The Abant Platform, a prominent discussion forum known for dealing with pressing issues challenging Turkey, is taking up the task of debating the thorny Kurdish issue.

Scheduled to take place today and tomorrow at the Abant Palace hotel in Abant, northwest Turkey, the forum has brought scholars, writers, intellectuals and community leaders to the table for a fair and honest debate on how to deal with the long-standing Kurdish issues. The platform has once again gathered distinct voices from various segments of society to create and facilitate a "common intellect" to brainstorm and offer "civil responses" to social issues.

The platform is supported by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF), a leading civic organization that champions the principles of diversity, multiculturalism and dialogue at home and abroad. It was launched in 1998 with the aim of organizing a platform in which people representing different schools of thoughts can come together and debate the problems of common concern in open discussions. So far the Abant Platform has held 17 workshops to discuss a variety of topics, including secularism, religion, the European Union, the Constitution, education, globalization, social contracts, democracy, modernity, war and peace.

The Abant Platform represents a successful civic community organization that has transformed itself into a well-respected national body enjoying the support of very diverse groups across the political spectrum. The JWF promoted the event based on the ideas of understanding, diversity, democracy and pluralism. Fethullah Gülen, who acts as the honorary president of the JWF, introduced the foundation in 1994. The Abant Platform attracted a wide audience in Europe, the US and the Middle East. Some of its meetings have been held in Washington, D.C., Paris, Cairo and Brussels.

The 17th Abant Platform was originally scheduled to take place in March 2008 in southeastern Diyarbakir province. It was postponed, however, due to security concerns in a region that was plagued by terrorist threats and also partly because of high tension in the political sphere stemming from an unexpected announcement of a closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). The platform was moved to Abant, a remote recreational town in northern Bolu province.

The meeting today will start with an opening speech by Abant Platform President Mete Tunçay and will have five sessions. Organizers say the main theme the discussions will focus on will be the historical background of problems under discussion and the common heritage of those involved. It will also explore different models in a comparative approach and will try to come up with possible solutions in a balanced manner.

Leading scholars and prominent intellectuals are taking part in this year's discussions. Among 150 names that will be present at today's meetings are many columnists from Today's Zaman, including Ali Bulaç, Tahin Alpay, Mümtaz'er Türköne and Hüseyin Gülerce. The meeting will end with a final evaluation session tomorrow. As was the case in previous meetings, a declaration will be issued on the results of the talks and at a later date, the details of the talks and related articles will be published in book from.

The participants of the platform also include former military judge Ümit Kardas, writer Sadik Yalsizuçanlar; Mugla University Professor Nejat Subasi, Gazi University Professor Levent Köker, Kurdish intellectual Ümit Firat, Kurdish writer Altan Tan, former president of HAK-PAR Abdülmelik Firat; Ensar Foundation's Ahmet Sisman, Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) official Ali Fuat Bilkan, Urfa-Helsinki Citizens Foundation's Ali Fuat Bucak, '78s Foundation President Celalettin Can, former National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Deputy Undersecretary Cevat Önes, Koç University Professor Fuat Keyman, Democrat Party (DP) Diyarbakir branch head Galip Ensarioglu, former Motherland Party (ANAP) deputy Hasim Hasimi, Democratic Party (DP) deputy leader Nevval Sevindi, Young Civilians representative Nezir Akyesilmen, and Kurdish politician Sertaç Bucak.

The Abant Platform is a self-governing entity with its own independent executive committee. It holds annual and semi-annual meetings on various topics. The mission statement of the platform mentions "dialogue and reconciliation in light of knowledge and expertise" as the key principle. The platform aims to create a "common intellect" that can define social problems, break them down, brainstorm in a collective manner and propose solutions. The goal is to find a common ground without necessarily giving up personal beliefs and values. (Abdullah Bozkurt, Bolu)

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."