Regional Scale Civil Society Movements

We see that a new trend has emerged in skating compatriotism, and this trend is in the form of orientation towards regional civil society movements.

1. CIVIL SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS IN THE THIRD SECTOR

Civil society in the world is interpreted as a broad field. It is mostly referred to as state/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and aid organizations and finds wide application areas. In Turkey, all fields other than the public and private sectors are mostly called "non-governmental organizations". Foundations and associations are the most common.

According to the Turkish Language Institution, it is defined as “any kind of union, non-governmental organization that independently handles various problems in the society, informs and enlightens the public, and offers suggestions”.

The First Establishment Purpose of Citizens' Associations:

Citizens' associations are the efforts of the country to exist and to seek trust in the urban environment. The urban environment of the metropolitan or other countries has pushed the weak and unprotected compatriots together. The compatriots, who felt foreign and powerless, felt the need to come together. Thus, “It is possible to see those who have a voice in bureaucracy and politics thanks to the association, as well as those who can provide themselves with jobs and scholarships for their children through the association” (Aktürk 2017).

First Establishment of Citizens' Associations:

In our country, there are foundations with a long history and associations that came to life in the 20th century. Among these, fellow citizens' associations are relatively new. Since "Turkey's first Citizens' Association established in 1947", Bayburt Culture and Aid Association (Bayburt Gündem 21 January 2019), citizens' associations have been established at an increasing rate. However, its increasing visibility and importance is after 1980 (Aktaş, 2012:101). Recently, the most dominant nationalism seems to be compatriotism (Kayar 2004).

Associations in Civil Society:

Five years ago, “The number of active associations in Turkey was 111 thousand 850, while the number of dissolved associations was 174 thousand 230... That is; More than half of the 286 thousand 80 associations that were established could not stand and had to lock their doors” (Aktürk 2017). Looking at the figures as of today, while the Number of Active Associations was 121 thousand 963, the Number of Terminated Associations was 199 thousand 895, and the Total Number of Associations was 321 thousand 858. While there has been a net increase of 10 thousand active associations in the last five years, the number of closed associations has reached more than 25 thousand. Almost 63 percent of all established associations are dead associations. He is not alive. Most of the living associations, with a rate of 37 percent, are accused of either being sign associations or not being active despite giving pompous balls and dinners in five-seven-star hotels.

Associations Established by Regions and Citizens' Associations by Regions

In the distribution of 121,963 associations in our country by region, the Marmara Region surrounding Istanbul is by far the leader: 35,27%. Other regions are as follows, respectively: Central Anatolia 18.30% Aegean 13.04% Black Sea 11.70% Mediterranean 9.69% Southeastern Anatolia 6.49% Eastern Anatolia 5.51% (DERBIS 2022).

Citizens' associations are also increasing rapidly in Turkey. The number of fellow citizens' associations, which was 416 in 1989, rose to 2,228 in 2001 and to 3,325 at the beginning of 2004 (Kayar 2004). According to DERBİS records (2022), there are 16,665 fellow citizens' associations: Marmara 9.045- 54.28%, Central Anatolia 3.600 21.60% Black Sea 1.378- 8.27% Aegean 1.189- 7.13% Mediterranean 847-5.08% Southeast Anatolia 307-1,84% East Anatolia 299-1,79%. The capital of Turkey's fellow citizens' association is Istanbul. It is said that only Kastamonians have around 500 compatriot associations here. With the Western Black Sea Region associations, it can be said that this number is around 1,500.

It is estimated that there may be around 3,000 compatriot associations of Western Black Sea origin in Turkey. This is not an insignificant number.

2. THE EVOLUTION OF HIGHLIGHTED ASSOCIATIONS AND THE REASONS FOR SKINTING

Evolution of Citizens' Associations:

Citizens' associations, which were established rapidly, especially in Istanbul, were established primarily as village associations and did a great job: they gave confidence to their fellow countrymen by saying that they are not alone. It erased loneliness and fear of extinction. Later, he instilled a love of homeland with an idyllic love.

In the second phase, town and city associations were established. Especially with the establishment of city associations, besides the duties of village associations, the statement "we are here" was made. “We exist too” in economy, society and politics. However, although sufficient crowds gathered, the desired result was not achieved.

Village associations merged, districts and districts merged, and provincial federations were formed. Some progress has been made, but the searches based on many factors have not ended.

A superstructure was created: Confederations.

“It has become possible for those who are more active in the management of the association to become a member of the municipal council, mayor or even a deputy” (Aktürk 2017).

To tell the truth, provincial associations, federations and confederations in the metropolitan cities of the Western Black Sea region such as Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa and Kocaeli such as Sinop, Kastamonu, Çankırı, Çorum, Bartın, Zonguldak, Karabük, Bolu and Düzce. 

Sometimes one or both of them became popular. One of them was seen as the backyard of party A according to the other, and the backyard of party B according to the other, and rivalries, if not enmity, occurred. The strong dragged the weak into an unfair competition environment.

On the other hand, just like in politics, the Trabzon-Rize line (TR) had the strongest NGOs in Istanbul. The tribal-centered natural NGOs of the Sivas-Erzincan Line and Southeastern Anatolia also managed to maintain their power in the world of economy, art and politics.

CONCLUSION?...

As a result, the people of the Western Black Sea Region are not satisfied with the point reached. The managements of NGOs also agree with this criticism under the critical environment they are in.

Problems of Citizens' Associations in 2022:

Considering the problems of fellow countrymen's associations, it will be seen that the political and administrative reflections of Turkey's local and central government problems also exist here. In addition to transparency, accountability and the rule of law, there are also problems with public participation in decision-making processes. As can be seen, the good governance approach that blends authority with responsibility cannot find enough space in non-governmental organizations, which should be the most democratic organizations. However, this model aims at minimizing the manager-managed distinction and thus increasing efficiency and effectiveness by including the public and relevant actors in the stages of policy determination, production and presentation, as well as evaluation and control processes in order to do the right job right (Ateş, 2021). However, I will talk about recent problems in practice rather than general criticisms like these. In the last week, I will share with you different criticisms from three or four different people from NGOs:

-- An Artist's Resignation Letter:

One of the popular artists of the Western Black Sea Region, "willingly and with great enthusiasm, with the offer made to him", "to protect the interests of all compatriots living in Istanbul, to ensure their integration without saying far and near, to contribute to many social responsibility projects and to serve these purposes, especially with the identity of an artist. He requested his resignation from the association he joined with "honor and pride" and from the board of directors within one year. The claimant, who reveals the purpose-process-result conflicts with the sensitivity of an artist, also states his important determinations and analyzes in his petition: "Because of the disorderly structure of the association", "because he thinks that it no longer serves its purpose of establishment", "even though he is a full member of the board of directors, he is a member of some organizations that he is actually a member of. Even though there are only a few days left for the organization without an exchange of ideas, his party and his team were eliminated from the organization", "the fact that this situation was made a fait accompli" and "the ignorance of the financial and moral difficulties experienced or to be experienced" and "from a very young age, which he is proud to be an individual in this state". He resigned because he thought that he had made all kinds of sacrifices for his country and compatriots since then, and that he thought that no benefit could be provided to his "province, which is a source of pride", and his "countrymen".

Wishing success to the members of the board of directors who continue to work in good faith, the petitioner female artist stated that she is ready to provide any assistance to her friends who work hard for her fellow countrymen and demanded that her resignation be accepted immediately in the second week of February.

In addition to the lack of good governance listed above, criticism of an organization that is far from professional and institutional structure is obvious. The administrative structure gives the impression of autocratic rather than democratic features. There are also critiques of interest relations and narrow-band decision-making, albeit implicitly. The criticism of deviation from the purpose is a criticism from the middle of the book…

-- Reproach of a Female Civil Society Volunteer:

Şerife Bacı, a fellow countryman and female civil society volunteer who found my phone on social media, caught my attention with her interesting criticisms. I won't repeat it because some of it has been said in other examples: "One of our Kastamonu valued died the other day," she took the word. “I wish he had been like Bolu's İzzet Baysalı so that we had known him before he died”. He describes himself a little bit “My parents died when I was very young, my uncle's five siblings couldn't even get married to take care of us. Who gives a girl to a man who has five children?” She sighed, as if she didn't want to let out how much she needed equal opportunities throughout her life, from her childhood to the present, and imprisoned the air in her lungs and her sadness in her heart. She continued: “We also worked in handicrafts, as apartment attendants. We couldn't read. But we taught our children… When my children grew up, I became interested in reading. The more I read, the more I learned, and the more I learned, the more my curiosity grew.” It was clear that this Anatolian woman could not tolerate the fact that her province was going backwards and that poverty would follow generations like a legacy: “I said that a solution must be found for this country's problems, this virus of poverty… and I decided. I became a civil society volunteer. I wish I could read. I am sure I will solve many problems".

The activist lady, who thinks that Kastamonians are insensitive to the problems of the province and the region, and that active associations stay away from the public and their problems, continued. “Whatever I do, I do with my own money. But I did not even receive an invitation to an important celebration dinner organized by my association. Even if I bought it, I couldn't give 500 lira for a meal. We are going to a place with a very lofty purpose, people in the association sell badges for 20 TL. Then I ask, what happens to these coins? Dozens of buses go to thousands of women's events for 2 days, selling such things discourages women and discourages them”. She expresses in her own words that there is a clear economic class difference, which eliminates the fusion provided by the consciousness of citizenship.

Almost 20 years ago (RIDEVA-Rize Associations and Foundations Union President Hasan Ekşi) states that they have already abandoned a mistake made in some of Kastamonu associations: “We used to organize luxurious nights, now we bring local features to the fore” (Kayar 2004).

-- A Vice-President's Guidance Through His Experiences:

A vice-president, who has a good grasp of the geographical topography of the region, criticizes the Western Black Sea civil society based on a program he attended: “I did not go there on my own behalf, I received an invitation with my corporate identity and went on insistence. I took 13 of my businessman friends with me. They even announced associations that have never been heard of, but they did not announce me or my association. They ignored me and my association. They didn't want to give credit. If associations that are so old are afraid of such a structure, we are on the right track. However, I am a very close colleague. I am said. He should not have done this in the program of the association he was president of. I am sure that tomorrow he will need both me and our association”.

Saying that those who can't say let the growing arm be ours, they try to reduce their vision and size by saying that they are small but mine, also insists that such behaviors pave the way for other regions to get tens of times what they deserve by inciting strife and enmity among fellow citizens' associations: “Developing civil and polite relations Preferring oppressive and selfish approaches instead of oppressive and selfish approaches is the biggest obstacle to the development of our country and the well-being of our compatriots”. The vice president said that the non-governmental organizations of the province and even the region should focus on contribution instead of me-you, old-new, large-small association classifications; “if everyone is employed, friendship flourishes, balancing us from the inside without touching the hands of others, making positions against us and others in their favour, effortlessly.”

Finally, our fellow citizens, who say that the efforts of alienation and discrediting help the saying that geography is destiny, also mentions another problem in connection with: “alienation is not experienced only between members of associations and other associations or individuals outside of civil society, but also between those who stay in their ancestral homeland and those who go to the diaspora. Especially between those who want to settle in their homeland and those who stay local.” Emphasizing that small, personal and close interests are preferred over large and social interests in the medium term, our compatriots also have an observation: “Relations of interest can be economic interests as well as political promises. But especially in Istanbul, the promise honey is not even a spoon. Half finger, sketchy. We always step on that banana peel.”

-- Criticisms of a Future Civil Society Activist:

A well-educated civil society volunteer, who has performed important duties in the country and abroad, makes important criticisms for now: “I see that the presidents and someone from the administration are posing with political party leaders. Some of them are arrogant," he says, and asks: "What did they do to be arrogant, did they appoint a minister or a few mayors?" Saying that he is approaching the age of 70 and that his worldly desires have gained a social character rather than a personal one, our experienced compatriots have sharp and important criticisms: “An elite society can be created not with money, but with education. What have you provided for 20-30 years with lavish balls, luxury hotels, expensive meals? Whose problems did you cure? What injustice did you say to stop? What problems of the region did you solve? The deputy of the province says: In the last five years, nothing has been done to the province except a closed gym and 10-15 kilometers of road, what did you say? Our fellow countryman, who says that families can't get along because of the recent pandemic and high cost, gives an example from his closest one:

“If I don't help, my retired sister cannot live on 3,000 TL, my closest son cannot support his family with the money he receives, as his father, I support him. I'm asking, what will our compatriots and citizens who do not have ancestors, fathers or cannot support do? Do you not see these problems, or do you lack the courage, or do you hide your compatriots' problems with the expectation of political gain, or have you completely cut yourself off from the people?"

3. NEW TREND IN IMMIGRANT POPULATED GROUPS - REGIONAL COUNTRY ASSOCIATIONS:

Although İlber Ortaylı mentions some of his shortcomings, he says that the dynamics of politics in Turkey has descended to a regional level. The role of the Northeast and South East regions in this, especially the formation of long-term governments and cabinets by replacing the immigrant actors in the beginning, cannot be denied.

Despite the fact that Sinop, Kastamonu, Çankırı, Bartın, Karabük, Zonguldak, Bolu and Düzce formed silent heroes in Çanakkale and indestructible rules in the War of Independence, they remained seriously behind the Constitution and It causes them to gather around the aim of eliminating regional inequalities mentioned in development plans. In fact, the dominance of other regions in the political and economic fields plays a driving role in the formation of the Western Black Sea identity. The tremendous struggle of the region against external enemies on the way to the state of the Republic of Turkey and its backwardness despite its martyrs also constitute the center of attraction for the people of the region in the formation of this identity.

Undoubtedly, it is clear that the region, which is a wonder of nature, needs to be kept alive, to provide equal opportunity to all of our glorious and heroic people, and thus to live in prosperity and peace in our region and our country. Thus, it will be ensured that regional development plays an important role in closing the fiscal deficit of our state, the performance gap in organizations and the gap of trust with the public. On the other hand, citizen associations, which are stuck in the borders of villages and provinces, will be able to become actors with legal personality at the national level, which will ensure their efficiency by breathing through activities across the region.

Western Black Sea has gained a climate in favor of the region with global warming. The Mediterranean climate is shifting to the Aegean, and the Aegean climate is shifting to the Western Black Sea. By experiencing the four seasons. As it is known, the Western Black Sea Contingency Plan was included in the Kızılcasu Nevruz Declaration. Accordingly, in order to provide equality of opportunity to the Region, it was demanded that "ministers from the region be in the cabinet", "the entire region should be declared a tourism region" and a "Western Black Sea Development Plan" should be made. (Fire, 2021).

Citizens' associations must be realistic. It is a necessity of mind to cooperate with the Western Black Sea Region. It is too valuable to be sacrificed for its exquisite displays.

Think about it…. Citizens of Sinop, Kastamonu, Çankırı, Bartın, Karabük, Zonguldak, Bolu and Düzce came together. They set out from the example of Istanbul: “Eight candidates from the Western Black Sea Region were elected in the local elections of March 31, 2024 in 8 districts of the world capital, and these candidates were supported regardless of their party, and eight mayors from the Western Black Sea Region were elected from each of these provinces. In the March 31, 2029 elections, won't the Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor come out of the Western Black Sea Region? Imagine that in the 2033 elections, our compatriots from the West Black Sea Region, who currently do not have a single minister in the cabinet, elected a President (Prime Minister-President) for the first time in Turkey and in the world…. WHY NOT?

References:

Aktas E (2012). The Role of Citizens' Associations in Turkey in Rural Structure. Ankara: Mulkiye Magazine, 36(3), 101-132.

Aktürk M (19 December 2017). Citizens' Associations, Istanbul Times News Center

Istanbul Times News Center Newshttps://www.istanbultimes.com.tr/hemsehri-dernekler-makale,1173.html

Fire S (2021). a) https://strasam.org/stratejisiyaset/siyaset-bilimi/islamic-governance-islami-yonetisim-hak-ve-hurriyet-hareketi-173 b) https://strasam.org/ekonomi/kalkinma-iktisadi/bati -equal-opportunity-demand of black sea people-286
Bayburt Agenda (21 January 2019). http://www.bayburtgundem.com/dernekler/turkiyenin-ilk-hemseri-derneginin-yeni-genel-baskanligina-hicabi-h6829.html

Flower M. F. (2009). The Effect of Citizens' Associations on Socio-Cultural Adaptation. Adana: xxii-189.

Derby (2022). https://www.siviltoplum.gov.tr/hemsehri-derneklerin-bolgelere-gore-dagilimi  (19 February 2022).

Sliding A (28 February 2004). Citizenism of the Most Dominant Nationalism.

https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/kelebek/en-baskin-milliyetcilik-hemsericilik-205911

THE eleventh DEVELOPMENT PLAN (2018). Non-Governmental Organizations in the Development Process Specialization Commission Report, Publication No: KB: 3020 - ÖİK: 801. Ankara: Ministry of Development.