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Event Series

Özyeğin Forum on Modern Turkey


The Özyeğin Forum on Modern Turkey was established in 2015 at the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies through a gift by the family of Hüsnü Özyeğin, a leading Turkish entrepreneur and philanthropist. The Özyeğin Forum provides a platform for the study of Turkey and its relationship with Europe. It consists of two components:

  • the Hüsnü Özyeğin Annual Lecture, a high-profile public event.
  • the Özyeğin Speaker Series, which supports the inclusion of themes related to Turkey in seminars and workshops at CES throughout the academic year.

To learn more about the Forum's establishment, refer to the press release.

About Hüsnü Özyeğin

Hüsnü Özyeğin (MBA 1969), Founder and Chairman of Fiba Holding & Chairman of Özyeğin University

The gift to establish the Forum was provided by members of the Özyeğin family to honor Hüsnü Özyeğin, a prominent alumnus of Harvard Business School (MBA 1969) and recipient of its 2011 “Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award.” Özyeğin is Founder and Chairman of Fiba Holding and Chairman of Özyeğin University. He has been a generous supporter of Harvard University for over 20 years. He has received international acclaim for his charitable endeavors that support Turkey’s social and economic advancement, primarily in the fields of education, rural development, health and culture.


Photo Gallery


Forum Events Calendar

Making Germans out of Turks and Arabs? Holocaust Memory and Inclusion/Exclusion of Immigrants Özyeğin Forum on Modern Turkey — Making Germans out of Turks and Arabs? Holocaust Memory and Inclusion/Exclusion of Immigrants
September 24, 2018
4:30pm - 6:00pm
  • Esra Ozyurek – Associate Professor in Contemporary Turkish Studies, European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science
  • Chair Colin Brown – Assistant Teaching Professor of Political Science, Northeastern University; Local Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Contested Cities: Inclusion of Muslim Piety to Secular Places Seminar on Social Exclusion and Inclusion — Contested Cities: Inclusion of Muslim Piety to Secular Places
October 28, 2016
2:15pm - 4:00pm
  • Berna Turam – Professor of Sociology and International Affairs, Northeastern University; Local Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Sibel Bozdoğan – Lecturer in Urban Planning and Design, Harvard Graduate School of Design; Professor of Architecture, Kadir Has University
Why Turkey Matters for Europe: Dinner Discussion with Sir Peter Westmacott Özyeğin Forum on Modern Turkey — Why Turkey Matters for Europe: Dinner Discussion with Sir Peter Westmacott
April 20, 2016
5:30pm - 7:30pm
  • Sir Peter Westmacott – Former British Ambassador to Turkey (2002-2006); Former British Ambassador to France (2007-2012); Former British Ambassador to the United States (2012-2016); Senior Fellow, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
  • Welcome Remarks by Hüsnü M. Özyeğin – Founder and Chairman, Fiba Holding; Chairman, Özyeğin University
  • Chair Grzegorz Ekiert – Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Government, Harvard University; Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
The Fateful Marriage: Patriarchy, Governance and Violence in Turkey Özyeğin Forum on Modern Turkey — The Fateful Marriage: Patriarchy, Governance and Violence in Turkey
April 13, 2016
4:15pm - 6:00pm
  • Deniz Kandiyoti – Emeritus Professor in Development Studies, SOAS, University of London
  • Chair Kristin Fabbe – Jakurski Family Associate Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School; Faculty Associate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
The Current State of Turkey-EU Relations: Luncheon Discussion with H.E. Volkan Bozkir, Minister for EU Affairs of Turkey Özyeğin Forum on Modern Turkey — The Current State of Turkey-EU Relations: Luncheon Discussion with H.E. Volkan Bozkir, Minister for EU Affairs of Turkey
March 2, 2016
11:45am - 1:30pm
  • H.E. Volkan Bozkir – Minister for European Union Affairs of Turkey
  • Chair Grzegorz Ekiert – Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Government, Harvard University; Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Turkey and the European Union at a Crossroad The Inaugural Hüsnü Özyeğin Annual Lecture on Modern Turkey — Turkey and the European Union at a Crossroad
October 1, 2015
4:15pm - 6:00pm
  • Martti Ahtisaari – Chairman, Independent Commission on Turkey; Founder & Chairman of the Board, Crisis Management Initiative; President, Republic of Finland (1994-2000); Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, (2008)
  • Melani Cammett – Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Department of Government, Harvard University; Professor, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Faculty Affiliate, Middle East Initiative, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
  • Cemal Kafadar – Vehbi Koç Professor of Turkish Studies, Harvard University; Faculty Associate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Kemal Kirişci – TÜSİAD Senior Fellow and Director, Turkey Project, Center on the United States and Europe, The Brookings Institution
  • Elaine Papoulias – Executive Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Berna Turam – Professor of Sociology and International Affairs, Northeastern University; Local Affiliate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Introduction by Ayla Göksel – CEO, Özyeğin Social Investments
  • Moderated by Grzegorz Ekiert – Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Government, Harvard University; Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
Turkey: Growing Pains Under the Long Shadow of History Inauguration of the Özyeğin Forum on Modern Turkey — Turkey: Growing Pains Under the Long Shadow of History
April 27, 2015
4:15pm - 7:00pm
  • Daron Acemoglu – Institute Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Faculty Associate, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Chair Grzegorz Ekiert – Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Government, Harvard University; Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University
  • Introduction by Ayla Göksel – CEO, Özyeğin Social Investments
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