"International Africa Symposium"
was held at Istanbul Gelisim University on the occasion of Africa Day, which coincides with May 25, with the work of academicians from IGUSAM, Political Science and Public Administration and Political Science and International Relations departments and in cooperation with MOKHA.
Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) Rector Prof. Dr. Bahri Şahin, Senegal Ambassador Cheikh Geye, Retired Ambassador Ahmet Kavas, Former Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister Ömer Faruk Korkmaz, ODAP Founding Director Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Semin and Diplomacy Foundation Director Dr. Oğuzhan Bilgin made the opening speech. The International Africa Symposium is of great importance in terms of evaluating new partnerships to be established between Turkey and Africa, taking into account the interests of both parties. The symposium offered an opportunity for academic researchers from various countries of Africa to clarify their ideas in the light of scientific discussion.
Stating that the relations between Türkiye and Africa date back to the 9th century, Istanbul Gelisim University Rector Prof. Dr. Bahri Şahin said: “Unlike European countries, Africa is not our field of interest. There is a relationship between Türkiye and African countries where mutual interests are taken into account in economic, cultural and diplomatic terms."
“The main purpose of the symposium is to ensure the mutual exchange of cultural information”
Prof. Dr. Şenol Durgun, member of the symposium organizing committee stated the following: As Türkiye became a rising power, its foreign relations began to strengthen. Although studies on the Balkans, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Europe and the Middle East are increasing in the academic community, relations with Africa are not as desired. With the increase in the number of embassies in Africa by Turkey for nearly 20 years, commercial and economic relations have developed between the two countries. Our university also uses these increasing relations in a more academic way. Our university organized a symposium to put the issue on a scientific basis. The main purpose of the symposium, to which many academics from Africa were invited as speakers, was to facilitate mutual cultural information exchange.''
Stating that TİKA has more than 22 representatives in Africa, Yunus Emre Institute and Turkish Maarif Foundation continue their support in Africa, Abdoul Fathi Sanogo also added that especially Turkish Maarif Foundation is known as one of the prestigious schools in Africa. Abdoul Fathi Sanogo stated that the scholarships given to African students are also of great benefit.
"Türkiye uses its cultural power very well"
Stating that Türkiye uses its cultural power very well in the international arena, Mouhamed Salih Ibrahim Omer stated that cooperation should be made in areas such as cinema, music, art and education.
Emphasizing the importance of relations between Africa and Türkiye, Senegal Ambassador Cheikh Geye said, "Politically, Africa plays a major role in international meetings. With 54 countries and 4 billion inhabitants, Africa is known as the continent of the future. Africa's sovereignty and autonomy must be respected in the support for climate change, poverty and food problems. Türkiye aims to benefit both countries in its relations with us."
