The Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) is an independent non-governmental think-tank, analyzing social, political and economic policy issues facing Turkey. Based in Istanbul, TESEV was founded in 1994 to serve as a bridge between academic research and policy-making process in Turkey. By opening new channels for policy-oriented dialogue and research, TESEV aims to promote the role of civil society in the democratic process and seeks to share its research findings with the widest possible audience. In order to do so, TESEV organizes regular seminars and conferences, bringing together specialists and policymakers from Turkey and abroad to discuss issues of current concern. It releases project reports, books, pamphlets, policy watch briefings and seminar proceedings aimed at general readership.

TESEV focuses on the most urgent and important policy questions facing Turkey and its neighbourhood in the new century. Program areas are grouped under three headings: “Democratization of Turkey”, “Foreign Policy and International Relations”, and “Good Governance”. Some of the most remarkable of TESEV’s work have been on the issues of Islam and democracy, combating corruption, state reform, and transparency and accountability. Among the ongoing project areas are security sector reform, minorities and citizenship rights, transparency and strengthening civil society as well as Cyprus, Middle East and North Africa, and Turkey and European Union relations.

For more information please visit TESEV web site.

The Centre for European Reform is a think-tank devoted to reforming the European Union. It is a forum for people with ideas to discuss the many social, political and economic challenges facing Europe. It seeks to work with similar bodies in other European countries, in North America and elsewhere in the world.

The Centre for European Reform is pro-European but not uncritical. It regards European integration as largely beneficial but recognises that in many respects the Union does not work well. The CER therefore aims to promote new ideas and policies for reforming the European Union.

The Centre for European Reform makes a point of bringing together people from the worlds of politics and business. Most of our meetings and seminars are by invitation only, to ensure a high level of debate. The conclusions of our research and seminars are reflected in our publications, as well as in the private papers and briefings that senior officials, ministers and commissioners ask us to provide. The CER's work is funded by donations from the private sector. It has never received money from governments or EU institutions.

As an independent organisation, the CER has published work by people from parties across the political spectrum.

For more information please visit Centre for European Reform web site.

The British Council is the United Kingdom's main agency for creating stronger cultural relations with other countries. We have been working in Turkey continuously since 1940, have centres in Ankara, İstanbul and İzmir and are also active throughout the rest of Turkey.

In Turkey we employ 70 people, the vast majority of them Turks and we are the United Kingdom’s one of the largest grant-funded British Council operation in Europe.

We believe in building sustainable relationships between people and institutions in Britain and Turkey because these benefit both countries. Our work covers a vast range of areas from English language and education to science and the arts, and from work with civil society to government reform.

Two major themes underlie most of our work – demonstrating the UK’s support for Turkey’s accession to the EU in practical ways and in empowering young people in Turkey and the UK through the relationships that we encourage and support.