The conference entitled “The Draft of the New Turkish Constitution” will bring together 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.

Monday, March 3rd: 9:00-6:30
International Affairs Building, Room 1501

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).

For more information, please contact Ahmet Kuru: ak2840@columbia.edu

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