AK Party Women's Branch: Women Will Build 'Century of Türkiye'

The closing program of the "Women's Leadership Academy Debate Club," organized by the AK Party Headquarters Women's Branch Presidency, was held at the Ulucanlar Prison Museum. AK Party Headquarters Women's Branch President Tuğba Işık Ercan and AK Party Deputy Chairman Mustafa Şen attended the program.

Speaking at the program, Tuğba Işık Ercan said, "We have women who think, research, develop themselves, have ideas, and have aspirations. Our duty is to connect this potential with the right fields, support it with the right opportunities, and transform it into a strong vision for the future."

The program, where instructor Fatih Uyar provided information on the fundamental principles of debate, also featured a film screening.

In her speech, Ercan noted that they see politics not just during election periods, but as a platform for thinking, generating discourse, understanding problems, developing solutions, and taking responsibility for the nation. Emphasizing that debate is not merely about speaking, Ercan stated that it teaches thinking, listening, encountering different views in a civilized manner, and addressing issues with knowledge, reasoning, and self-confidence.

Ercan stated that today, those who can think, analyze, and make in-depth decisions stand out. "In politics, diplomacy, academia, and civil society, the greatest need now is for human resources who can express themselves clearly, firmly, and genuinely. From this perspective, the Debate Club, implemented within the Leadership Academy, is a very valuable and visionary step," she said.

Within the scope of the program, which started last October, a comprehensive 16-week training was conducted in Istanbul. Subsequently, the same curriculum continued in Ankara and Bursa with 12-week intensive programs.

Ercan noted that these trainings covered important topics within a broad framework, from the basic structure of debate to critical thinking, from argumentation to law, from economics to media, from family to ideologies, and from state-individual relations to globalization. She said, "We must train personnel who can interpret issues not in a single dimension, but in multiple dimensions."

Ercan stated that the program was not limited to theoretical training, and participants experienced the process through debate matches, impromptu speaking practices, crisis management applications, and simulations. She added that their intellectual depth was supported by reading lists, film and series analyses, and writing and thinking assignments.

Ercan reported that approximately 600 people from Istanbul, Ankara, and Bursa were interviewed, and at the end of the intensive training period, those eligible to receive certificates in the categories of achievement, appreciation, and participation were determined.

Ercan commented, "This picture shows us the following: We have young women. We have women with a voice. We have women who think, research, develop themselves, have ideas, and have aspirations. Our duty is to connect this potential with the right fields, support it with the right opportunities, and transform it into a strong vision for the future."

She emphasized the great importance of raising women who know what they are saying and can base their arguments on solid foundations, especially in an era where access to information has become easier but reaching the truth has become more difficult.

Ercan stated that their expectation from the participants was for them to carry the knowledge gained during the training process into all areas of their lives; she asked them to read, write, think, ask questions, generate ideas, and develop a language centered on truth, justice, and human dignity. Ercan underlined that they see debate culture not just as competition, but as the development of intellectual maturity, power of expression, and democratic self-confidence.

Ercan said, "The 'Century of Türkiye' goal will not be established solely through economic, technological, or diplomatic achievements," and continued:

"What will build the 'Century of Türkiye' is human resources that think and develop. It is a strong youth, self-confident women, and generations who can express their ideas with civic courage. As the AK Party Women's Branch, we emphasize not only women's participation in politics but also their more effective, better prepared, and better equipped involvement in decision-making processes. Because we know that strong representation requires strong preparation. And strong preparation is possible through education, discipline, and continuous development. In this regard, for us, the Debate Club is not just a training program, but also a strategic investment in the women leaders of the future. I believe that every sister trained here will make a difference wherever they are, add value to their surroundings, and be an example with their words, stance, and knowledge."

Ercan thanked those who contributed to the implementation of the program and congratulated all participants who qualified for certificates. Following her speech, the program continued with debate matches.

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