Conference "The New Draft Constitution of Turkey"

Date : Monday, March 3 , 2008 - 9:00 am - 6:30 pm

Venue: Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, Room 1501
420 West 118th Street New York, NY 10027

The conference entitled "The Draft of the New Turkish Constitution" will bring together the academics and politicians who have drafted the new constitution with scholars of democratic theory and comparative constitutions in a way that both side exchange critical views and share them with the public audience. The declared aim of the new constitution project is to contribute to the process of liberalization of Turkey's political and legal systems as part of its integration to the European Union.

This conference is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Democracy, Toleration, and Religion (CDTR) and the Institute for Religion, Culture and Public Life (IRCPL) at Columbia University, and Turkish Cultural Center (TCC).

Draft Program:
09:00-09.40 - Registration and Breakfast

09:40-10:00 - Opening Remarks -- Professor Alfred Stepan

10:00-12:00 - Session One
Prof. Ergun Ozbudun, Bilkent University
Mir Dengir Mehmet Firat, Vice Chairman of the AK Party
Cuneyt Yuksel, Turkish Parliamentarian

12:00-2:00 - Lunch Break

2:00-3:45 - Session Two
Prof. Alfred Stepan, Columbia University, "Reflections on Democratic
Constitutions"
Prof. Andrew Arato, New School of Social Research, "Political and Legal
Questions of Constitutional Amendment and of New Constitution Making:
1982-2008."

3:45-4:15 - Coffee Break

4:15-5:30 - Session Three
Prof. Alfred Stepan, Columbia University
Prof. Andrew Arato, New School of Social Research
Prof. Ergun Ozbudun, Bilkent University
Mir Dengir Mehmet Firat, Vice Chairman of the AK Party
Cuneyt Yuksel, Turkish Parliamentarian

5:30 - Reception

For more information,
Please Contact Ahmet Kuru:
ak2840@columbia.edu
Turkish Food will be served
Admission Free