Our university’s Media Debate Club organized a student panel titled “From Tanzimat to Today” on December 16, 2022 at Orhanlı Campus Conference Hall.
The panel took place with the participation of approximately 100 university students. In the panel, there were four student members of the club who focused on topics related to the Tanzimat Era. Each student selected and researched a specific subject related to the Tanzimat Era, presenting it to the audience during the panel. The panel was interactive, allowing the audience to contribute by asking questions and sharing their opinions after the presentations.
The Tanzimat Era, which occurred in the first half of the 19th century in the Ottoman Empire, was a significant reform movement. During this period, various changes took place in many areas as part of modernization efforts, and these changes have had a lasting impact up to the present day.
The panel began by discussing legal and legal system reforms. It was emphasized that during the Tanzimat Era, efforts were made to modernize the Ottoman legal system by implementing reforms, creating new laws and regulations based on Western examples. These reforms were mentioned to have positively influenced the modern Turkish legal system, laying the initial foundations for the rule of law.
In the second part of the panel, education system reforms were addressed. It was conveyed that with the Tanzimat Era, new educational institutions were established, and a Western-style education approach was adopted. These reforms were highlighted as instrumental in shaping the current Turkish education system and promoting educational equality.
Furthermore, societal changes were also discussed. It was noted that the Tanzimat Era facilitated the involvement of different segments of society in the process of modernization. The panel emphasized that this period marked the beginning of advancements such as women’s participation in education and social life, as well as progress towards gender equality, laying the foundation for contemporary societal changes.
Finally, the panel touched upon the impact of the Tanzimat Era on art and literature. It was mentioned that this period brought innovations to literature and the arts, leading to the emergence of new literary genres and styles influenced by Western literature. These developments were recognized as fundamental factors shaping contemporary Turkish literature, fostering cultural richness and creativity.
