The “Organization of Turkic States Simulation TDTS’25”, organized in partnership with Üsküdar Üniversitesi and the Turkey Economic Political and Strategic Research Center (TESAM), concluded with its closing program. The event, which brought together prominent figures from bureaucracy and academia, discussed the geopolitical position and historical processes of the Turkic world.
The simulation training, which started in the Şehit Duha Beker Conference Hall at Üsküdar Üniversitesi South Campus, lasted three days. In this context, students gained practical experience by individually simulating the countries they represented.
The closing of the program took place in the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Central Campus. Many academicians and students attended the program, including Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Retired Ambassador Halil Akıncı, Former Founding Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States; Dr. İlyas Bozkurt, President of TESAM; Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan, Director of ÜSSAM; and Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taşağıl, Head of the History Department at Yeditepe University.
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak: “The world cannot be read only from a Western-centric perspective”
Prof. Dr. Deniz Ülke Kaynak, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, delivered the opening speech of the program. Kaynak emphasized the strategic importance of conducting the simulation specifically for the ‘Organization of Turkic States’.
Stating, “The world cannot be read only from a Western or European-centric perspective,” Prof. Dr. Kaynak added; “If you read the world through the map drawn by the victors of the Second World War and the status quo they established, you will fall behind. New worlds are being built, and Turkey will undoubtedly take its place in these new worlds.”
Dr. İlyas Bozkurt: “Your generation will govern the world”
Pointing to the critical role of simulation trainings in the career journey of young people, TESAM President Dr. İlyas Bozkurt said; “In the future, that is, in 10-20 years, your generation will govern the world. If we consider a university student today to be, on average, 20-25 years old, roughly a quarter of a century from now, you will shape the world. I believe that the cadres governing Turkey will emerge from among you, who are present in these halls today. Young people preparing for great duties should discover themselves with this motivation during their high school and university years.”
Panel held
Following the opening speeches, a special panel session was held to discuss the present and future of the Turkic world.
The moderation was undertaken by Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan, Head of the Political Science and International Relations Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Director of ÜSSAM.
Retired Ambassador Halil Akıncı, Former Founding Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, and Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taşağıl, Head of the History Department at Yeditepe University, participated as speakers in the panel.
Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan: “Turkic states are in a position to cooperate”
Speaking at the opening of the panel, Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan drew attention to the rapprochement in the Turkic world. Arslan stated; “For the first time in history, Turkic states are this close to each other and are in a position to cooperate. The peoples in the region see Turkey and the Turks as a balancing element. Having the same religion and culture places a great responsibility on us.”
Retired Ambassador Halil Akıncı: “Keeping them all together is a great achievement”
Ambassador Halil Akıncı, referring to the establishment processes and diplomatic background of the Organization of Turkic States, stated; “For the first time in their history, Turks came together voluntarily. The greatest principle of the Organization is sovereign equality and respect for existing commitments. This is a miracle because some of us are NATO members, while others are members of the CIS or the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Despite this, keeping them all together is a great achievement. Turkic states are in a core position, and we should cooperate with anyone around this core who benefits us.”
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taşağıl: “We are living in a golden age”
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Taşağıl, sharing his observations from the field and historical perspective, stated that the Turkic world is experiencing its strongest period in history in terms of population and quality. Giving examples from past unifications, Taşağıl said; “For the first time in their history, Turks have reached such a large population. In terms of quality, there is an educated and brilliant youth. I believe we are currently living in a golden age. These unifications occurred during the periods of Metehan and Mukan Kağan in the Göktürks, and today we are in a similar process. The important thing is to be able to scientifically explain Turkic migrations and not lose this young population, this golden age.”
The program concluded after the panel with the presentation of certificates to the speakers and students who successfully completed the simulation, followed by a group photo session.