The first of its kind event, the “Common Mind Workshop” took place at the Miracle Hotel in Antalya, Turkey. It was held between January 11-13, 2013 and was organized by the Directorate for Turks Abroad and Related Communities of the Republic of Turkey. The focus of the workshop was the current status of the Turkish Diaspora, its achievements and challenges.
A total of 120 participants from 25 different countries attended the event. Most of the participants were representatives of various public institutions and associations, media members and academics. Fifty-two of them were diaspora members, representing their communities. Among the honorable attendees, were the President of the Directorate for Turks Abroad and Related Communities of the Republic of Turkey, Kemal Yurtnac; TAA’s President Dr. Faruk Taban, Gunay Evinc from ATAA; Haluk Unal from TASSA and Celal Secilmis from TACCI.
The workshop attendees discussed the current status of the Turkish Diaspora and its work to achieve a number of critical objectives. They also applied strategic management models in model solving of an array of pressing challenges and problems.
According to Dr. Taban, the atmosphere was very warm, friendly and informal, and the results coming out of workshop were significant and timely. He added that it was very exciting and informative to be in a forum where citizens come from all over the world to share their challenges and approaches. In his opinion, this type of communication and organizing is likely to make the diaspora more united and powerful.
