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Transforming state–civil society relations: centralization and externalization in refugee education

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2020

Maissam Nimer Open the ORCID record for Maissam Nimer [Opens in a new window]
Maissam Nimer*
Affiliation:
Istanbul Policy Center, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Turkey; Migration Research Center, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey. Address: Bankalar Cad. No: 2 Minerva Han 34420 Karaköy, İstanbulTurkey. Email: msnimer@gmail.com.
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Abstract

In the context of the arrival of Syrians as of 2011 and the subsequent humanitarian assistance received in light of the EU–Turkey deal in 2016, there has been increased control over civil society organizations (CSOs) in Turkey. Through the case study of language education, this paper examines the relationship between the state and CSOs as shaped by the presence of Syrian refugees and how it evolved through the autonomy of state bureaucracy. It demonstrates that increased control led to the proliferation of larger projects, the deterrence of smaller CSOs, and a hierarchy between organizations prioritizing those that are aligned with the state. It argues that this policy is not only the result of the increased lack of trust between state and civil society but also an attempt to channel funds through state institutions to handle an unprecedented number of refugees while externalizing some of its functions. At the same time, this emerging relationship effectively allows the state to avoid making long-term integration policies and facing growing tensions among the public. This study is based on a qualitative study encompassing interviews with state officials as well as stakeholders in different types of CSOs that deliver language education for adults.

Keywords

migrationrefugeescivil society organizationsstatelanguage educationSyriansTurkeystate institutionsbureaucracy
Type
Articles
Information
New Perspectives on Turkey , Volume 63 , November 2020 , pp. 32 - 54
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Author’s note: I wish to thank Didem Danış, Umut Türem, and Volkan Yılmaz, for their invaluable comments on earlier versions of this paper. I am also grateful to the very initial comments of members of AYAK group. I also wish to thank Tuygun Oruç for contributing to the fieldwork and sharing her ideas and enthusiasm in the process. The names of concerned individuals and institutions are not divulged to preserve the confidentiality, maintain trust, and preserve the integrity of this paper.

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