European Union Research and Application Center

>>Alemdar, Zeynep. “Bitcoin ile İnsan Hakları Arasında Türkiye’de Yeniden AB’yi Düşünmek” (Sosyal Demokrasi Dergisi - http://www.sosyaldemokratdergi.org/zeynep-alemdar-bitcoin-ile-insan-haklari-arasinda-turkiyede-yeniden-abyi-dusunmek/)(February, 2018)

>>A round table meeting titled “How to read refugee issue? Comparison between world and Turkey” was organized by the EU Center with cooperation of Istanbul Discussion Association. The meeting started with speeches of Metin Çorabatır, former press secretary of UNHCR and Şirin Duygulu Elcim, member of Şehir University International Relations department and continued by discussion session. (March 2018)

>>Center organized a panel titled “Women Rights and Gender Equality in EU Membership Process” by the cooperation of Economic Development Foundation and Istanbul Okan University. Director Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Alemdar took part in sessions as discussant and moderator. (March 2018).

>>Within the scope of the meetings organized by Istanbul Okan University European Union Research and Application Center a seminar entitled "Benefits of Customs Union, Problems and Current Discussions", held on 16 April 2018, was presented by Veyis Fertekligil. In this framework, the historical background of the relations between Turkey and the European Union, the importance and the needs of the customs union for both parties were evaluated. (April 2018)

>>Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Alemdar participated in the meeting titled “Contemporary Dynamics of Turkey-EU Relations”, coordinated by Economic Development Foundation and Istanbul Policy Center in the Brussel office of TOBB. (March 2017)

>>Academic staff of EU Center participated in the celebration event of ‘Europe Day’ with Istanbul Okan University international relations students. Academics, experts, NGO members and journalists from various institutions also took part in the event focusing on contemporary issues of Turkey-EU Relations. (May 2017)

>>The Center was represented in the meeting titled “Contemporary Issues in Turkey-EU Relations” organized by Ministry for EU Affairs on 13.12.2017 in Istanbul. Aslıhan Turan Zara from our Center participated in the brainstorming sessions enriched by the contributions of participants including Ambassador Selim Yenel, the Undersecretary of the Ministry for EU Affairs. Prominent issues and potential constructive initiatives were discussed in the meeting. (December 2017)

>>Center was represented in the meetings organized by Ömer Çelik, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator, in various European cities. Prof. Şule Kut, the Rector of Istanbul Okan University participated in the meeting on the relations of Turkey and EU, in London. Assoc. Prof. Zeynep Alemdar, participated in the meeting on common future of Turkey and EU, in Brussels.

>>Zeynep Alemdar, the director of the center, participated in the meeting, “European Identity and Turkey” organized in cooperation with Turkey-European Union Association to celebrate “Europe Day.”

>>The center organized “Seminar on EU Financial Aids and Youth Programs” in cooperation with the Department of International Relations. The officials from the Ministry for EU Affairs introduced the students to EU Financial Aids and funds for youths in the scope of Erasmus+ program. The students are given information about the funds from which they can benefit via both the Ministry for EU Affairs and Turkish National Agency, and EU Commission.

>>Articles on EU-Turkey relations were published in various media outlets.

Alemdar, Zeynep. “Will Turkey Help Europe on Refugees”, Judy Asks (Carnegie Europe). (http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=62596), (January 27, 2016)

Alemdar, Zeynep. “Syrian refugee crisis can help "re-energise" relations between Turkey and the EU” Brussels Times. (http://www.brusselstimes.com/eu-affairs/5146/syrian-refugee-crisis-can-help-re-energise-relations-between-turkey-and-the-eu) (March 1, 2016)

Alemdar, Zeynep. “Turkey needs more than the EU money”, Deutche Welle. http://www.dw.com/en/turkey-needs-more-than-the-eus-money/a-19094667 (March 6, 2016)

>>The center participated in the panel, “European Identity and Turkey” organized in cooperation with Turkey-European Union Association to celebrate “Europe Day.” (May 2015)

>>The director of the center delivered a speech “Turkey, Pending Membership Challenges and Opportunities,” in the seminar, “Europeanization Processes in the Black Sea Region” held in Bucharest, Romania (December 2015).

>>Zeynep Alemdar, the director of the center, participated in the OSCE Security Days held in Vienna, Austria (May 2014).

>>The director of the center delivered a speech titled “European Integration through the Cooperation of the Parliaments, Civil Society and the Independent Regulatory Bodies in Southeast Europe,” in European Movement Macedonia in Skopje, Macedonia (April 2013).

>> Our director was invited to the European Summer Academy for Leading Women. Alemdar gave a talk on “The Role of Women in the Arab Spring: Lessons from the Turkish Experience” in July 2012.

>> Prof. Dr. Ayhan Kaya from Istanbul Bilgi University, Department of International Relations who also holds the position of Jean Monnet Chair of European Politics of Interculturalism gave a seminar on “ Migration and Integration in Europe: Backlash of Multiculturalism and Republicanism” on 4 April 2012.

>> Our Center participated to the EU Coordination Meeting of the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the EU Ministry of Turkey, 26 April 2012.

>> We organized a roundtable meeting on Young Visions for Europe and Turkey with Turkish Policy Quarterly, where students of Okan and Beyrauth Universities came together. Asst. Prof. Umut Azak (Istanbul Okan University) Asst. Prof. Maya Arakon (Strasbourg University), Rana Birden Çorbacıoğlu (Global Relations Forum) and Zeynep Alemdar (Istanbul Okan University) discussed the problematic issues in Turkish politics that usually rise up in interactions with the EU, from secularism to Kurdish issue, and civil society’s problems to freedom of speech.

>> Nigar Göksel, senior analyist of the European Stability Initiative shared the details of the upcoming ESI study on “Visa-Free Travel? Turkey and the EU” on 15 December 2011.

>> Asst. Prof. Özgehan Şenyuva from Middle East Technical University, Department of International Relations, met with the International Relations students and faculty for a seminar he gave on “Turkish Public Opinion and EU Membership” on 23 November 2011.

>> Our Center participated to the EU Coordination Meeting of the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the EU Ministry of Turkey on 1 July 2011.

>> Our Center joined the Europe Day celebrations organized by Istanbul Governorship and Metropolitan Municipality.

>> Our Center participated the Economic Development Foundation and Turkey European Foundation’s meeting on civil society initiative for revitalizing the EU process.

>> Our Center participated to the EU Coordination Meeting of the Ministry of Interior Affairs on 21 April 2011.

Our Center became the member of a research project on “La candidature Turque à l’Union Européenne: Turquie en reforme?” supported by theMaison des sciences de l’homme en Bretagne (MSBH), Rennes, France in 2009.

Alemdar participated in the European Union Visitors Programme funded by the European Commission in June 2008.

Our Center participated the "Whose Memory - Which Future" organized by the Swedish Consulate, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University and Istanbul Bilgi University in 2007.

Istanbul Okan University European Union Research Center was founded in 2006.

>> Istanbul Okan University European Union Coordination Group was founded in 2005.

>> Istanbul Governor’s External Relations and EU Coordination Center signed an cooperation protocol with the Istanbul Okan University EU Coordination Group and the Department of International Relations in 2005.