Use of Technology in Local Governments

The sixth and final week of the Local Governments Academy 2 certificate program organized by the Bahçeşehir University School of Government and Leadership took place on Saturday, 22 October 2011, at Bahçeşehir University's Beşiktaş Campus.

The program, attended by Mayor of Şişli Mustafa Sarıgül, Mayor of Fatih Mustafa Demir, former Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Ali Müfit Gürtuna, Mayor of Kadıköy Selami Öztürk and Mayor of Ordu Seyit Torun, addressed topics such as how important the use of technology is for local governments and for resolving people's affairs, and the current state of the infrastructure and technological equipment of Istanbul's districts.

"A MAYOR SHOULD BE EVERYONE'S MAYOR"

Mustafa Sarıgül said, "If a mayor becomes the mayor only of those who elected him, he loses that day and can never be elected again. He must address every segment of society, make no distinction based on religion, race or political preference, and embrace the values of society."

Mustafa Demir said that the Fatih area has been home to 125 rulers who governed the world from here, that Fatih thus holds the status of the heart of civilization and is of great importance as the center of three great empires, and stated that they strive to carry out their work with respect for an area with 8,500 years of history.

Ali Müfit Gürtuna stated that administrations must never involve politics and self-interest, and that a very strong local government will emerge in a period when this is achieved. Otherwise, he said, that administration will turn into oppression and become a major obstacle to the development of society.

"LET'S NOT THROW OUR FUTURE AWAY"

Selami Öztürk explained that they care about the environment through the slogan "Let's Not Throw Our Future Away," the Waste Coordination Center and the ban on plastic bag use, and said that, not forgetting the reality of earthquakes, they had established a Concrete and Soil Testing Laboratory..

Seyit Torun said, "In a globalizing world, administrators who can empathize in line with the opportunities technology offers us will come to the fore. The fact that today's politics is focused on problem-solving, away from ideologies, also helps local administrators take seats in parliament. It should not be forgotten that local governments are the first step of politics. Our Prime Minister's term as mayor also has a great influence on his current success."