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Non-governmental Organizations |
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| The numbers of non-governmental organizations in Turkey such as foundations, associations and civic initiatives which aim to undertake social responsibilities on a voluntary basis have been increasing every day. A considerable majority of these organizations maintains relations with their international and foreign counterparts. |
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 Foundations: The earliest document pertaining to the establishment of a foundation in Anatolia dates back to 1048. During the Ottoman era, Turkish-Islamic foundations, numbering almost 100,000, reached their zenith in terms of artistry, made great contributions to the social, economic and cultural life of the society and introduced solutions to social problems which were not taken up by the state. |
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| During the Republican era, all the activities of the foundations were turned over to the Directorate General of Foundations (DGF) which was established in 1924 and attached to the Prime Minister’s Office. Radical administrative changes have been made in foundations in line with the Foundations Law which came into effect in 1935, the Organizational Law for the Directorate General of Foundations adopted in 1956, and the Statutory Decree No. 227, which came into effect in 1984. The DGF owns more than 18,500 officially registered monumental foundation works and over 75,000 foundation properties at present. |
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Contemporary Education Foundation (ÇEV) |
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The principal task of the DGF is to make sure that all foundations function in line with their goals, to maintain the foundation spirit which is actually a notion of solidarity and to teach this spirit to the new generations. To this end, the DGF spends a substantial portion of its real estate revenues for charitable purposes. |
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| There are 41,550 registered foundations remaining from the Ottoman period which are currently administered and represented by the DGF; 300 subsidiary foundations also established during the Ottoman era which are attached to the DGF but administered by their own boards; 161 community foundations established by non-Muslim citizens such as Greeks, Armenians and Jews; and 4,468 new foundations set up during the Republican period and still functioning at present. |
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| A considerable number of foundations are engaged in the fields of education, culture, arts, sports, health, social welfare, science, technology, research, and environment. Some of the new foundations carrying out efficient activities at present are as follows: The Contemporary Education Foundation, Turkish Democracy Foundation, The Foundation for the Struggle against Erosion, Afforestation and Protection of Natural Assets of Turkey (TEMA), Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV), Foundation for Strengthening the Turkish Armed Forces, the Mehmetçik Foundation, Dr. Nejat F. Eczacıbaşı Foundation, The Foundation for Economic Development, Rahmi M. Koç Museology and Culture Foundation, Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation, Uğur Mumcu Research Journalism Foundation, Sevda Cenap And Music Foundation, Education Volunteers Foundation of Turkey (TEGV), National Education Foundation, Aydın Doğan Foundation, Turkish Educational Foundation, Hacı Ömer Sabancı Foundation, Turkish Aid Foundation for the Weak and the Destitute, Kartal Foundation, Health and Education Foundation for Children Afflicted with Leukaemia (LÖSEV). |
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| Associations: Under the Constitution, every citizen is free to establish an association without any prior authorization. Associations were established during the early years of the Republic particularly with the leadership and encouragement of the state. The following years began to witness a significant rise in the number of associations |
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