Relocation of IPSA Congress

From: Talip Kucukcan <talipkucukcan@gmail.com>
Date: Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 11:24 AM
To: Sociology of Islam <SOCIOLOGY_OF_ISLAM@listserv.vt.edu>
Cc: Sociology and Global Studies <tugrulk@vt.edu>
Subject: Relocation of IPSA Congress

Dear Friends,

IPSA decided to relocate 2016 Istanbul Congress reportedly on security grounds. I urge you to send and share the following letter with IPSA Chair  in order not to surrender threats to academic community. We need to stand together against violence and terrorism.

(info@ipsa.org)

(Istanbul2016@ipsa.org)

Best

Talip Kucukcan

INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION (IPSA)
1590, av. Docteur-Penfield, bureau 331
Montreal, QC H3G 1C5
Canada

27 February 2016

Dear President Professor Aiji Tanaka,

We have been informed that the 24th World Congress of the International Association of Political Scientists scheduled to take place in Istanbul between 23-28 July 2016 has been cancelled.

As a social scientist and a new politician, I would like to stress that I am saddened and diasppointed by this sudden devcision. As you would agrree, Istanbul is one of the most suitable venues for such a meeting not only since it bridges East and the West but also offers an insight into different civilizations. Moreover, cosmopolitan nature and spirit of this great city would capture the imagination of political scientists in a dynamic country such as Turkey where there is a lively and  dynamic political life.

It has been reported in the media that the Congress was cancelled for security reasons. In fact, Istanbul is one of the safest cities in the world if you compare it with other cities of similar size. Therefore I urge you re-consider your decision and let political scientists to meet and enjoy charms of Istanbul. Such a decision will be also a strong message to those who are prone to use violence that the world political scientists do not have any fear and they firmly stand by values and principles of democracy. I believe that showing such a solidarity against terror and violence is both an academic and moral responsibility that we sholder together.

I look forward to hearing from you to disscuss the issue and to explore how we can facilitate the Congress to be held in Istanbul.

Yours sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Talip Kucukcan

--
Talip Kucukcan (PhD)
Department of Sociology
Marmara University
Istanbul
Turkey