From 6th till 11th may the annual IASL Conference will be held in Istanbul. Istanbul isn’t that far from the Netherlands so I thought it was a good opportunity to go. Meeting colleagues from all over the world, going to interesting workshops, learning about new developments and so on. And visiting the beautiful city of Istanbul. I got information on flights, arranged permission to go from my boss and put aside my holiday savings for the trip.
But then Turkey invaded a small province in Northern Syria (Afrin) to expel the Kurdish population. It proved to be a tipping point – I will not go.
Instead of trying to achieve peace in the region Turkey destabilizes it, setting a stage for more war and suffering.
And all of a sudden the generous gesture of the Turkey Ministry of National Education to provide accommodation in the Hilton Hotel turns out to be a sort of bribe. Come tot Turkey, enjoy our hospitality, have a good time. And then go home, tell and write to colleagues, family an d friends what a good time you had.
Turning a blind eye to a Turkish government that, amongst others:
- Puts hundreds of teachers in jail because they donn’t belong to the ruling party.
- Closes newspapers which print divergent news and persecutes journalist who are critical of the government.
- Adapts school books , putting more religion in and science out.
- Closes internet pages and restricting access to it.
IASL isn’t a political party but it operates in a politicized world. I believe it favours democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of religion – in fact it stands for upholding Human Rights.
I suppose it’s difficult for IASL to find national school library organizations willing and having the possibility to organize the international congress. But in my opinion it’s better to skip a year than holding a conference in a country which turns to repression and oppression. And as an individual or organization you have to be aware of this an decide if you want to be a (small) part of it or not. I choose not.
Instead of spending my money in Istanbul (it’s always the economy that in the end moves politicians in the desired way) , I’ll donate the conference fee to the Support-a-member program.
I will not be going – I hope you will not either.
G. Lhoëst
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