"You are the Change Generation"

GencNet Turkish Youth Conference
Istanbul, Turkey - May 15, 2002

Thank you to the Ari Movement organizers of the GencNet conference, and all of the other sponsors, especially NTV and most especially you the participants. It has been a terrific opportunity for the International Republican Institute to be a part of these events over the past three years. This GencNet program has been such a success, IRI may look to export this model to some of the other 35 countries where we have operations to build democracy.

Let me give you just one metric of you success. The website has averaged 6,000 hits per day over the past year. Turkey has given you a vote of confidence. How do I know this? Because the hits on the website are now averaging 30,000 per day for the last three days!

Let me be proactive by asking you a questions. Where are you? It seems like a simple question. Where are you?

Where are you in your school? Where are you in your community? And where are you in the future life of Turkey?

Indeed, on your way home today, ask yourself, what do I want to be able to do five years from now and what actions do I need to take to get there? And then at the end of every month, revisit those questions to assess your progress.

What lies ahead of you is a great opportunity for positive change. Already you are making positive changes through your projects all across Turkey - from Aura in the East to Istanbul in the West, and from Sinop in the North to Anamur in the South.

This is one of the first times such a systematic national program of civic development has been launched on a sustained basis in Turkey. These practical actions impact you community, your generation and your country. They are proof that you can engage in positive change, which others should not fear.

I know from my study of history that Turkey is a crossroads: geographically, culturally, economically and politically. One does not want to forget the lessons of the past. But Turkey's positive future is not a return to its past; it is the creation of positive competitive future.

I am not talking about change merely for the sake of change. That is thoughtless change. I am instead talking about "thoughtful change."

It is a process where one thinks carefully about where you want to go and why. It is a process to create a future to reach your potential as individuals and as a nation.

Through this thoughtful change, you can help create a Turkey that is truly competitive in the global community and society, and make a positive contribution to the world.

With 65 percent of your population under the age of 35, Turkey is now at a threshold of change with a new generation of leaders.

I believe that you are the change generation! I believe that you are "Degisim Kusagi".

The decisions you are making, the work you're doing here at the conference and beyond, can forever change your country for the better.

What you see around you are people with the same voice and determination you have to get involved. Each one of you is taking the steps to do something about the frustration you've had in making positive changes.

We all have those feelings. At one time or another, we have all said to ourselves, "How do I fit in? Do my voice and my opinion really matter? What can I do to make a difference in the community and my country?"

It's easy to feel that way. It can be pretty overwhelming looking at the world around you realizing that millions of people are going to work everyday, trying to keep the grades up at school, or just trying to do the best a person can do to meet family obligations. It's difficult to see where one fits in or whether it really matters what you say or do in changing any of the obstacles that you face.

But look around you. There are more than 1,000 people here right now who have said the same thing. Here's the difference. You and your countrymen and women are taking action about that.

Here, you have organization. You have common goals and common threads that bind you together. Your voices are being heard because you have spread the word around your communities and schools that this conference is helping you make the changes you want.

And the best part is that these are your ideas. These are your desires. These are your changes you are about to embark on for the rest of the year. What is most impressive is that you are taking ownership of your ideas and your projects. This tells me that you are taking responsibility and acting, not waiting for others to act for you.

If you boil it down to basics, you are developing a new ethic of civic responsibility and action, no longer relying on the state of government to act for you. I believe your civic ethic of action and responsibility can create a new more competitive Turkey, a place where people will love to live!

Over the past few days, each one of you has spent you time working with each other creating a plan that is not limited to one particular community or town or city. Your plans announced a few minutes ago are designed as a nationwide strategy to reinforce your involvement in positive changes.

It's exciting, isn't it? And what's great about this is that you are working together with your friends and neighbors here at this conference in a joint effort for the world around you.

After the conference closes, and after you have returned to your home, your families and your friends, you will be asked by many the same question I have asked.

"Where are you?" Look at them in the eye and say, "I am in Turkey and I am making a difference." "I am Degisim Kusagi!"

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