The Global Political Trends Center (GPoT Center), operating under Istanbul Kültür University, is a leading platform that enables political stakeholders, academics, civil society representatives, and policymakers to come together and discuss current global and regional challenges in a neutral and safe environment. Established in 2009, the center functions as an independent and non-partisan think tank, with no affiliation to any political ideology or institution.
The core mission of the GPoT Center is to promote peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms through dialogue and reconciliation, thereby contributing to stability, democratization, and peace processes. In this context, the Center brings together politicians, diplomats, academics, media representatives, and civil society organizations from Türkiye and around the world to organize multi-stakeholder diplomacy meetings, dialogue forums, and workshops. These gatherings provide a space where all participants can express their views freely and engage in constructive and critical discussions.
To date, the Center has created neutral and academically grounded platforms addressing several sensitive issues such as the Türkiye–Armenia reconciliation process, Cyprus negotiations, democratization in the Middle East and North Africa, EU–Türkiye relations, and Transatlantic cooperation. The “Heybeliada Talks,” known as second-track diplomacy meetings, have brought together leaders with differing perspectives to foster peaceful dialogue and mutual understanding.
Since 2013, the GPoT Center has held special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC), further solidifying its reputation as an internationally recognized center for dialogue and reconciliation. Moreover, it maintains collaborations with several prestigious institutions such as the Anna Lindh Foundation, Open Society Foundation, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, and the London School of Economics, reinforcing its commitment to global cooperation and intercultural understanding.
GPoT Website Link: https://www.iku.edu.tr/gpot/index.php/
