Strengthening German-Turkish relations through the exchange of people, knowledge, and ideas
Grand opening of the “Istanbul Policy Center - Sabancı University - Stiftung Mercator Initiative“
Stiftung Mercator and Sabancı University proudly invite you to the grand opening of the Istanbul Policy Center - Sabancı University - Stiftung Mercator Initiative on February 1, 2012. The event starts at 17:30 and takes place at the Sabancı Museum.
After welcoming remarks by Güler Sabancı (Chairman, Sabancı University Board of Trustees), Bernhard Lorentz (President, Stiftung Mercator), Nihat Berker (President, Sabancı University) and Fuat Keyman (Director, Istanbul Policy Center) the former Turkish Minister of Treasury Kemal Derviş (Senior Advisor, Istanbul Policy Center; Vice President, Brookings Institution), Daniel Gros (Director, Center for European Policy Studies) and Klaus Scharioth (German Ambassador (Ret.); Dean, Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs) will participate in a panel discussion entitled Policy Challenges for Turkey and the EU: A 2012 Perspective. Subsequently a cocktail reception will take place.
We proudly invite you to the grand opening:
Istanbul Policy Center – Sabancı University – Stiftung Mercator Initiative
Wednesday, February 1, 2012, 17:30
The Seed, Sabancı University Sakip Sabanci Museum
(Sabanci Caddesi No. 42, Emirgan Istanbul, 34467)
Photo Shoot:
At 19:30 a photo shoot of the speakers will take place on stage in the main event hall. This photo shoot is open to the press. Please, no front row pictures.
Accreditation:
Press accreditation is mandatory. For accreditation or further questions please contact Mrs. Nesrin Balkan through email (nesrin (at) sabanciuniv.edu) or telephone (+90 542 432 89 98) before January 30, 2012.
Program
17:30 Arrival of the Guests / Welcoming
18:00 Welcoming Remarks and Brief Introductions
Güler Sabancı, Chairman, Sabancı University Board of Trustees
Bernhard Lorentz, President, Stiftung Mercator
Fuat Keyman, Director, Istanbul Policy Center
Nihat Berker, President, Sabancı University
18:30 Panel Discussion: Policy Challenges for Turkey and the EU: A 2012 Perspective
Kemal Derviş, Senior Advisor, Istanbul Policy Center; Vice President, Brookings Institution
Daniel Gros, Director, Centre for European Policy Studies
Klaus Scharioth, Dean of the Mercator Fellowship on International Affairs, Stiftung Mercator
19:30 Cocktail Reception
About the project:
The Istanbul Policy Center - Sabancı University - Stiftung Mercator Initiative highlights the essential importance of German-Turkish relations for both countries’ future in a European context. Especially now that the European nation states face enormous economic and political challenges, Stiftung Mercator and Sabancı University enter into an enduring cooperation in the field of academia in order to further strengthen German-Turkish and European-Turkish relations.
The Initiative is founded on the belief that mutual interest and knowledge, and the exchange of people and ideas are the corner stone for tolerance and international dialog. Within the framework of the Initiative Istanbul Policy Center (IPC), one of Turkey’s most influential think-tanks, will expand its capacities and resources in three areas of cooperation (EU/Germany-Turkey relations, Climate Change and Education). At the heart of the Initiative is the Mercator Fellowship Program, which will allow a large number of international scholars to work at IPC on research projects related to the three areas of cooperation.
Through the funding and promotion of excellent and visionary academics, the publication and target-oriented distribution of research results and the organization of practical projects, the Initiative will raise awareness on current key issues among decision makers as well as the broader public. At the same time, reform strategies and policy advice will be established in order to give impetus to political and social reform in order to jointly prepare for the challenges of the 21st century.