Award Topics
The topic for the 2010 award was "Multiculturalism in the Governance of the European Union and Turkish Accession". Participants studied the issues and challenges that multiculturalism presents for the governance of the European Union. In particular, the authors assessed the benefits and contributions of Turkey’s accession to the EU’s governance in meeting these challenges. The fifth Sakıp Sabancı International Research Awards were given at a ceremony held on Tuesday, June 8th, at Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum - the Seed. The ceremony was hosted by Güler Sabancı, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and President Professor A. Nihat Berker. The winner of the first prize was Juliette Tolay from University of Delaware.
Winners
The first prize: Juliette Tolay, University of Delaware, with her essay titled: "Turkey’s Other Multicultural Debate: Lessons for the EU".
Second prize: Dr. Akça Ataç, Çankaya University, with her work titled "Another Brick on The Tower of Babel: Turkey's Possible Challenges and Contributions to The EU’s Language Policy".
Third prize: Yrd. Doç. Dr. Şener Aktürk; Visiting Lecturer, Department of Government, Harvard University; Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Koç University, with his work titled "The Impact of Ethno-Religious Demography on Strengthening Secularism and the
Dynamics of Multiculturalism: Turkey’s Accession into the European Union".
Jury
Prof. Dr. Sabri Sayarı: Sabancı University
Joost Lagendijk: Sabancı University
Prof. Dr. Ziya Öniş: Koç University
Dr. Philip Robins: St Antony's College
Prof. Dr. Uffe Ostergaard: Copenhagen Business School
Prof. Dr. Raoul Motika: Universität Hamburg
Winning Articles
Juliette Tolay / Turkey's Other Multicultural Debate: Lessons for the EU
Akça Ataç / Another Brick on the Tower of Babel: Turkey's Possible Challenges and Contributions to the EU's Language Policy
Şener Aktürk / The Impact of Ethno-Religious Demography on Strengthening Secularism and the Dynamics of Multiculturalism: Turkey's Accession into the European Union
Please do not cite or reproduce without permission of the author.
Keynote Speeches
Joost Lagendijk
Notes for speech on behalf of the jury at the 2010 Sakip Sabanci Award ceremony at the Sabanci Museum on June 8, 2010
Winner: Juliette Tolay
Doctoral candidate at the University of Delaware, USA
Title of essay: Turkey’s Other Multicultural Debate: Lessons for the EU
Most of the time in relation between Turkey and EU: Turkey has to adapt to European standards
At two levels: bringing legislation in line with EU acquis (negotiating about chapters) and political reforms necessary to fulfill Copenhagen criteria
One way street: EU asks/demands, Turkey has to change laws/mentality. Therefore the word ‘negotiations’ is totally wrong.
Also on migration: Turkey has to deliver: sign a re-admission agreement (accept returned migrants from Europe), introduce biometrical passports, guard the borders better. EU will assist Turkey the coming years with hundreds of millions euro’s to try and reach these goals. Then, maybe, EU countries will soften their visa policy.
On multiculturalism: EU often lectures Turkey on the lack of rights for ethnic and religious minorities. Situation in EU member states very different + all have problems with dealing with new migrants. Still, again one way street.
That makes this essay so refreshing: two way street approach
It looks at the way Turkey, Turkish society, deals with migrants. Not only the ‘traditional’ ones with Turkic background but also the new ones from Africa and Asia. In a way restoring the multicultural character of the Ottoman Empire that was lost during the Turkish republic.
Have to be careful there with the numbers. In Turkey we are speaking of relatively small numbers, not to be compared with the situation in the Ottoman Empire in the past and the present numbers of migrants in EU member states.
Still, very interestingly, the author looks at the way these new migrants are being seen and treated in Turkey:
Main characteristics:
Few limitations on getting into the country
No official policy on integration
Flexibility in society in accommodating the newcomers
No ‘unhealthy’ debate on multiculturalism
In EU: exactly the opposite
Can EU learn something from Turkey? Again, be careful because magnitude of problems and history of migration politics are totally different.
Still: provocative proposal for the EU to look more carefully at Turkey’s (lack of) migration policy. Is more in line with ‘the nature of the globalized world that is encouraging new forms of mobility’. Maybe the EU should accept migration and multiculturalism as facts of life that can better be handled in a flexible way than try to regulate each and every movement in detail.
It makes you think. It makes you smile. It makes you wonder.
And that makes it a good essay that deserves to win this price.
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