MISSION STATEMENT
Istanbul is one of the world’s most important historical cities and one of Europe’s most commercially vital centres. The ICiB’s mission is to disseminate what is best about the city, and to share with its European counterparts a pride in the past and concerns about the future.
Istanbul is a European Capital of Culture 2010 nominee, and the ICiB will assist and promote that event. It does so in the belief that Istanbul is a vital element in contemporary European culture and that Turkey’s cause for European membership is best served by demonstrating common values and common concerns.
The ICiB will listen and speak out on issues that affect Turkish-EU integration. It believes that Istanbul’s deeply rooted and immensely varied cultural traditions are some of the strongest reasons in favour of Turkey’s full participation in the EU. At the same time, Istanbul is a great immigrant city, with a long tradition of accommodating and integrating those in search of a better way of life. This is a topic on which the ICiB will also speak and seek to exchange ideas.
The ICiB exists to promote the effectiveness of local government. It will be a platform for Istanbul to engage in direct relations with urban and local governments of the member states, as well as with EU institutions. It will befriend the numerous regional and local representations based in Brussels and provide permanent channels of communication to share best governance practices, know-how and technology.
The ICiB is pledged to promote dialogue. It will be active through the programmes and exhibitions it organizes in battling discrimination and racism. It is committed to promoting gender equality and the awareness of gender issues. One of the debates to which it will give priority is the nature of multi-culturalism in Europe.
The ICiB measures its own success by its ability to be inclusive. It is intended as a resource for civil societal and non-governmental organizations and for cooperation between Istanbul and the rest of Europe.