The Center for International and European Studies (CIES) at Kadir Has University, CSR Turkey, and Social Approval Initiative launched a new initiative that meant to explore and debate how society is changing as a result of the COVID19 pandemic. The idea is to explore whether new type of social consciousness has been emerging where different societal actors (CSOs, businesses, academia, regional and local administrations) interact with each other to contribute via debate and/or action to the new normal that the pandemic has forced upon us. In fact, the existing SDG framework with its actions, targets, and priorities provides a point of reference which could reinforce some of the debates and trends that have been emerging since the pandemic has become part of our lives.

As a first step “Social Consciousness Unchained” highlighted debates among representatives of various societal actors from different countries through regular webinars which will be duly announced on the websites of the partner organizations and their social media feeds.

The first installment focused on whether a new social consciousness has emerged in Turkey, Greece, and Ukraine by exploring some of the societal initiatives, from the business sector to foundations, that have contributed to combatting the pandemic at national level and what this implies for the framing of an emerging social consciousness.

The first event of the initiative took place as a virtual event Zoom on Monday, 18 May at 17:00 to 18:15 (GMT +3). You may also see the event video on the CIES Youtube Channel.

Speakers:

• Serdar Dinler, Chair, CSR Turkey
• Maryna Saprykina, Managing Director, CSR Ukraine
• Alexandros Kostopoulos, Member of the BoD, CSR Europe; Business Development Manager, CSR Hellas
• Dimitrios Triantaphyllou, Director, CIES, Kadir Has University (Moderator)