Amsterdam Debates are monthly organized discussion meetings initiated by two NGO’s; association of Dutch-Turkish writers and Turkevi Research Centre. Range of topics are during these meetings discussed. The form of the discussion changes per theme. Usually one initiator is invited, but several panellists are also usual. The intention is to create a full discussion between the attendees and the initiator.
The hosting NGO’s have the wish that the Dutch-Turkish middle class shows more involvement in society by attending such events. Main objectives of the Amsterdam Debates are; learning to analyse social and political structure and institutions, inter(cor)relationships of various domains / organizations, brainstorming, opinion and interpretation on current issues / trends. Beside all of the above stated these discussion meetings give the opportunity to network. Twenty six meetings are organized until now, a few, already treated, themes are:
– the frightened Netherlands
– Multicultural Drama
– Cordoba House: Clash of Civilizations or global peace?
– New World Order
– Global power of the Cinema
– Islamophobia in the Western World
– Postmodernism and Faithful Intellectuals
– The future of the United States of Europe
– Changing Turkey
– Freedom of religion and Alevism in Turkey
– Change of course of the Turkish Foreign Policy
– Turkish Organizations in the Netherlands
– The Socio-cultural value of Turkish theatre in the Netherlands
– Social Media
– The peace process in Turkey
– Youth and voluntary organizations
– Democratization Process in Turkey
– Brain drain
– The fourth power: media