of the conference.
After the opening ceremony, the first speaker of the conference was Prof. Siba N'Zatioula Grovogui from Cornell University, who has contributed significantly to the international relations literature worldwide, who presented "Imaginaries of International Society: Cross-Roads From 'Rome, 'Serendippo' and 'Yalta'"
During the two-day conference, parallel sessions on “Diplomacy in a Changing World, Security and Strategy in a Changing World, Middle Powers, Peace Keeping and Military Interventions, Human Mobility Meets the Rise of Populism, Türkiye on the Cusp of Persistent Challenges and Global Transformations, Soft Power Politics, Cyber Behaviour and the Challenge of AI, Great and Middle Powers and World Orders, Hybrid Warfare and Non-State Actors in World Politics, Gendered Inequalities, Hierarchical Orders in World Politics, New Challenges to World Politics, Business, Finance and Trade in a Changing World, Ordering the World” were attentively followed by the participants.
