Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the İlim Yayma Foundation, said at the Eskişehir Family Summit that the family issue cannot be resolved through economic measures alone. Erdoğan argued that the family institution must be protected, saying that social structures are changing under the influence of economic systems and technology.
The summit was held at the ESOGÜ Congress and Culture Center through cooperation among the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Eskişehir Governorship, Anadolu University, Eskişehir Osmangazi University and the Yunus Emre Association. ESOGÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Emine Gümüşsoy moderated the summit.
Emphasis on family and social structure
Erdoğan said social structures have also changed as the capitalist system has shaped economic structures. Saying that technology makes it easier to influence individuals’ consumption preferences and decisions, Erdoğan stated that the family structure provides a more resilient sphere against individualistic tendencies.
Erdoğan said civil society should take a greater lead in politics in developed societies, adding that the state and politics had taken the lead in society במסגרת the Year of the Family and the Decade of the Family.
Decline in fertility rates
Erdoğan said fertility rates were declining around the world, adding that he believed Türkiye could be among the first countries to reverse this trend. He argued that Türkiye could rise above the level of contemporary civilization through its own identity by bringing its distinctive social dynamics and cultural characteristics to the fore again.
Erdoğan said placing the family back at the center of society could offer an alternative to individualistic thinking. He said a social order that prioritizes people’s spiritual values and sharing could be possible.
Population assessment for 2100
Responding to a question about why the family had become an issue of national survival for Türkiye, Erdoğan said the country could be an aging nation with a population of fewer than 50 million in 2100 under the worst-case scenario.
Erdoğan said Türkiye’s greater influence in the world was linked to its economic strength, adding that remaining indifferent to regional developments and taking the initiative for stability in the region had become necessities. He described demographic decline as a vital issue for Türkiye.
Passing on values within the family
Erdoğan said the success of the Year of the Family and Population Decade in 2035 could be understood when people say they feel more peaceful with their families. Referring to the importance of respecting mothers and fathers, Erdoğan said caring for aging parents should be regarded as an honor.
Erdoğan said passing on values within the family would contribute to raising more virtuous and moral generations, adding that children should also be raised with the same understanding of respect.
Assessment of Gaza and Palestine
Erdoğan said Türkiye was an important source of support for the people of Gaza, adding that Türkiye was leading pro-Palestinian sentiment around the world. He said developments in Gaza were not only a matter concerning Muslims, Arabs or the Middle East, but also the conscience of humanity.
Erdoğan argued that those responsible for the situation in Gaza should be held accountable and called for the issue to remain on the agenda.
Other speeches and events at the summit
Prof. Dr. İrfan Gündüz, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ibn Haldun University, said living in accordance with one’s innate nature meant living in line with human creation. Yunus Emre Association Chairman and AK Party provincial chairman Gürhan Albayrak also said that one of the major causes of social disintegration was the disintegration of the family institution.
Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services Adil Çalışkan, Eskişehir Deputy Governor Yakup Güney and other guests attended the summit. Bilal Erdoğan later attended the Eskişehir gathering of the Türkiye Youth NGOs Platform, held at Anadolu University, and presented awards to those who placed in the knowledge competition.
After the program, Erdoğan met with representatives of civil society organizations operating in the city as part of the Eskişehir Civil Society Gathering held at the ESOGÜ Hotel.
