2025 Review from the Kemalist Enlightenment Association

Speaking on the 2025 review of the Kemalist Enlightenment Association, KAD Spokesperson Buket Müftüoğlu summarized the association's founding principles and its one-year work perspective with these words: “Since our establishment, our primary goal has been to defend the founding philosophy of the Republic, secularism, and democratic gains on a rational, scientific, and determined basis. The events we organized throughout 2025 were high-quality efforts that strengthened this stance and brought citizens together around the same principles.”

FIRST STEP FROM GALLIPOLI: NEW CONSTITUTION PANEL

The association's first large-scale event took place on December 8, 2024, with the “New Constitution” panel held in Gallipoli. Kemalist Enlightenment Association President Kemal Anadol, who delivered the opening speech and moderated the panel, shared the association's founding objectives with the public. Prof. Dr. Nur Serter, Bülent Baratalı, and National Center Secretary General Haluk Dural participated as speakers at the event.

In the panel, where the fundamental principles of the Republic were discussed, attention was drawn to the importance of the founding philosophy of the Republic of Turkey, and the unchangeable articles of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey were emphasized.

The Kemalist Enlightenment Association organized an “Environment and Democracy” panel in the Aliağa district of İzmir on January 19, 2025. In the panel, where environmental activist Ferzan Kayra, Lawyer Dilek Akagün, and Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Karababa spoke alongside Association President Kemal Anadol, the link between environmental rights and democratic governance was addressed.

The view that the country's lands, mines, and natural resources are a trust that must be passed on to future generations, and that protecting this heritage carries a public responsibility, was highlighted during the panel.

“WHERE IS TURKEY HEADING?” EVALUATION IN ESKİŞEHİR

In the “Where is Turkey Heading?” panel held in Eskişehir on April 13, 2025, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen, Prof. Dr. Nur Serter, journalist Nur Batur, and former Minister of Economy and National Center Ankara Representative Ufuk Söylemez made comprehensive assessments regarding Turkey's future. Büyükerşen presented a framework that highlights the Kemalist approach, drawing on Eskişehir's modernization experience.

As part of the program, the hosting by Eskişehir Metropolitan Mayor Ayşe Ünlüce and the visit to the cultural services brought to the city by Yılmaz Büyükerşen strengthened the local government and cultural dimension of the event.

EMPHASIS ON THE REPUBLIC IN THE FIELD

The Kemalist Enlightenment Association organized a special panel for Republic Day on October 29, 2025, in cooperation with the Zonguldak Contemporary Journalists Association. The panel, for which Ali Ayaroğlu gave the opening speech, was moderated by Association President Kemal Anadol.

The fact that Kemalist Enlightenment Association President Kemal Anadol, association spokesperson Buket Müftüoğlu, and former Minister of State Önay Alpago are from Zonguldak gave the program a local significance. Prof. Dr. Nur Serter and TGS President Gökhan Durmuş also took part as speakers in the panel.

Following the Zonguldak program, the association delegation moved to Çaycuma. They visited the Atatürk Sports Facility, where Çaycuma Mayor Bülent Kantarcı received an award in the field of social municipalism, and the Çaycuma Prison Museum, which was converted into a culture and arts center. Afterward, Buket Müftüoğlu delivered the opening speech at the panel where Prof. Dr. Nur Serter and former Minister of State Önay Alpago were speakers; the moderation was undertaken by Kemalist Enlightenment Association President Kemal Anadol.

YEAR-END CLOSING AT ANITKABİR

As its final event of 2025, the Kemalist Enlightenment Association participated in the “National Gathering,” which was held on the anniversary of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s arrival in Ankara and included various non-governmental organizations. This gathering went down in history as a social stance that provided the clearest response to the so-called commission established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

Following this gathering, Kemalist Enlightenment Association Spokesperson Buket Müftüoğlu stated: “In 2026, we will continue to travel across Turkey step by step, shoulder to shoulder with the youth, while upholding Atatürk’s principles and revolutions. Our goal is to carry the founding values of the Republic and the spirit of Kemalist enlightenment to new generations. We will continue to move forward on this path with determination.”

News Source: 12punto