Bosphorus University: the aim is not to make a choice between two opposing extremes
Milliyet on 25 May 2005
Professors Selim Deringil and Edhem Eldem, faculty members of the Bosphorus University history department organized a press conference at the university because of the postponement of the conference on the subject of 'Ottoman Armenians at the End of Empire: Academic Responsibility and Issues of Democracy.
[...]
Professor Eldem stated that they, as Bosphorus University members of the organizing committee, participated in the process that led to the formulation of this decision which was undertaken with great sorrow: 'We want to note that we fully support our administration on this decision. It is disturbing that a state university that holds academic freedom above all else and that has responsibly maintained this attitude up until this day has been identified, with unjust accusations, as a target. The one that would lose the most as a consequence of these developments will, unfortunately, be Turkey.' [...] in order to give you a sense of the content of this conference which did not actualize, we think it would be most appropriate for you to hear a small section from the opening remarks my colleague Selim Deringil would have delivered [...].
[...] this conference was convened for the discussion of some topics that are not overtly researched perhaps because it is preferred that they remain in the dark [...] until now debated in a one-sided manner both in Turkey and in Armenia as well as among the Armenian communities identified as the diaspora and claimed that the sides accused one another through a debate that centered around the attributes of the 1915-1917 events [...] Our aim is to leave this conflictual and barren style aside to [instead] approach the issue in a much wider historical context. [...] Our aim is not to make a choice between two opposing and irreconcilable extremes, but to search for ways to present, as objectively as possible, the thoughts, experiences and actions of people who lived and died a century ago. [...] such a discussion environment had not been created until today [...] a group comprising of students made a declaration in support of their professors. [...].
In the declaration of the Council of Higher Education (YOK) regarding the meeting on the subject 'Ottoman Armenians at the End of Empire: Academic Responsibility and Issues of Democracy', it was noted that 'it is unfortunate for Turkish higher education that such formulations can take place in university settings.
'In the declaration issued by YOK, it was expressed that one of the basic functions of universities was to widely disseminate the knowledge acquired from research {supposedly this is research done only by the Turkish governement sponsored institutions not universities}.
The declaration, which noted that this dissemination could take place through various activities such as meetings, conferences and scientific publications, also declared that science necessitated, in this process, the presence of all types of thought and viewpoints {are we talking about the imposition of the Turkish government viewpoints or free research of history?}.
[...]
[...] the press declaration of the Historical Foundation, a civil society organization:
[...] Our Country Shall Overcome the Chauvinism and Bigotry of the 19th Century'
[...]
That the vulgar insults and threats directed to Bosphorus University {by YOK} which are contrary to the essence of the concept of a university have been expressed by a government spokesman is not only an unacceptable attitude against our scientific institutions and academic freedom, but it is also, in terms of our intellectual life, a horrific development that goes against both the government's own program as well as its national and international commitments.
As a civil society organization that for fourteen years has been active in the field of history, we once again declare on this occasion that we are in solidarity with our three universities that have been subjected to unjust attacks during the preparation stage of a scientific conference and with all the people of science who work on topics that are considered taboos.
The Historical Foundation that takes a stand against religious, ethnic and cultural discrimination and that works to transform history in Turkey from a prose of self-congratulation to a scientific endeavor will, in spite of all hindrances, continue to contribute to the understanding of all significant processes of Turkish history through scientific research and discussion, and will work jointly with all individuals and organizations that share this vision.
Orhan SilierDirector of the Administrative Council
Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears Here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...].The bold emphasis is mine.
Professors Selim Deringil and Edhem Eldem, faculty members of the Bosphorus University history department organized a press conference at the university because of the postponement of the conference on the subject of 'Ottoman Armenians at the End of Empire: Academic Responsibility and Issues of Democracy.
[...]
Professor Eldem stated that they, as Bosphorus University members of the organizing committee, participated in the process that led to the formulation of this decision which was undertaken with great sorrow: 'We want to note that we fully support our administration on this decision. It is disturbing that a state university that holds academic freedom above all else and that has responsibly maintained this attitude up until this day has been identified, with unjust accusations, as a target. The one that would lose the most as a consequence of these developments will, unfortunately, be Turkey.' [...] in order to give you a sense of the content of this conference which did not actualize, we think it would be most appropriate for you to hear a small section from the opening remarks my colleague Selim Deringil would have delivered [...].
[...] this conference was convened for the discussion of some topics that are not overtly researched perhaps because it is preferred that they remain in the dark [...] until now debated in a one-sided manner both in Turkey and in Armenia as well as among the Armenian communities identified as the diaspora and claimed that the sides accused one another through a debate that centered around the attributes of the 1915-1917 events [...] Our aim is to leave this conflictual and barren style aside to [instead] approach the issue in a much wider historical context. [...] Our aim is not to make a choice between two opposing and irreconcilable extremes, but to search for ways to present, as objectively as possible, the thoughts, experiences and actions of people who lived and died a century ago. [...] such a discussion environment had not been created until today [...] a group comprising of students made a declaration in support of their professors. [...].
In the declaration of the Council of Higher Education (YOK) regarding the meeting on the subject 'Ottoman Armenians at the End of Empire: Academic Responsibility and Issues of Democracy', it was noted that 'it is unfortunate for Turkish higher education that such formulations can take place in university settings.
'In the declaration issued by YOK, it was expressed that one of the basic functions of universities was to widely disseminate the knowledge acquired from research {supposedly this is research done only by the Turkish governement sponsored institutions not universities}.
The declaration, which noted that this dissemination could take place through various activities such as meetings, conferences and scientific publications, also declared that science necessitated, in this process, the presence of all types of thought and viewpoints {are we talking about the imposition of the Turkish government viewpoints or free research of history?}.
[...]
[...] the press declaration of the Historical Foundation, a civil society organization:
[...] Our Country Shall Overcome the Chauvinism and Bigotry of the 19th Century'
[...]
That the vulgar insults and threats directed to Bosphorus University {by YOK} which are contrary to the essence of the concept of a university have been expressed by a government spokesman is not only an unacceptable attitude against our scientific institutions and academic freedom, but it is also, in terms of our intellectual life, a horrific development that goes against both the government's own program as well as its national and international commitments.
As a civil society organization that for fourteen years has been active in the field of history, we once again declare on this occasion that we are in solidarity with our three universities that have been subjected to unjust attacks during the preparation stage of a scientific conference and with all the people of science who work on topics that are considered taboos.
The Historical Foundation that takes a stand against religious, ethnic and cultural discrimination and that works to transform history in Turkey from a prose of self-congratulation to a scientific endeavor will, in spite of all hindrances, continue to contribute to the understanding of all significant processes of Turkish history through scientific research and discussion, and will work jointly with all individuals and organizations that share this vision.
Orhan SilierDirector of the Administrative Council
Note: Above are excerpts from the article. The full article appears Here. Clarifications and comments by me are contained in {}. Deletions are marked by [...].The bold emphasis is mine.
posted by Vahe Balabanian at 7:07 AM
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