Our Values

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”SOCIAL JUSTICE” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]The pursuit of social justice is one of the goals of the dialog center and one of Mr. Gulen’s foundational teachings. Peace, freedom of expression and religion, tolerance, and equal opportunity, are the values we work to promote through service, education, and dialogue. We believe that these issues touch us all, no matter where we are in the world, and hope to facilitate a dialogue around them in order to better understand the challenges we face in societies today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1844″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”EQUAL OPPORTUNITY” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1848″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”DEMOCRACY” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Democracy allows citizens to participate equally in the process of political self-determination. In its ideal form, democracy allows individuals to flourish in all dimensions of their lives. We embrace democracy and democratic values such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion, rule of law and equal opportunity.

While Gulen’s teachings are not political in nature, he cherishes democracy as a system of governance in which society can flourish and which enables individuals to maximize their potentials. A devotion to one’s faith need not detract from commitment to one’s country, and Gulen encourages people to take active roles in serving their communities. Individuals inspired by Gulen established media outlets, civic organizations, and think tanks with the goal of educating individuals about the value of democracy and engaging in the free flow of ideas.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1864″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”EMPOWERING WOMEN” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1862″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]We embrace equal rights for women and men as expressed in The UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. The Convention defines discrimination against women in the following terms:

“Any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”

It is important that women have a powerful voice in the ongoing dialogue about the future of our communities. That is why we support women’s education throughout the world and condemn their subjugation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”FREEDOM OF SPEECH, PRESS AND RELIGION” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The following statement was prepared by Eesti Foorum Dialoogi Keskus based on a workshop of social scientists and journalists who analyzed the prevalent views among Hizmet participants on these topics based on their observations and available literature.

• Freedom of speech, one of the fundamental rights in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is indispensable.
• Acceptance of freedom of speech within international norms encompasses marginal and radical thoughts that are expressed within those norms.
• Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are core tenets of a working democracy.
  All restrictive practices limiting freedom of the press including political repression, self-censorship, social and employer pressures are contradictory to democracy and cannot be accepted.

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Freedom of Speech and Press in Turkey

• To eliminate restrictions on freedom of expression and the press, as well as the problems faced within this context, it is imperative for Turkey to speed up European Union (EU) accession-related reforms and revise its legal code in accordance with EU standards.
• In response to the incidents where two journalists claimed to have been allegedly detained for having criticized Mr. Fethullah Gulen, the following statement has been made by Mr. Gulen: “As I stated previously, I am in support of a comprehensive application of freedom of expression and the press. This is irrespective of whether thoughts expressed are in complete opposition, or whether they unfairly attribute events to me, I will always remain in favor of freedoms of thought, opinion, and expression.”

Freedom of Conscience and Religion

• Everyone has the right to freedom of religion and conscience. This right includes freedom to change one’s religion or belief, to worship individually or collectively, and to express one’s beliefs through teaching or practicing.
• Representatives and followers of all minority and majority religious groups should have the freedom to make peaceful demands out of religious needs. These demands should be addressed or attended within the framework of democratic principles and universal human rights and freedoms.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”EDUCATION” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1858″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Education is the antidote against ignorance and it is the most effective tool for empowering individuals, building cultural awareness, and positively impacting society for generations to come.

We should teach our children the importance of character and respect so that they grow to become contributing members of their societies.
A balanced education should foster common core values, including multicultural understanding, character development and social responsibility. These values equip students with the tools to use their knowledge for the common good.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”SOCIAL HARMONY” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]The Eesti Foorum Dialoogi Keskus works to foster environments of mutual respect and social harmony in communities through its member organizations and partners. We do this by educating people about different faiths and cultures, condemning violence and terror, and creating opportunities for dialogue and collaboration among people from diverse backgrounds. We believe that these issues touch us all, no matter where we are in the world and hope to raise awareness around them in order to better understand the challenges we face in societies today.

It is our hope that in focusing on the values that we share, rather than on our disagreements, we can help to foster a deeper understanding and more truly harmonious society.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1856″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”PEACE” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1853″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Rahumeelne ja harmooniline kooseksisteerimine on kogu inimkonda ühendav ülim ideaal. Üha enam globaliseeruvas ühiskonnas on oluline suunata meie mõtteid ühistele ideedele ja keskenduda meie ühisele heaolule ning hoida eemale hirmu ja vägivalda tekitavate eelarvamuste vastu võitlemisest. Gulen on samuti järjekindlalt hukka mõistnud vägivalla kasutamise usulistes retoorikates ning poliitiliste, ideoloogiliste ja religioossete põhjuste kasutamise, mis terroriakte õigustavad. Hr Gulen tõi lootust Türgi kogukondadele poliitilise ja kultuurilise konflikti ajal. Selles keerulises keskkonnas hakkas te

Peaceful and harmonious coexistence is the ultimate ideal that unites all of humanity. In an increasingly globalized society, it is important to shift the discourse away from the things that divide, and instead focusing on our shared goal of peace and combating the prejudices that breed fear and violence.

Mr. Gulen has also consistently condemned the use of violence in religious rhetoric, and employing political, ideological, and religious reasons to justify acts of terror.

Mr. Gulen emerged as a voice of hope to communities in Turkey at a time of political and cultural conflict. It is in this tumultuous environment that his advocacy began to inspire individuals to uplift their communities through positive action as opposed to targeting others who subscribe to various ideologies.

Today, member organizations of the dialog center strive to promote peace and harmonious coexistence throughout Estonia through charitable works and by creating opportunities for meaningful interactions among fellow humans.

ma propaganda inspireerima inimesi positiivsete sekkumiste abil tegelema avaliku tegevusega, teiste ideoloogiate toetajate häbimärgistamise asemel. Täna püüavad EFDK liikmesorganisatsioonid edendada rahu ja harmoonilist kooseksisteerimist heategevuslike tööde kaudu üle Eesti ning luua võimalusi kaasinimestele sisukaks suhtluseks.

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Good health is a crucial component of a dignified life. One important way to contribute to the well-being of others is to help alleviate their sufferings and improve their health conditio

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1849″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”SERVING FELLOW HUMANS” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”2998″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Serving fellow humans without personal benefit is an expression of the love of humanity. Charitable work should be done without prejudice or preference, to benefit the global community and humanity.

“The person of the heart, despite his or her own physical and material needs or poverty, is a keen volunteer and altruist, and always occupied and preoccupied with planning the happiness of the people around him. He is always developing, for the community he lives in, the projects of peace, prosperity, and welfare, like the beautifully expanding patterns of an embroidery. In the face of the sufferings and miseries experienced by his community and the whole of mankind, with a heart similar to one of God’s messengers, he endures palpitations, exasperations, and pangs of conscience.” (F. Gulen, Statue of Our Souls, Chapter 12).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]