Last week, the Atatürkçü Düşünce Topluluğu (ADT; Kemalist Thought Society) brought two important figures in Turkish politics to campus to share their ideas and insights with Bilkent students.
On March 14, Ahmet Davutoğlu, former prime minister of Turkey and leader of the Gelecek Party, gave a talk. Hikmet Çetin, former minister of foreign affairs and former leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), spoke on March 18.
Mr. Davutoğlu offered his ideas on a number of issues, including Turkish foreign policy, Turkey’s place and importance in the world, the country’s future, and the role of youth. During the question period following his talk, he gave detailed answers to the questions posed by students in the audience.
Mr. Çetin, who was also welcomed with great interest by Bilkent students, spoke about topics including Turkish foreign policy, both in the Atatürk era and more recently, as well as the refugee problem and ethnic discrimination in general. He also related some of his own career experiences, and answered many questions from the audience.
On March 28, ADT will be hosting Ali Babacan, former minister of foreign affairs and the economy and leader of the Deva Party, for a talk at the Bilkent Concert Hall.