Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, in her presentation at the 20th Anatolian Meetings, emphasized the vital importance of cooperation between civil society and local governments in responding to crises.
On the third day of the 20th Anatolian Meetings, held in Ankara under the theme “The Century of Türkiye and Civil Diplomacy,” Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin met with participants in the final session. In her presentation titled “Resilient City Gaziantep,” Şahin shared details of the Gaziantep Model, created through the combination of local governments, the state mind, and civil initiatives, and conveyed her experiences in disaster management and social policies.
GAZİANTEP’S GOLDEN TRIANGLE
In her speech, Şahin shared details of the Gaziantep Model, created through the combination of local governments, the state mind, and civil initiatives, and touched upon the impact of this cooperation during times of crisis. Şahin likened this structure to a golden triangle, saying, “There is a state mind, but the local and civil spheres are very closely intertwined. This is what Gaziantep has achieved. The state mind stands here, while the local and civil spheres merge into each other. When you establish this golden triangle, society feels peaceful and happy.”
COOPERATION OF LOCAL AND CIVIL ACTORS
Stating that Gaziantep had successfully overcome major challenges such as migration and earthquakes thanks to this model, Şahin emphasized the strength of cooperation between local and civil actors. Drawing attention to the efforts undertaken to increase the city’s resilience, Mayor Şahin added that they are acting with climate and earthquake master plans, as well as a green industry vision. Recalling the difficulties experienced during the February 6 earthquakes, Şahin pointed to the importance of applying science and engineering uncompromisingly in terms of ensuring the safety of life.
GEOGRAPHY IS CHARACTER
Şahin also drew attention to the historical and cultural responsibilities carried by the region, saying, “Ibn Khaldun says geography is destiny, but I say geography is character. The children of this geography have to work very hard.” Emphasizing that sustainable development is essential for leaving livable cities to future generations, Şahin concluded her remarks by stating that civil participation is an indispensable element in building cities equipped with early warning systems and environmentally friendly technologies.
