The 20th Anatolian Meetings, organized by the Anatolian Federation in Ankara under the theme of “The Century of Türkiye and Civil Diplomacy,” came to an end following an intensive five-day program. The gathering brought together many prominent figures from national and international circles.Held between 10-14 August 2026 to discuss solutions that civil society can produce in response to crises around the world, the 20th Anatolian Meetings concluded with comprehensive sessions and workshops. Bringing together academics, bureaucrats and civil society volunteers from Türkiye and abroad under the same roof, the gathering was held at Kızılcahamam Eliz Hotel Convention Center. In today's world, where global crises cannot be managed through traditional diplomatic methods, the constructive power of civil diplomacy was discussed for five days. Aiming to strengthen the grounds for solidarity among institutions, the gathering functioned as a strategic platform where new policy proposals were discussed.CIVIL SOCIETY EDUCATION CURRICULUM LAUNCHEDOn the first day of the organization, the Civil Society Education Curricula Launch was held, marking an important beginning. The curriculum, which was the product of long-term academic and practical work, was introduced to the public with the aim of providing civil society volunteers with the theoretical background they would need in the field. The launch program was recorded as a major step toward integrating innovative approaches in education into the civil sphere.CIVIL SOCIETY AS A KEY ACTORThe official opening of the Meetings began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by welcoming speeches by İnönü University Rector Nusret Akpolat and President of the Serbia Türkiye Alumni Association Nazım Liçina. Subsequently, Anatolian Federation President Turgay Aldemir outlined the vision of the gathering with his opening speech titled “The Century of Türkiye and Civil Diplomacy.” Emphasizing that, in a period when balances of power are rapidly changing and wars and waves of migration are increasing, the areas in which states can produce solutions on their own are gradually narrowing, Aldemir stated that civil society organizations have risen to the position of key actors in international interaction.THE PERMANENT IMPACT OF CIVIL STRUCTURESIn sessions where the vision of the public sector met the energy of civil society, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye Dr. Serdar Çam took the floor with his presentation titled “Public and Cultural Diplomacy in the Century of Türkiye.” Çam recalled that official authorities may remain limited by their terms of office, whereas civil structures that transmit culture from one generation to another create a lasting impact, and stated that a strong state needs qualified civil society organizations. Supporting this vision, TİKA Vice President Yahya Coşkun spoke about TİKA's activities around the world and drew attention to the bridges of trust that Türkiye's development assistance and cultural restoration projects have built in the field of civil diplomacy.CONFRONTING THE PASTPeacebuilding and humanitarian diplomacy were also examined in depth at the gathering through presentations by experts. İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation Vice President Hüseyin Oruç shared his experiences from the Bangsamoro peace process, demonstrating the vital role of civil society in conflict resolution. Stating that, instead of weapons being handed directly to the state, entrusting them to an independent commission helped overcome a psychological threshold, Oruç expressed that confronting the past and demonstrating a will for fair coexistence are essential for lasting peace.WE MUST BUILD PERMANENT CAPACITIESIn another important session, Dr. İbrahim Altan, Deputy Secretary General of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW), delivered a speech titled “Crises, Humanitarian Aid and Volunteer Diplomacy.” Explaining that civil teams working in the field can establish a much faster and more impartial bridge of trust with local people, Altan emphasized that preserving the pure intentions of volunteers in the field is their greatest strength. Drawing attention to the necessity of going beyond meeting only immediate needs in crisis zones and creating permanent capacities, Altan stated that the foundation and guild culture of the ancestors provides inspiration for modern humanitarian aid practices today.YOUNG PEOPLE ADDED DYNAMISMIn addition to the main sessions, projects carried out simultaneously also added great dynamism to the 20th Anatolian Meetings. Within the scope of the project “Young People's International Networking and Civil Diplomacy Skills in the Digital Age,” young people from different countries came together at common tables. The program, which aimed to increase young people's awareness of active citizenship, artificial intelligence, disinformation and inclusivity, included workshops, policy development studies and thematic forums. At the closing, Youthpass certificates documenting the achievements they gained throughout the activities were presented to the young participants. Alongside this intensive agenda, the 6th Children's Meetings were also held simultaneously, ensuring the participation of people from all age groups in the organization.UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACYOne of the sessions that enhanced the academic depth of the gathering was the presentation by Prof. Dr. Muhittin Ataman, Member of the Presidential Council for Foreign Policy and Security, titled “The Crisis in the Global System: The Increasing Influence of NGOs.” Analyzing the deadlocks in the current global system, Ataman stated that civil society has become a proactive force transcending borders at points where nation-states are locked in deadlock. Prof. Dr. Bekir Berat Özipek, a faculty member at Medipol University, emphasized universal human rights advocacy transcending geographical borders in his speech titled “Global Civil Communication and the Possibilities of a Transnational Conversation.” Özipek elaborated on the intellectual and moral responsibility that civil society should undertake in building a just world.TÜRKIYE'S MOST NATURAL CIVIL DIPLOMACY AMBASSADORSIn the section where the cross-border effects of diplomacy were discussed, Abdulhadi Turus, President of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), spoke on “Diaspora Networks and Cultural Diplomacy,” one of the most strategic topics of the program. Turus stated that citizens in the diaspora are Türkiye's most natural civil diplomacy ambassadors and explained the vital function of these networks in keeping global ties between the homeland and its communities alive. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Kanca, Counselor for Religious Services at the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Washington, shed light on the intercontinental effects of institutional structures across the Americas with his presentation titled “Civil Diplomacy in the USA from the Perspective of the Century of Türkiye: Religious Services, Diaspora and Cultural Interaction.” Dr. Selman Dilek, an NGO representative from Germany, shared with participants the dialogue mechanisms established by civil society in Europe while preserving its unique culture in the face of digitalization under the theme “Intercultural Communication in the Age of Digital Homogenization.”FROM LOCAL EXPERIENCES TO THE GLOBAL DIPLOMACY TABLEWhile the reflections of decision-making processes on foreign policy were addressed from a broad perspective, Dr. Mehmet Köse from the Africa and Middle East Foundation evaluated the multidimensional contribution of civil actors to policymakers in his presentation titled “The Impact of the Diversification of Decision-Making Mechanisms on Foreign Policy.” At the point where field practices met theory, Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu, Head of Foreign Relations at the Anatolian Federation, explained how local experiences are carried to the global diplomacy table in the session “The Effects of the Local and International Activities of NGOs on Civil Diplomacy.” Oktay Çetin from the Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Foundation added a deep spiritual framework to the issue with his presentation “The Importance of Moral Education in Civil Diplomacy and the Role of Foundations.” Çetin stated that the foundation tradition centered on compassion and mercy leaves much more lasting traces than diplomatic contacts.THE UNITING POWER OF CINEMA AND LITERATUREIn the sessions centered on culture and the arts, renowned director Derviş Zaim and writer Peren Birsaygılı Mut took the floor. Within the scope of the gathering, Derviş Zaim's film Flashmemory was screened for the audience, and drawing on his own film, he explained through cinematographic examples the powerful contribution of cinema to the processes by which societies understand one another through its universal language that eliminates borders. Peren Birsaygılı Mut also drew attention to the unifying power of literature and written culture in building the common memory of societies.THE CRITICAL ROLE OF NGOSAt the Meetings, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the İlim Yayma Foundation, and Fatma Şahin, Mayor of Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, also addressed the participants. Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan drew attention to the critical role of civil society organizations in revitalizing younger generations and building civilization, stating that voluntary organizations serve as load-bearing pillars in Türkiye's global vision. Fatma Şahin, meanwhile, explained through examples from her presentation “Resilient City Gaziantep” how cooperation between local administrations and civil society can transform into a life-saving practice in times of crisis. Şahin particularly emphasized that the integration of civil initiatives with the public sector in disaster management gives great momentum to civil diplomacy.THE DIPLOMACY VISION OF THE FUTUREThe gathering, during which vital issues such as the collapse of the global system, humanitarian crises, regional conflicts, invisible diplomacy and diaspora networks were addressed from multiple dimensions over five days, concluded with an evaluation meeting. The 20th Anatolian Meetings, which strengthened Türkiye's humanitarian stance on the international stage and shed light on the diplomacy vision of the future, concluded by drawing attention to the constructive role of civil society in producing peace and security.

Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the İlim Yayma Foundation, drew attention to the importance of strengthening civil society and science diplomacy for regional peace at the 20th Anatolian Gatherings.Speaking at the 20th Anatolian Gatherings program, held under the main theme of Türkiye’s Century and Civil Diplomacy, İlim Yayma Foundation Chairman of the Board of Trustees Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan shared his views on the initiatives Türkiye will undertake in the changing world order. Stating that the world is going through a period in which the guardianship of global civilization is changing hands, Erdoğan said that long-term strategies to be developed by civil society organizations and universities, beyond politics, will play a decisive role in the future of the country.WE WILL PROVE THE EXPERTISE OF CIVIL SOCIETYReferring to the development of civil society in recent years, Erdoğan emphasized that civil structures should work in a more organized manner along the paths opened by politics. Stating that they aim to increase the weight of civil initiatives in decision-making processes, Erdoğan said, “When there is a legislative effort on any issue in the Parliament, we will prove to society the expertise of our civil society to such an extent that it will become difficult to take a step on that issue without consulting civil society organizations specialized in that field and obtaining their ideas and opinions.”LET US ESTABLISH LASTING ALLIANCES BETWEEN SOCIETY AND UNIVERSITIESPlacing the concept of “science diplomacy” at the center of his speech, Erdoğan pointed to the vision that academia should undertake in ensuring regional stability. Drawing attention to the civilizational crises in the world and the political deadlocks into which the West has fallen, Erdoğan continued: “The main goal we aim to achieve through the science diplomacy we need is to establish lasting alliances between societies and universities, independent of political developments in the world.”THE IDEA OF THE UMMAH IS NOT A UTOPIAErdoğan stated that educational institutions and youth gatherings are a critical threshold in building awareness of the ummah. Noting that universities should increase their international academic cooperation, Erdoğan concluded his remarks by saying, “We must create mechanisms that will enable the idea of the ummah to cease being an unattainable utopia and become a reality in practice. Science diplomacy will be one of the most important instruments for achieving this.”

Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu, Head of Foreign Relations of the Anatolian Federation, explained the key role of civil society organizations in global peace and diplomacy at the 20th Anatolian Gatherings.The 20th Anatolian Gatherings continue to address all aspects of the activities of civil society organizations at local and international levels. On the final day of the gatherings, Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu, Head of Foreign Relations of the Anatolian Federation, took the stage and delivered a comprehensive presentation titled “The Effects of Local and International Activities of NGOs on Civil Diplomacy.” Eminoğlu pointed out that traditional methods of diplomacy between states have now been replaced by a conscientious stance and civil initiatives.IF THERE IS VALUE, THERE IS DIPLOMACYEmphasizing that the fundamental element in diplomacy is the production of cultural and moral values, Eminoğlu stated that structures without an aspiration cannot have an impact in the international arena. Referring to the importance of being able to present one’s own civilizational values on a universal scale, Eminoğlu said, “Those without an ideal have nothing to say. If you are going to conduct diplomacy in an area, first of all, you need to have something to say. What holds a nation together is that nation’s moral values, religious understanding, philosophical foundation, way of thinking, way of producing, culture of consumption... If it has an aspiration in all these areas, if it has put forward a value, then it can conduct the diplomacy of that.”PEOPLE-CENTERED COMMUNICATIONArguing that relations between states conducted behind closed doors are a thing of the past, Eminoğlu stated that communication between societies should no longer be used as a one-sided instrument of domination. Stating that they prefer a people-centered language of communication against hegemony, Eminoğlu said, “We have a conscientious stance that transcends borders, and we have an effort to convey this conscientious stance to every part of the world and to popularize our own values. A process that is predictable, open, transparent, and envisions both sides winning and that will make both sides happy needs to be carried out.”A NATION WITH AN ASPIRATION CAN MAKE A HUNDRED-YEAR CALCULATIONExplaining that the foundation of a successful foreign policy lies in winning without waging war, Eminoğlu emphasized that the greatest victories would not be won with weapons, but by conquering minds and hearts. Reminding that institutions such as the foundation system and the guild organizations in the Ottoman Empire constituted some of the strongest examples of civil diplomacy in history, Eminoğlu also referred to the vision of the Century of Türkiye. Eminoğlu concluded his presentation with the following words: “What we call the Century of Türkiye is the overall aspiration of a nation. Only a nation with an aspiration can make a hundred-year calculation.”

Writer Peren Birsaygılı Mut delivered a speech titled “Cultural Diplomacy and Literature” at the 20th Anatolian Gatherings. Mut drew attention to the historical role of literature in establishing unshakable bonds between societies.Taking the stage as part of the 20th Anatolian Gatherings organized by the Anatolian Federation in Ankara Kızılcahamam, esteemed writer and documentarian Peren Birsaygılı Mut shared with the participants the transformative impact of literature on diplomatic relations, accompanied by historical examples. Emphasizing that the most fundamental way to rebuild strong bridges with the rights in our sphere of hearts is through a shared literary memory, the writer stated that instilling this awareness particularly among young people is of vital importance.LET’S ADD BOOKS NEXT TO THE AID PACKAGESReferring to the place of literature in the struggle for dignity, Peren Birsaygılı Mut conveyed that art and words are not merely an aesthetic tool, but can also become the greatest weapon of resistance for freedom and honor, with the words, “They used to tell us, ‘Do not engage in literature.’ Yes, we did literature to defend the dignity of our people.” She also stated that the intense interest shown in Turkish literature at the book fair in Damascus was a reflection of this shared sense of destiny. In addition, she emphasized that cultural ties should be supported by humanitarian aid, saying, “When we take a novel, a book of poetry, or a book of stories to every home to which we deliver an aid package, our bonds will undoubtedly become much stronger.”CULTURAL DIPLOMACY SPREADS THROUGH LITERATUREReminding that cultural diplomacy spread throughout the Islamic world through literature long before modern tools, Mut stated that figures such as Ibn Battuta and Evliya Çelebi were the first architects of this bridge. As an example from recent history, she drew attention to the role undertaken by Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s Sebilürreşad magazine. “The horizon that sees Egypt as equal to India, Jerusalem to Baghdad, Damascus to Gaziantep actually offers us a very beautiful reflection,” the writer said, explaining to the participants how a magazine, despite limited means, could inspire a great awakening throughout the entire Islamic world.WE WILL CONTINUE TO WRITE LITERATUREEmphasizing that Türkiye’s global success in the field of humanitarian aid should be supported by the export of literature and culture, the writer stated that a literary mobilization is essential for the permanent establishment of regional peace. Mut outlined a cultural vision in this direction for civil society organizations and young people. In the final part of her speech, Mut emphasized how the West, and particularly the Zionist movement, transformed literature into an organized force in line with its own objectives, reminding the audience of the lessons that should be drawn from this situation. Expressing her wish that the youth of Anatolia and the youth of Jerusalem, Aleppo and Damascus come together around a shared horizon by reading the same books, the writer concluded her speech by saying, “We will continue to make literature in order to defend our dignity.”

Speaking at the 20th Anatolian Gatherings, Prof. Dr. Bekir Berat Özipek emphasized the necessity of a new language of civil communication against global injustices and crises.The 20th Anatolian Gatherings, organized by the Anatolian Federation, hosted Prof. Dr. Bekir Berat Özipek, one of Türkiye's leading political scientists and a faculty member at Istanbul Medipol University. In his presentation titled “Global Civil Communication and the Possibilities of a Cross-Border Conversation,” Özipek deeply analyzed the vital roles that civil society should undertake in the shadow of injustices in the modern world and ongoing conflicts. The academic called for a global awakening that appeals to the common conscience of humanity in the face of the declining legitimacy of the international system.A NEW ERA OF CIVIL CONSCIENCEBeginning his speech with a reference to James Baldwin's documentary “I’m Not Your Negro,” Özipek drew attention to the tragedy experienced by peoples marginalized by the global system. Stating that the West approaches human losses in Palestine and similar conflict zones with double standards, Özipek expressed this injustice with the words, “We were their Native Americans, they were us.” Emphasizing that the violation of international law by dominant powers demonstrates not only the strength of the system but also the dissolution of consent, Özipek pointed to the fact that hegemony cannot be permanent by saying, “You can win victory with bayonets, but you cannot sit on bayonets.”AN EQUAL, HIERARCHY-FREE AND DECENTRALIZED CONVERSATIONArguing that the solution lies in creating an environment of conversation that transcends nation-state borders and is equal, hierarchy-free and decentralized, Özipek addressed the role of civil society organizations at this point. He recalled that the work carried out by civil structures in different parts of the world offers a major opportunity to build this atmosphere of dialogue. Özipek underlined that a global movement based on rights, without calculations or ulterior motives, can be achieved through the common conscience of people from every faith. At the end of his speech, Özipek gave an example through a dream metaphor from Filibeli Ahmed Hilmi's work Amak-ı Hayal, explaining that in the struggle between good and evil, the true victory will come through the love that eliminates war. Özipek stated that a common word spoken with the right content would illuminate humanity, and his speech received great interest from the participants.

Prof. Dr. Muhittin Ataman, Member of the Presidential Foreign Policy and Security Council, drew attention to the chaos in the global system and the increasing role of civil society organizations in his speech at the 20th Anatolian Gatherings.Taking the stage at the 20th Anatolian Gatherings program held in Kızılcahamam, Ankara, Prof. Dr. Muhittin Ataman delivered a comprehensive presentation titled "The Crisis in the Global System: The Increasing Influence of NGOs." Describing today's world as a transition process dominated by a lack of rules and uncertainties, Ataman explained the vital roles that civil society organizations should undertake against increasing economic inequalities, technological threats, and movements targeting the structure of society in the international system.PALESTINE IS A MAJOR TEST FOR GLOBAL ACTORSAssessing the current situation in the world, Ataman stated that there is no longer a rules-based international order. Referring to the dimensions of global competition and the weakening of hegemonic powers, the experienced academic emphasized that we have entered a period in which the powerful determine the rules. Ataman summarized this situation with the words, "There is no system, there are no rules; in plain terms, we are going through a transition process in which the law of the jungle prevails." Stating that what is happening particularly in Palestine is a major test for global actors, Ataman said that when the interests of the dominant powers are threatened, they completely disregard international law.AFRICA IS WHAT FEEDS EUROPEProf. Dr. Ataman also addressed the contemporary manifestations of economic inequalities and colonialism, explaining that Africa's resources are exploited by Western states. Giving a striking example through Niger and France, Ataman said, "They always tell us that it is as if Europe is trying to feed Africa, but the picture that is absolutely true is exactly the opposite. It is Africa that has been feeding Europe for centuries." He added that the people of the region are now aware of the injustices taking place and have become conscious of exploitation.THREATS TARGETING HUMAN NATUREDrawing attention to the gap filled by civil society organizations in new-generation crises that states struggle to cope with, Ataman stated that the most important function of NGOs is to set the agenda for the real problems in the world. Arguing that NGOs should lead the struggle against threats targeting human nature, such as digitalization, techno-feudalism created by artificial intelligence monopolies, and desexualization, Ataman concluded his remarks as follows: "Now, for example, there is no Turkey front; in my opinion, there is not even an Islamic front. There is now a humanity front. Because as of today, there are very serious and major problems that humanity as a whole is facing. All well-intentioned people need to step forward as representatives of the humanity front and put their hands under the stone."