Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “I have a dream. A World Parliament should be established.”

The 1^st Political Psychology Symposium organized by Üsküdar University Political Psychology Application and Research Center in collaboration with Oxford University, brought together academicians from both universities. The theme of the symposium was “Psychology of Chaos, Complexity and Cooperation in Post-Truth World”. In addition, Doctoral Honoris Causa was presented upon Oxford University Faculty Member Prof. Lord Alderdice by Üsküdar University Senate within the scope of the symposium. Prof. Lord John Alderdice was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Üsküdar University Senate for his scientific work in the fields of political psychology and psychiatry as well as the projects he developed in the field of international relations and his unique contributions to world peace. Üsküdar University Founding President Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that politicians are distant to psychology but scientists should do their duty and understand psychology. Prof. Tarhan continued as; “There is such a need in the world. I have a dream. When we look at the struggle for civilizations in the world, I think that for a world peace in the world, world parliament should be established. If every country is equally represented in this world parliament, problems in the world will be solved. The best way to combat terrorism, ethnic and religious radicalism is to initiate open dialogue area. When people start to have dialogue, they see that most of the problems can be solved.”
 
Leading the Northern Ireland Alliance Party for 11 years, Prof. Lord Alderdice played an important role in negotiating the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement of 1998 in the development of the Irish Peace Process, and in 1996 he was chosen as the youngest member of the House of Lords by the Queen of England for his efforts. Prof. Lord Alderdice is presented Doctoral Honoris Causa by Üsküdar University Senate. Prof. Lord John Alderdice is deemed worthy of an honorary doctorate by the Üsküdar University Senate for his scientific work in the fields of political psychology and psychiatry as well as the projects he developed in the field of international relations and his unique contributions to world peace.



Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: Lord Alderdice made great efforts for political psychology.

Üsküdar University Founding President Prof. Nevzat Tarhan made the welcome speech of the symposium organized in collaboration with Üsküdar University Political Psychology Application and Research Center and Oxford University. Prof. Tarhan said that they planned two important events for the day which included the 1^st Political Psychology Symposium as well as Doctoral Honoris Causa upon Lord Alderdice. Prof. Nevzat Tarhan added, “Long journeys start with one step and fires start with a spark. As a university, we are beginning to work in the scientific field with the authority of political psychology. I believe this is crucial for the world and we will also present Honorary Doctorate to Dear Lord Alderdice, who has worked hard on this issue. I would like to thank you for accepting our invitation.”

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: Certain steps should be taken to make the world a better place.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that political psychology is an important field and he continued, there is a struggle between good and evil in the world. You see in cartoon films, sometimes good ones win, sometimes bad winners. This is a struggle that has existed since the existence of humanity. Even in recent years this struggle between good and evil is called social entropy. As you know, entropy is the second law of thermodynamics. According to this law, which is defined as the rise of entropy, the universe is going from order to disorder. In behavioral entropy, the universe is moving from order to disorder if there is no external intervention, but it gets in order if there is outside intervention. If we do not work in the garden of our house, the garden is covered with couch grass. If we don't light this place, it becomes dark. If we don't warm this place, it gets cold. In the universe, entropy exists in the field of psychology. If we don't increase the good and beautiful things in the universe, the evil rises. Therefore, if people who claim to be good, do not act then comes back as evil. There is a saying in Anatolia. The best way to fight the dark is to light candles. For this reason, political psychology stands behind the idea that if we do not strive for good in the world, the world will turn evil. It is necessary to take steps to make the world better and livable place.

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “I have a dream. World parliament should be established.”

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan reminded Turkish thinker and sociologist Cemil Meriç’s statement. Prof. Tarhan said, “Cemil Meriç stated ‘Our greatest enemy is prejudice, the biggest need is dialogue.’ Think of the fights in society and in the family. The Pareto Principle is the 80-20 rule. In other words, if you solve 20% of the problems, the remaining 80% will be solved. This is also the case in the political arena. Politicians remain distant to psychology. But we should do our part. There is such a need in the world. I have a dream. When we look at the struggle for civilizations in the world, I think that for a world peace in the world, world parliament should be established. If every country is equally represented in this world parliament, problems in the world will be solved. The best way to combat terrorism, ethnic and religious radicalism is to initiate open dialogue area. When people start to have dialogue, they see that most of the problems can be solved.



Prof. Nevzat Tarhan presented Doctoral Honoris Causa upon Prof. Lord Alderdice

After the presentation, Doctoral Honoris Causa is presented upon Oxford University Faculty Member Prof. Lord Alderdice by the Üsküdar University Senate. Üsküdar University Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty, Director of Political Psychology Application and Research Center Prof. Deniz Ülke Arıboğan read the presentation of the reason behind the Honorary Doctorate. Prof. Arıboğan stated that Prof. Lord John Alderdice is deemed worthy of an honorary doctorate by the Üsküdar University Senate for his scientific work in the fields of political psychology and psychiatry as well as the projects he developed in the field of international relations and his unique contributions to world peace. Prof. Nevzat Tarhan presented the Honorary Doctorate Degree and wore his robe.



Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)