Organised by the Directorate of Communications in Ankara, the panel titled "The Century of the Turkic World: Family, Society and the Future" was held in Ankara as part of the “Turkic World Dialogue Forum."
The panel, moderated by the Rector of Ardahan University, Prof. Öztürk Emiroğlu, was held in Ankara and featured the Faculty Member at the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan, Assoc. Prof. Nigora Tadjibayeva; the Member of Parliament of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the Kyrgyz Republic and Member of the TURKPA Commission on Environment, Natural Resources and Health, Aygül Ahmedova; the Member of Parliament for İskele of the National Unity Party (UBP) of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Yasemi Öztürk; and the Faculty Member at L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Assoc. Prof. Talgat Moldabay.
Assoc. Prof. Nigora Tadjibayeva stated that a state’s strength could not be measured solely by its economic capacity but was also reflected in the strength of its family institution.
Noting that the family was regarded as the cornerstone of society in her country, Tadjibayeva emphasised that the concept of family also represented a way of life.
Tadjibayeva explained that the mahalla institution served as a bridge between the family and the state, noting that this was where social solidarity took root.
Drawing attention to the importance of continuity between generations, Tadjibayeva stated that “these values are the most important elements binding societies together” and noted that young people and education were a society’s most valuable capital.
"Younger generations need to embrace their history with respect while using technology"
Highlighting the family’s role as the main pillar of society, Ahmedova stated that a child receives their first education within the family.
Ahmedova noted that technological developments were creating new opportunities for younger generations while also affecting the family and stressed that parliaments had a responsibility in this regard, drawing attention to the importance of introducing the necessary regulations governing digital platforms.
Emphasising that younger generations should embrace their own culture and history while using technology, Ahmedova noted that joint projects were being implemented across the Turkic world to enable young people to benefit from digital technologies.
Ahmedova highlighted the importance of raising children across the Turkic world and leaving a clean world for future generations, underlining the need for cooperation in this regard.
“This is a time when we need to stand united"
Öztürk emphasised the importance of strengthening the family as an institution that shapes the future of societies, stating that “the family is not merely a legacy inherited from the past.”
Öztürk stated that strengthening the family was not merely about safeguarding the future, but also about understanding the needs of a changing world and preparing families to meet these evolving conditions.
Highlighting the need to protect children from digital risks, Öztürk emphasised that parents should be made aware of these risks and children encouraged to use digital technologies responsibly.
Öztürk noted that values should be transmitted not merely through words, but also by putting them into practice.
Affirming that the exchange of experiences among countries of the Turkic world, united by a common cultural heritage, would greatly contribute to their shared future, Öztürk described the Turkic world as one large family, pointed to developments in the Middle East and emphasised the need for unity.
Describing the family as a social institution that shapes the worldview of every society, Moldabay noted that it also plays a vital role in ensuring the continuity of the social structure.