A major milestone for @ProtoneProject. The research article "The Paradox of Threat: Vernacular Security Governance Among Jewish and Muslim Minorities in Four European States", led by @TahirAbbas_, is now published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.
Drawing on 3,598 survey responses and 55 interviews across Belgium, Germany, Italy & Spain, the study shows that communities facing more hostility build closer ties with local authorities, out of necessity.
Congratulations to Tahir Abbas and co-authors May Tamimova, Irene Trebeschi & Paul Wabnitz, and thanks to Tahir & May for their leadership on the project's research component.
Open access: https://t.co/kJhHOs5kvn
#PROTONE
Women at the Heart of Hizmet | Leadership, Service & Civic Resilience
How can women shape more resilient, inclusive, and dialogue-oriented societies?
On 23 June 2026, the Intercultural Dialogue Platform had the pleasure of welcoming Prof. Sophia Pandya in Brussels for an inspiring roundtable discussion on women's leadership, service, and civic resilience.
The conversation explored the evolving role of women within the Hizmet movement and beyond, addressing themes such as:
Women’s leadership and civic engagement
Service as a catalyst for social cohesion
Building resilient communities through dialogue
Overcoming barriers and empowering future generations
The event brought together participants from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, creating a meaningful space for reflection, exchange, and mutual learning. One of the strongest messages of the day was that strengthening women's participation in civic life is not only a matter of equality but also essential for building more resilient and inclusive societies.
We extend our sincere thanks to Prof. Sophia Pandya for sharing her valuable insights, and to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a thoughtful and engaging discussion.
Read the full event report here:
https://t.co/1vgXa0vgww
#WomenLeadership #CivicResilience #Dialogue #SocialCohesion #Hizmet #InterculturalDialogue #CivilSociety #Inclusion #Leadership
📣An #open#letter signed by 54 parliamentarians, academics, lawyers and human rights advocates has called for an #inclusive#democratic#reform and amnesty process in #Türkiye.
Addressed to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş and Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, the letter welcomes renewed dialogue aimed at ending conflict and resolving long-standing political disputes.
However, it warns that reforms limited to selected groups could deepen divisions and undermine public trust.
The signatories—including 10 Members of the European Parliament and three members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe—call for the protection of all #political #prisoners, an end to the misuse of #counterterrorism laws, and the implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments(#ECtHR).
They also urge Türkiye to restore #judicial #independence, strengthen the separation of powers, guarantee effective legal remedies and establish an open nationwide dialogue involving all affected communities.
❗️The letter says lasting peace requires democracy, equality, accountability and respect for human rights.
@CoE_RuleofLaw@CoEHumanRights@EUDelegationTur
NEW REPORT | On the 10th anniversary of July 15, AfSV releases a comprehensive report:
“July 15: Erdoğan’s False Flag Operation and the Systemic Destruction of Turkish Democracy”
The report examines the unanswered questions surrounding the July 15 operation, the mass purge that followed, and Turkey’s transformation into an authoritarian regime.
Read the full report: https://t.co/T4Cs0IshAJ
#July15 #Turkey #HumanRights #Democracy
📢You’re invited to the panel discussion!
Press Freedom Talks: Exiled Voices in an Age of Transnational Repression
Across Europe, many #journalists continue their work in #exile after fleeing persecution, censorship, war, and threats to their safety. Yet crossing a border does not always end the danger. Exiled journalists often remain exposed to #surveillance, #intimidation, #harassment, and other forms of #transnational #repression.
This discussion will bring together exiled journalists, experts, and press freedom advocates to reflect on the lived realities of journalism in exile, existing protection gaps, and policy recommendations needed to strengthen free media, democracy, and the public’s right to information.
📅 Date: 5 May 2026
🕒 Time: 15:30 CET
📍 Location: Press Club Brussels | Rue Froissart 95, 1040 Brussels
The event will be held in English.
🔗 Registration: https://t.co/likGJghfEt
We look forward to welcoming you to this timely discussion.
What does the future of EU competitiveness look like? 🇪🇺
Yesterday, we got closer to an answer.
We had the opportunity to participate in the COMPASS Online Kick-Off Conference, organised by @StandUp4Europe_ and @ASATT_EU - bringing together 120+ participants from 9 EU countries to explore how young people can actively shape Europe's future across Tech & AI, Trade & Strategic Autonomy, Defence, Healthcare and Sustainability.
EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, underscored the transformative potential of young people:
"I have seen first-hand the incredible power of young people - in politics, in civil society, in business, and in climate action. I have seen their creativity, their commitment to change, and their ability to inspire others".
PANEL |Istanbul Convention
Merve Reyhan Kayıkçı, Researcher at Radbound University :
"What is called ‘provocation’ in court becomes, in practice, a justification for violence against women. The threshold is dangerously low, while the consequences for women are devastatingly high."
The Istanbul Convention is one of the most vital shields against gender-based violence.
At the European Parliament, @assedelorg and @OthersInfo_TR have brought together experts, advocates, and policymakers to confront the growing challenges to women's rights across Europe.
MEP @annastrolenberg highlighted: "What I am particularly worried about is this trend of young men who shift their perspective on women."
24% of Gen Z men believe women should not appear "too independent or self-sufficient"
31–33% of Gen Z men believe a wife should obey her husband
33% believe the husband should have the final word in important family decisions
#IstanbulConvention #WomensRights #GenderEquality
PANEL | European Parliament
15 Years of the Istanbul Convention: Renewing Our Commitment to Women’s Rights
🗓 13 April 2026
🕒 15:30 – 17:00 CET
📍 European Parliament, Brussels
As Europe marks the 15th anniversary of the #IstanbulConvention, this high-level panel will bring together policymakers, experts, and civil society representatives to discuss key challenges affecting #womensrights today. The discussion will address #gender #based #violence and #femicide, implementation gaps, political and institutional barriers, and the consequences of withdrawal or non-ratification by some states, while also exploring concrete policy recommendations to strengthen protection and accountability.
This event is co-organised by Solidarity with OTHERS and ASSEDEL, and hosted by MEP Anna Strolenberg (Greens/EFA) at the European Parliament.
How can the next EU long-term budget better support democracy?
Today, we are participating in the Invest in What Matters event at the European Parliament. On the eve of crucial negotiations on the next EU long-term budget, this event brings together civil society organisations and Members of the European Parliament to exchange views, strengthen cooperation, and push for a budget that truly supports and protects democracy.
As part of the Virtuous project , we had the pleasure of interviewing @MPriv_o, theologian and Islamologist, drawing on his extensive experience in interfaith dialogue and community engagement.
Together, we explored the role of places of worship today, what active participation in a religious community means on a personal level, how safety is perceived within these spaces, and how security can be strengthened without compromising openness and hospitality.
To know more about the Virtuous project, visit: https://t.co/TH0cNxvFck
The Intercultural Iftar Dinner 2026 at the European Parliament was a moment of connection, dialogue, and reflection.
The evening brought together policymakers, civil society leaders, faith representatives, and academics to reflect on:
“Human Rights in Action: Practising Our Shared Values for a Peaceful Tomorrow.”
🎥 Watch the highlights and the aftermovie of the event here: https://t.co/mpWKvB3c99
@Fedactio@OthersInfo@RfPEurope@StiftungDuB@BddiOrg@PlatformINS@Istitutotevere@ArcoForum
📌 The Intercultural Dialogue Platform Annual Activity Report 2025 is out!
Explore our work over the past year, from Projects Implemented and Developed to Events Organised, Publications, and Participation in External Events.
Read the full report: https://t.co/e23gFLfnsU
We are pleased to share the highlights of the Intercultural Iftar Dinner 2026 at the European Parliament.
Bringing together policymakers, civil society leaders, faith representatives and academics, the evening reflected on “Human Rights in Action: Practising Our Shared Values for a Peaceful Tomorrow.”
Hosted by @kvanbrempt, with contributions from @k_langensiepen and @LeolucaOrlando1 .
In collaboration with @Fedactio, @OthersInfo, @RfPEurope, @StiftungDuB, @BddiOrg, @PlatformINS, @Istitutotevere , @ArcoForum and Chapel for Europe.
You can read more about the event: https://t.co/BGn6929XVK
Watch the highlights:
https://t.co/5GrW6OPiLm
#InterculturalDialogue #HumanRights #Solidarity #Ramadan #UnitedinDiversity