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 Eminoğlu pointed out that traditional methods of diplomacy between states have now been replaced by a conscientious stance and civil initiatives.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 DIPLOMACY
Emphasizing 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 COMMUNICATION
Arguing 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 CALCULATION
Explaining 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.”
