"A 60-Year Success Story: Germany, a Second Homeland" Panel Held in Berlin

To mark the 60th anniversary of migration from Türkiye to Germany, the panel "A 60-Year Success Story: Germany, a Second Homeland" was organized in Berlin, the capital of Germany, in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Berlin, Berlin International University of Applied Sciences and Bahçeşehir University (BAU).

The panel was hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Berlin on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of labor migration from various cities of Anatolia to Germany under the Labor Recruitment Agreement signed between Türkiye and Germany. The panel was attended by BAU President Prof. Dr. Şirin Karadeniz, BAU Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences faculty member Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Esmer, Director of the BAU Center for Urban and Migration Studies Prof. Dr. Ulaş Sunata, former Green Party member of parliament Özcan Mutlu, Dr. Barış Ülker from Berlin International University of Applied Sciences, Dr. Emine Neşe Yüksel and many Turkish citizens living in Germany. The panel began with opening speeches by Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Berlin Rıfkı Olgun Yücekök and BAU Global Chair Enver Yücel.

"Our People Have Contributed to Germany's Development"

Delivering the opening speech of the panel, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Berlin Rıfkı Olgun Yücekök began by reminding all participants that the consulate is the home of every Turkish citizen. Expressing his happiness at being together thanks to the valuable contributions of Bahçeşehir University, Yücekök said: "Sixty years is easier said than done. Among us today are guests who have been here for a full 59 years. We also have guests from the first and second generations who migrated to Germany. It is a great pleasure to see so many people together. There are 3.5 million Turks in Germany, which means a population larger than that of 20 provinces in Anatolia. There is enough capacity here to make up a province. Doctors, lawyers, dentists, hairdressers, auto mechanics, people working in construction and the machinery industry, young newcomers writing code, our artists, musicians and painters; in short, every color of our society is here with us in Germany. For 60 years, our people have contributed to Germany's development. This has made, and will continue to make, undeniable contributions to both our country and Germany. I would like to thank everyone for their valuable contributions and efforts, for raising wonderful children and for setting fine examples."

"Yesterday We Were Here with Our Physical Strength; Now We Are Here with Our Brainpower"

The other speaker who took the podium to deliver an opening speech was BAU Global Chair Enver Yücel. Recalling that they had also organized conferences and documentaries on the contributions of Turks to Germany on the 50th anniversary of migration between Türkiye and Germany, Yücel said: "Together we see that Türkiye has drawn and achieved a great success story in Germany. With our achievements here, we have recently set aside the notion that 'Europeans, the British or Americans do that.' We see that we have reached very important positions in science, art, sports and politics in Germany. We are doing things in every field, from sports to art. Yesterday we were here with our physical strength; now we are here with our brainpower. We have founded universities in Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and Georgia in accordance with the laws of those countries. Today there is a Turkish university next to the White House. Today there is a German university and a Gymnasium (high school) in Berlin, the capital of Germany. We strive to educate people for Germany's science and working life. We will do even better things in Germany. Through research projects, we will build a bridge of science and art between Berlin and Istanbul."

At the panel, moderated by BAU Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences faculty member Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Esmer, the moderator shared with participants a quote from German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who said that those who came from Türkiye played an important role in Germany reaching its strong position today: "You have enriched Germany economically, but above all humanly, through your presence and your hard work."

At the panel, Director of the BAU Center for Urban and Migration Studies Prof. Dr. Ulaş Sunata, former Green Party member of parliament Özcan Mutlu, Dr. Barış Ülker and Dr. Emine Neşe Yüksel discussed the 60-year migration journey in its various dimensions, starting from its historical background.

The special panel, held at the Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Berlin, concluded with a reception hosted by the Consulate General.