CES receives gift to establish the Özyeğin Forum on Modern Turkey

Harvard University’s Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies (CES) today announced a gift by the family of Hüsnü Özyeğin, a leading Turkish entrepreneur, highly esteemed philanthropist, and HBS graduate (M.B.A. 1969), to establish the Özyeğin Forum on Modern Turkey. The Özyeğin Forum will provide CES new opportunities to incorporate the study of Turkey and its relationship with Europe in its diverse programmatic activities. The new program will include lectures, conferences, and cultural events.

“This is a visionary gift, and we are honored to receive it from the Özyeğin family, whose commitment to advancing education is exemplary,” said Professor Grzegorz Ekiert, director of the Center for European Studies. “The establishment of this new program at CES is an important signal that understanding Turkey is fundamental to the study of contemporary Europe.”

The forum has two components: the Hüsnü Özyeğin Annual Lecture, a high-profile public event and the Özyeğin Speaker Series, which will support inclusion of themes related to Turkey and Europe in seminars and workshops at CES throughout the academic year. The Özyeğin Speaker Series will commence on April 27 at CES with a talk by MIT Professor Daron Acemoğlu titled “Turkey: Growing Pains Under History’s Long Shadow.” Özyeğin, founder of Fiba Holding, will offer introductory remarks. The first Hüsnü Özyeğin Annual Lecture will be delivered in the fall by Nobel Laureate and former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari.

To attend the inaugural event, complete the RSVP request form by April 17.  For more information, see the event details.