Freedom in Türkiye

Perspectives on Freedom in Türkiye: Freedom Research Association Survey Results, Farewell and Welcome

With liberal democracies facing the threat of democratic backsliding around the world, it is crucial to understand how people view the values of freedom. In Türkiye today, liberalism continues to exist as a smaller movement on the political spectrum. This view, which advocates a model of society based on individual rights, freedoms and pluralism, is far from being a widely accepted ideology, even though it sometimes stands out as a counterweight to authoritarian tendencies. The social and political impact of liberalism fluctuates depending on the periodic conditions and government policies.

For all these reasons, the event was organized to promote a nuanced understanding of the values of freedom through the lens of Turkish society and its comparison with Europe. To this end, a series of insightful discussions, presentations and comparative analyses were presented, inviting participants to reflect on their perceptions of freedom. The event kicked off with a keynote address by Anne Brasseur, member of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom board of directors, who provided an overview of the values of freedom in the context of 2024. Brasseur laid the foundation for discussions, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in defending and promoting freedoms globally.

The Freedom Research Association then presented its latest public opinion survey on the perception of freedom values in Turkish society. The research was influential in that it provided empirical evidence and grounded the debate not only in theory but also in Türkiye's current social and political realities. The survey revealed the gap between the perception of freedom in Turkish society and the actual state of freedom. The data presented highlighted varying attitudes towards individuals' perception of freedom and sparked discussions about societal expectations and reality.

This data-driven session, moderated by Beate Apelt from FNF Türkiye, offered an in-depth look at how freedom is understood, valued, and challenged within different segments of the population in Türkiye. Volkan Aslan’s contributions to the discussion were crucial in providing academic context to the findings. In the same discussion, Marthin Kothé provided a comparative perspective and shared his views on the perception of freedom values in Europe. Through this comparison, it was emphasized that although freedom is a common value, it can be interpreted in different ways depending on the historical, social and political context. Kothé also emphasized the global importance of the freedom discourse in 2024 by drawing important contrasts and parallels between the Turkish and European contexts.

These discussions were essential, as they provided a multi-layered understanding of how freedom is perceived both locally and internationally, offering attendees a comprehensive view of the current landscape.

The event concluded with a farewell speech from the outgoing head of the FNF Türkiye, Beate Apelt, followed by a welcome speech from the new head, Aret Demirci, marking a moment of transition and continued commitment to the values discussed throughout the day. Participants then gathered for a networking reception, where they had the opportunity to connect, reflect, and discuss the key points raised during the event in an informal setting.