Silent Values Federation held its first ordinary general assembly hosted by Üsküdar University

The 1st Ordinary General Assembly meeting of the Silent Values Federation (SEDEF), founded and chaired by President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, was held. At the meeting, attention was drawn to the social importance of silent values, the necessity of working for disadvantaged children and youth, and the understanding of volunteerism. Tarhan emphasized the importance of criticizability, libertarianism, pluralism, and participation, which are the fundamental principles of democratic culture, in the federation's activities. During the general assembly, the activity reports of the executive and supervisory boards and the estimated budget for the next period were discussed, and the principal and alternate members of the federation's mandatory bodies were also elected. 

The general assembly, held at Üsküdar University Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall, was attended by many association members, including President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, and Rector's Advisor Prof. İsmail Barış. 

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Silent values are actually a silent power”

Stating that silent values mean adherence to truths and a principled stance, President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, drew attention to the effects of digitalization and artificial intelligence on young people. Tarhan said: “Especially in the Silent Values Federation, we say that silent values are actually a silent power. You know, there’s a power called soft power; that is actually the power of silent values. Silent values also mean having a firm stance in truths, adhering to truths, and being principled. We see that humanity is currently experiencing a serious deviation globally brought about by rapid digitalization and artificial intelligence. Young people, in particular, are affected by this deviation. Here, we are more concerned with disadvantaged children. These disadvantaged children and young people are increasing much more than before. We see this in our clinical experience. Currently, young generations, young generations in developing societies, are in a complete victim status. The more people we can save from this fire, this flood, the more useful we will be.”

“Connecting with people is very valuable for us”

Tarhan, explaining the importance of volunteerism and the understanding of selfless kindness, said: “As ‘Haydi Tut Elimi’ (Come On, Hold My Hand), we have been trying to do this since 2010. Truly connecting with people and winning them over is very valuable for us. A young person who was protected by the association got married and has two children. We recently went to his child's circumcision. Its positive effect is so great that it seems to make us happier than it makes them. This selfless work related to silent values, which we try to do simply because we are good people and for divine pleasure, does not go in vain. The more we do this, the more we grow our strength with the right people in associations and federations, the more our influence increases. In structures like federations and confederations with many people, there will certainly be different ideas and different perspectives. In such a situation, we need to converge at a common ground by trying to understand them and by producing changes and solutions.”

“Having a high sense of belonging is very important”

Tarhan, emphasizing the importance of being open to different ideas and perspectives in the Silent Values Federation's activities, said: “We have a motto that we have been using since the establishment of our university. There are four words in the motto, these are the words of democratic culture. Criticizability: It is very important for a person to be open to criticism, especially to questioning. In recent years, we have rapidly seen the bad consequences of unexamined imitation cultures and obedience cultures in Eastern cultures. An unquestioned life is not a life at all. An unquestioned way of living means not having passed a test. A life that has not passed a test is considered not lived. For this reason, we will certainly experience these difficulties in the activities of the Silent Values Federation, but we will overcome them. Being open to criticism is very important. Libertarianism: 'This is my idea, this point must be reached.' None of us should say this. As fundamental principles, being libertarian and not trying to force one's own opinion. Mental flexibility is certainly very important here; one must possess it. Pluralism: Different people acting in a similar way for a similar purpose, but being different people. People of different temperaments, different characters, and different worldviews being able to act for the same purpose. This is already a level of human development. Participatory: Being a participant in the federation also means this. It is very important for everyone to take ownership of this as their own work, to have a high sense of belonging.” 

Work was done for SEDEF

The election of the presiding committee took place at the meeting. In this context, the Chairman of the Presiding Committee was Rector's Advisor Prof. İsmail Barış, the Vice Chairman was İlknur Önem, and the Secretary of the Presiding Committee was Edibe Serra Erol. 

Subsequently, the activity report of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board was read.

After the income and expenditure accounts were read, the estimated budget for the next period was discussed.

The meeting continued with the election of the principal and alternate members of the federation's mandatory bodies, followed by wishes and aspirations.

The SEDEF 1st Ordinary General Assembly meeting concluded with a group family photo session.