Centre for Turkey Studies

CEFTUS Logo

The Centre for Turkey Studies (CEFTUS) is a UK-based thinktank which organises discussion events on issues relating to Turkey.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} CEFTUS, established in 2011 and run by Ibrahim Doğus,^[6] also organises events promoting the Turkish, Kurdish and Cypriot communities in the UK, including the Turkish, Kurdish, Cypriot Community Achievement Awards^{[7][8][9][10]} and the British Kebab Awards.^[11]

CEFTUS regularly holds events in the UK Houses of Parliament, with well-known thinkers, politicians and journalists focusing on Turkey.^{[12][13][14][15]} CEFTUS strives to operate a non-partisan approach to Turkey's politics, bringing speakers from across the country's political spectrum.^[16][17] CEFTUS enjoys cross-party support in the UK, receiving endorsements from all the country's largest political parties.^[18]

Role

CEFTUS aims to promote impartial debate on significant developments in Turkey-UK relations, international and domestic affairs, governmental policy and current events in Turkey and the immediate region. The Center hosts experts, politicians, academics, and formers of opinion from Britain, Turkey and beyond with an interest in Turkish and regional affairs to enable information sharing and public debate in a formal, non-confrontational arena.

Encouraging independent research and analysis on regional and country-specific challenges is intended to offer new ideas to decision makers on how these could best be tackled from the near to the long term. CEFTUS is routinely used as a source of information for media organisations seeking background or experts upon matters involving Turkish issues. It also conducts case studies at the request of think tanks, public institutions and the private sector interested in the economic, political, and social development of Turkey and the region.

Objectives

1. To host forums, panel discussions, and other events dealing with subjects related to the analysis of Turkey's

• Domestic politics, foreign affairs, and economic development.
• Ongoing process of accession to the European Union.
• Relationship with the U.K., EU, Middle East, North Africa, Black Sea Region, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.
• Role and responsibility as an energy conduit to Europe.
• Interplay of Islam, Democracy, and Secularisim.
• Civil society, Human Rights, and minority issues.
• Potential as a role model for the Islamic World.
• Diaspora communities and their economic, social, and political relationships with the countries of origin.

2. To create contacts, and strengthen relationships between experts, politicians, academics and opinion-formers from Turkey, Britain, and Europe, and between the diaspora communities and the majority populations.

3. To publish conference reports, policy briefs, and recommendations concerning Turkey and the immediate region.

4. To act as a neutral, non-aligned, non-governmental institution with the aim of providing expert opinion and advice.

CEFTUS is membership-based] and anyone may join. Funding is only received from donations and memberships. It has a range of membership options for corporations, academic institutions, NGOs, and individuals CEFTUS currently has international leaders from business, diplomacy, science, politics and media as its individual members. CEFTUS also organises the British Kebab Awards, an annual event to celebrate local kebab restaurants across the UK.

Research and publications

CEFTUS also conducts research, briefings, and reports compiled by members and external contributors. An annual report on events is published. White Papers are also published, allowing for peer review and opportunity for debate on a wide range of issues.

Westminster Debates

With the active participation and hosting by MPs and Peers from all political parties, CEFTUS organises the Westminster Debates, forums that allow presentation and discussion of current and past events in Turkey and the immediate area. Held in Parliamentary Committee Rooms and other venues, the Westminster Debates offer insight and first hand information from both regional and personal perspectives.

Notable Speakers

Notable speakers include Baroness Jan Royall,^[19][20] Caroline Flint MP,^[20] Tom Brake MP,^[20] Cengiz Candar,^[21][22] Fuat Keyman,^[19][23] Can Paker,^[24] Ismail Besikci,^[25]Soner Cagaptay,^[26][27]Yasin Aktay,^[28][29]Can Dundar,^[30]Ece Temelkuran,^[31][32][33] Rusen Cakir,^[34] Zeynep Karahan Uslu,^[35] Osman Can,^[35] Sezgin Tanrikulu,^[36] Gursel Tekin,^[36] Ertugrul Kurkcu,^[37] Ahmet Hakan,^[38] Nuray Mert,^[39][40] Amberin Zaman,^[41] Hilal Kaplan,^[41] Etyen Mahcupyan^[42] Salih Muslim,^[43] Hasan Cemal,^[44] Jenny White,^[45] Patrick Cockburn,^[46] Liam Fox,^[46] Maurice Glasman,^[46] Jason McCartney,^[46] Mehmet Altan,^[47] Ahmet Sik,^[48] Ismail Saymaz,^[48] Peter Hain,^[49] William Wallace,^[49] David Owen^[49] and Timothy Clement-Jones.^[50]

References