İşbank Hosts Atatürk Conference on the Republic’s Centennial

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On the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of our Republic, İşbank will host an international conference titled “Rethinking Atatürk's Pioneer Vision Towards The Second Century of Turkish Republic".

International speakers scheduled to participate in the conference include historian and author Yuval Noah Harari,Italian scholar Fabio L. Grassi, who is the author of the book Atatürk, Nobel Prize-winning economist Thomas J. Sargent, Andrew McAfee, Co-Founder of the MIT Digital Economy Initiative, and Irina Bokova, former Director General of UNESCO.

Founded by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the principle that achieving economic independence is essential to complement the political independence attained during the National Struggle, İşbank, the country's first national bank, continues to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Republic through special events.

In March, İşbank unveiled the “Long Live the Republic!" exhibition in its Museums, which elucidates the progress made in the economic and social spheres during the first 15 years of our Republic. The Bank is now set to host an international conference titled “Rethinking Atatürk's Pioneer Vision Towards The Second Century Of Turkish Republic" at a time when the nationwide excitement, enthusiasm, and joy for the Republic's 100^th anniversary are reaching their pinnacle, and the countdown to October 29 has begun.

Notable attendees from both Türkiye and abroad

During the conference scheduled for September 28-29, 2023, at the İş Towers Hall, notable speakers from both Türkiye and abroad will engage in comprehensive discussions. These conversations will encompass a diverse array of subjects, spanning from history and economics to science, culture, and sports, all approached with a perspective that extends from the past into the future.

The proceeds from the event, for which a limited number of tickets will be available, will be donated to the Anıtkabir Association. Tickets will be available for purchase on www.issanat.com.tr starting on Friday, September 8.

During the conference, which will be hosted by İşbank Chairperson Adnan Bali and CEO Hakan Aran, the opening address will be delivered by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. Other speakers include;

• Historian and philosopher Yuval Noah Harari, acclaimed author of globally influential works such as Sapiens, Homo Deus and 21 Lessons for the 21^st Century, 
• New York University Professor of Economics and Nobel Prize-winning economist Thomas J. Sargent,
• Italian academician Fabio L. Grassi, who specializes in Eurasian History, Turkish Language, and History at Sapienza University of Rome and is the author of the book Atatürk,
• Andrew McAfee, Co-Founder of the MIT Digital Economy Initiative,
• Irina Bokova, Former Director-General of UNESCO.
  

At the conference, esteemed figures from Türkiye, including Prof. İlber Ortaylı, Prof. Bilsay Kuruç, Prof. Havva İşkan Işık, Prof. Burcu Özsoy, Assoc. Prof. Doğan Çetinkaya, and Prof. Çiğdem Gündüz Demir, prominent experts in various fields ranging from history to archaeology, from artificial intelligence to science and art, will deliver speeches in their respective areas of expertise, all rooted in the vision of Atatürk.            

İşbank stands as a significant milestone in Atatürk's development goals

In his statement concerning the conference, İşbank Deputy CEO Suat Sözen underscored that one of the clear indications of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's visionary thinking, well ahead of his era, is his approach that ties political independence with economic independence. Sözen pointed out that Atatürk initiated a significant development endeavor while setting the foundation for the Republic, of which we are commemorating the centenary this year, and indicated that İşbank, set to mark its centenary on August 26, 2024, represents one of these crucial milestones.

Sözen remarked that 2023 is a significant and precious year, stating, “We are celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the Republic, a legacy entrusted to us by Atatürk. The İzmir Economy Congress, held in 1923, played a pivotal role in shaping İşbank's founding concept and communicating the necessity for a national bank. Therefore, 2023 marks the centennial celebration of our Bank's inception as a concept... Next year, we will embark on our second century. Reaching the centenary mark is a significant milestone in historical journeys. We strive to depict this era, where we find ourselves amidst multiple centenaries, with the shared sentiments of excitement, happiness, and pride." 

Highlighting that Atatürk, in leading a fresh start, instilled the hope, confidence, and sense of unity that a nation craves most while guiding future generations through his visionary ideas and actions, Sözen emphasized that İşbank, inspired by Atatürk's principles, maintains its commitment to activities in the realms of education, culture and the arts, science, environment, sports, and women's rights, which are indicative of a society's level of development, and are guided by its founder's progressive and forward-thinking approach from the early 20^th century.

Suat Sözen stated, “Through the conference we are hosting in celebration of the Republic's centenary, our aim is to underscore the enduring relevance of Atatürk's visionary perspective and to illuminate the course that Türkiye will chart as it forges ahead into the future, drawing strength from its history. We would consider it a source of great satisfaction if we could not only envision how Atatürk, despite myriad challenges, conceived ideas but also transformed the fate of a nation through their realization, marked by significant sacrifices. Furthermore, we hope to open a promising window into both the present and the future, drawing inspiration from Atatürk's approach."