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Canadian
Peaceful Way of Life
by Mehmet Ali SULUTAS*
Canada is a transcontinental nation whose
interests and representatives span the
face of the globe and extend into every
sphere of human endeavor. But this was
not always so. When the four colonies
of British North America united to create
Canada on July 1, 1867, the new country's future was by no means
secure. Canada was a small country, with
unsettled borders, vast empty spaces,
and a large powerful neighbor, the United
States.
Confronting these challenges was difficult
for the young country. Though Canada was
independent in domestic matters, Britain
retained control over its foreign policy.
Over the past fifty or so years, Canada's
leaders and its people quietly but steadily
took control of their foreign policy and
their destiny.
Canada is the second largest country in
the world, after the Republic of Russia.
Its population is just over 32 million.
The unemployment figures dropped from
15% (1993-2001) to 7% as of July, 2005.
Inflation rate is steady at 2% and 1 $CAN
buys 0.8305 US$.
There is a partnership
between the Canadian government and the
Council for the Advancement of Native
Development Officers, the Native Women’s
Association of Canada, the Métis
National Council, the Congress of Aboriginal
Peoples, the assembly of First Nations,
and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami in order
to exercise the Aboriginal Rights in peace.
This partnership is
creating hope for the future. Canada is
a bilingual (English and French) country.
The provinces have their own language
policies. Some of the 10 provinces and
three territories are either bilingual
or unilingual. The First Nations, Michif, and Inuktitut languages are also used among the natives.
Naturally, the other cultural community
units of the Canadian society are allowed
to use their own mother tongues at home…
Canada is also known
for its rich multicultural program and
arts activities. Government or non-government
organizations are testaments to the strength
and commitment of Canadian residents in
their struggle to renew and build a healthy
and peaceful community for people with
low incomes and many different life styles
and backgrounds. Since 1957, the Canada
Council has developed an unparalleled
reservoir of knowledge about Canada's
artists and arts.
Certain organizations and institutions
are geared to encourage co-operation between
cultural associations, clubs and their
communities; to foster knowledgeable discussion
of national issues; to celebrate Canada's
bilingual and multicultural character;
to provide opportunities for citizens
from all parts of the country to recognize
the diversity and shared aspects among
themselves; and to develop a deeper appreciation
for Canada, its people, its resources,
its potential, its peaceful life and its
future.
For an extended peace, it is desired to
bring together leaders from various linguistic,
cultural, racial, ethnic, geographic,
and socio-demographic groups and to create
a peaceful atmosphere of trust and respect.
Prime Minister Mr. Paul Martin launched
a review of Canada’s international
policy. He also wanted to recapture Canadians’
international sense of purpose. The North-South
Institute rose to the challenge and came
out with a vision of a world in which
all human beings enjoy basic rights and
freedoms, and opportunities to live fulfilling
lives, a world in which the needs of the
present generation are met without compromising
the needs of future generations.
In this vision, sustainable and equitable
development is the ‘connecting tissue’
between poverty eradication, conflict
prevention, and human security. All were
concerted in a brief released earlier
this year entitled Human Security,
Sustainable and Equitable Development
Foundations for Canada’s International
Policy.
Five years ago the United Nations endorsed
the Millennium Declaration embodying the
Millennium Development goals (MDGs) then
Prime Minister Chretien signed on behalf
of Canada. The MDGs are an ambitious agenda
for reducing poverty and improving lives,
agreed on by world leaders at the ‘Millennium
Summit’ in September 2000. The following
goals were determined most for 2015:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger;
- Achieve universal primary education;
- Promote gender equality and empower women;
- Reduce child mortality;
- Improve maternal health;
- Combat HIV, AIDS, malaria and other diseases;
- Ensure environmental sustainability; and
- Develop a global partnership for development.
On the occasion of the 60th
year of the United Nations, a Millennium
Review Summit meeting of the UN General
assembly has been called for September
14-16 in New York. The agenda for this
meeting is now being shaped and there
are real opportunities for civil society
to encourage in this process.
The agenda of the Civil Society is “From
Evaluation to Action” in their brief
called Mobilizing for Change - Messages
from Civil Society within the framework of We the Peoples
2000,The UN Millennium Declaration and
Beyond.
In Canada NSI is formulizing the ideas
and suggestions of the Canadians. Further,
NSI www.nsi-ins.ca in cooperation with the World Federation of United Nations Associations
www.wfuna.org,
is reporting the highlights of a global
online survey of civil society organizations
in more than 100 countries.
By feeding the hungry instead of feeding
war by global trade in arms, combating
poverty and building human economic and
social security can be achieved. As an
outcome, the global peace can be enjoyed.
It is hoped that both peace and human
development win the summit.
Canada, like USA or Australia, is inviting
or accepting immigrants from any country
or nations, and melting their ethnic differences
in the ‘citizenship’ pot.
The naturalized citizens and their children are valuing
their ‘citizenship’ ties with
Canada, more important than their ‘ethnic’
ties. As a multicultural
country, Canada is providing one of the
most peaceful living in the world. Without
prejudice, here, we shall identify and
elaborate the Turkish communities in Canada
as an example of peace makers.
Turkish communities in Canada do not hesitate
at all in establishing peaceful relations
with the other communities in the country
and abroad. They are the people who are
voluntarily willing to participate in
multicultural events, anywhere in the
country, and any country, for that matter.
With their traditional music, folk dance
or theatre groups they participate and
enrich the national and/or international
cultural activities.
The sensitive and responsible members of
the Turkish communities are sincerely
concerned with the future of Canada that
they are the faithful citizens of that
country. In that respect, they value the
new generations for the future of their
well-beings. In order to achieve this
goal, the children and the young ones
are under special care and education to
build their peaceful and affluent society.
As a matter of fact, the Turkish children
are among the upper echelon, if not the
first of the schooling in terms of learning
speed and ability. The kids perform their
intelligences and skills, especially on
the International Children’s Day
on or around 23rd of April
every year. This Day was proclaimed by
Atatürk, in 1920, after the inauguration
of the National Assembly for the newly
formed Turkish nation, the Republic of
Türkiye that is.
In Türkiye, on 23rd of
April every year, children around the
world are hosted by Turkish counterparts
to participate and perform their national
dances or display their cultural values
in that colorful and memorable world event.
With this world renowned event, the Turkish
nation and the Turkish communities in
Canada are fulfilling their responsibilities
in restoring and augmenting the universal
lasting peace. May we propose the same
festivities be conducted in other countries
as well around the world.
Atatürk, the founder of the new country
of Türkiye, also dedicated the 19th
of May to the youth. Again every year,
the future leaders and administrators
of the nation gather to display their
athletic and youthful abilities on the
open fields. May we again propose one
day a year to get the youth of Canada
and other nations to celebrate their own
day…
The Turks have no drawbacks at all in harmonizing
and reconciling their Turkish and Canadian
identities. They enjoy the Canadian climate,
environment, education, health, social
security, and policies geared to the government’s
multiculturalism by practicing their own
national and religious festivals and bairams,
as well as the Canadian special days.
Bilingual or trilingual radio and television
broadcasting programs and shows are among
their public appearances. Weekly and monthly
trilingual newspapers and e-journals are
their major communication means.
Needles to say, they are naturally after
their rights as anyone else, to keep the
Canadian peaceful way of life by peaceful
actions or declarations through the legal
and peaceful means and manners. They are
also ready for fruitful discussions, not
quarrels, based on mutual respect, without
prejudice approach, away from prejudgment,
under the civilization principles…
Like any other communities forming the
kaleidoscope of the Canadian nation, the
Turks are sensitive for their national
values of origin and religion, in short,
peace of mind. They get organized easily
against any disturbance committed to their
national honor and identity, history,
culture, arts, language, religion, and
alike. The community leaders, in cooperation
with the public, government bodies, institutions
and the press, deliver speeches, announcements
and protests, accordingly. Our desire
and expectation is that the Canadian government
should not commit and/or allow any hateful
movement to ignite the social and cultural
disturbance. Not only Canadians, the whole
world need to keep the peaceful living
environment for lasting well being.
In peace time and in case of facing any
hostility, the Turks display more peaceful
and friendly attitudes by convincing speeches
or with placards depicting such inviting
words as, "COME, LET'S TALK" as their ancestors did. The great world
renowned Turkish mystic poet Mevlânâ
(1207-1273) from Anatolia, had said, "Come,
whoever you are, / come again, as you
are" Another great world renowned Turkish mystic poet Yunus Emre (1238-1320)
again from Anatolia, Türkiye also
had written and said continually, "Yarab
bu ne derttir”, “Wenn ich
beim Freunde bin”,“Tout
est dans l’être humain”,
“Come let’s go to the friend”.
The peaceful Turks even established all
over the world, such peace institutions
and foundations as “Turks for Peace
Foundation” / Toronto, Canada http://www.turksforpeace.org pr@turksforpeace.org and info@turksforpeace.org.
Over worldly peace,
one must first of all memorize, observe,
practice, conduct, moderate and govern
the Universal Principles of Basic Human
Rights and must defend and stand on them. Nowadays,
we all are urgently in need of understanding
and accepting of these vital and universal
principles…
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly
of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the full text of which is to be observed
by all Member countries to publicize it
and "to cause it to be disseminated,
displayed, read and expounded principally
in schools and other educational institutions,
without distinction based on the political
status of countries or territories."
At the very beginning of the Preamble of
the Declaration it emphasizes: "Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable
rights of all members of the human family
is the foundation of freedom, justice
and peace in the world."
As the present President of the Republic
of Turkiye, Mr. Ahmet Necdet Sezer said,
"The barrier of peace is terror."
In order to keep the peace, the international
terrorism should be completely halted.
And this terrorism can only be eliminated
by concerted joint measures.
At the very end of the Declaration, the
last Article 30 wraps up the General Assembly
of the United Nations' intention: "Nothing
in this Declaration may be interpreted
as implying for any State, group or person
any right to engage in any activity or
to perform any act aimed at the destruction
of any of the rights and freedoms set
forth herein".
In view of the foregoing, Canada and Türkiye
are among those countries observing and
practicing the UN orders and international
laws. Naturally, the multicultural Canadian
society is enjoying to the great extent
this peaceful environment.
In this respect, how valuable was the Turkish friendship
for a Greek Prime Minister? Both, the
Armenian Diaspora and Greek governments,
for that matter, they use the "Turkish
factor" for their political benefits
for nearly centuries. The Armenian dilemma
brought in the attention in 1965, first
time, with by backing up Greeks and Greek
Cypriots.
Despite of a long-lasting
war between the two countries, the then
Greek Prime Minister Eleutherious Kryiakos
Venizelos, in a 2-page letter he wrote
in 1934, proposed that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
that year. The Prime Minister expressed
his admiration for this great man, asserting
that he had paved the way for the proclamation
of independence of Türkiye. Do we
know why this friendship can't be established
any more? This only fact that we should
be thinking of these days, nothing else!
As a matter of fact, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was of the view that, "Mankind's
well-being should take the place of hunger
and oppression... Citizens of the world
should be educated in such a way that
they shall no longer feel envy, avarice
and vengefulness."
The great statesman repeatedly emphasized
that sovereignty belongs unconditionally
to the people. It is desirable that the
leaders of the world nations lend an eye
and an ear to this statement of the former
warrior, peacekeeper and statesman, the
founder of the Republic of Türkiye,
Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk:
"Unless the
life of the nation faces peril, war is
a crime. But, a nation, which makes the
final sacrifice for life and freedom,
does not get beaten."
Turks are the proud, peace lover, industrious
and confident friends of all civilized
nations. Further, they deserve and rank
among the most valuable citizens of the
countries that they live in and work.
Let us conclude this peaceful article
with a peaceful verse of Atatürk:
"PEACE AT HOME,
PEACE IN THE WORLD."
* MBA, University of Ottawa, 1980
Researcher, writer, interpreter
Former President of the Turkish Canadian
Cultural Association, Ottawa
Founding Secretary General of the Canadian
Federation of Turkish Associations
Honorary Member of the Turkish Culture
Institute in Tokyo, Japan
Honorary Warden of the Canadians living
in southern Türkiye
(Designated
by the Canadian Embassy in Ankara)
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