Conference on International Reconciliation Models
The Peace-building and Rights Program worked with Sabanci University to convene a Conference in Istanbul on International Reconciliation Models (May 2010). The conference was prescriptive, explaining international experience that would be relevant to challenges facing Turkey. In addition to issue affecting Turkey-Armenia relations, conference topics also addressed disarmament, demobilization and reintegration issues relevant to conditions in Turkey. Conference proceedings were published by the Istanbul Policy Center in English and Turkish.
In addition to issue affecting Turkey-Armenia relations, conference topics also addressed disarmament, demobilization and reintegration issues relevant to conditions in Turkey. Conference proceedings were published by the Istanbul Policy Center in English and Turkish.
Turkey-Armenia Dialogue Initiative
From December 16 – 17, 2010, ISHR’s Peacebuilding and Rights Program convened civil society leaders from Turkey and Armenia (13+13) at the Swedish Palace in Istanbul for the “Turkey-Armenia Dialogue Initiative.” The meeting was organized in association with Armenia’s International Center for Human Development and included representatives from 10 NGOs participating in the Turkish-Armenian Partnership Program, a 2- year initiative funded by USAID under the leadership of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation to support Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement through second track diplomacy.
The purpose of the dialogue, funded by the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was to evaluate Turkish-Armenian civil society activities aimed at deepening communication and cooperation, thereby advancing reconciliation. It aimed to assess previous collaborative activities developed by the Consortium partners, consider lessons learned, and propose strategies/approaches going forward and to communicate recommendations to concerned governments and stakeholders.
Strategies and project opportunities to advance the goal of Turkish-Armenian rapprochement were reviewed. Participants assessed experience, current conditions and opportunities for collaboration in the fields of (i) official relations, (ii) trade development, (iii) media, and (iv) civil society/culture. Over the next two years, partners agreed to undertake collaborative activities in each of their fields.
Track two activities create a context for civil society to develop mutual understanding with the goal of transferring their insights to decision-makers, shaping public opinion, and developing joint strategies for addressing shared problems. Joint efforts by civil society are even more important given lack of progress by the government of Turkey and Armenia with ratification of the protocols on recognition and normalization.
A follow-up meeting is planned in Yerevan (October 2011).
Turkey-Armenian Protocols Booklet
Phillips is conducting research and preparing a "Diplomatic History: Implementation Review of the Turkey-Armenian Protocols on Normalization and Recognition." Round tables with experts are planned in Yerevan, Ankara, New York, Washington, D.C. and Boston where Phillips is a Fellow at the Project on the Future of Diplomacy at Harvard University’s JFK School of Government.
