September 28 Individual Disarmament Award "Individual Disarmament: Entitle Life!" Cartoon Contest
September 28, 2007
Lütfi Kırdar Kongress and Exhibition Center
Nazire Dedeman
Founder President of Umut Foundation
Speech Text
Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends,
Each year, September the 28th Personal Disarmament Day, lays the groundwork for drawing our attention to violence caused by firearms, unregulated and dangerous spread of personal armament. Getting together here on this ground, standing against it, demanding a solution and joining our forces is our duty to the next generations.
With The March of Silent Shoes we organized once again this year, we would like to communicate the silent cries of those who were killed by firearms to the silent and uninformed part of the society. These silent shoes will stomp on violence each year and each year they shall walk on it. Our voices will be stronger each year.
As a result of our work for many years, the most important development is that personal disarmament has been internalized by all segments of society and that other than the Umut Foundation; various other segments are carrying out other these kinds of activities.
On this day 13 years ago, when we organized the first one of these Personal Disarmament Open Contests, one of our main goals was to draw attention to this social problem and facilitate the society see to this problem. 13 years ago personal disarmament was vague and undefined, whereas today it is in literature as an important concept that describes the ongoing bloody violence among persons. More importantly, as a result of our battle for many years if we were able to make any contribution, the most important development is that personal disarmament is seen to the media, academics, local authorities, politicians, citizens, to cut the long story short, all segments of society. Because it is very important to manufacture public opinion on a social problem. The consensus of the citizens, responsible and conscious transmittance of media, keeping the matter up-to-date without losing interest is very important. Today, if personal armament is accepted as an important problem by the society, if the efforts to solve this problem are more widespread and if the questions such as Why do people get guns?, What does personal armament mean?, How many people are killed in our country by firearms? Who is affected by this problem the most? are asked frequently, we have come a long way. We hear about the activities of non-governmental organizations, regional authorities and citizens carry out on this matter all around Turkey and these make us happy. These activities show the courage and fortitude of our people once again. Among these widespread activities one that especially draws attention is the efforts of local authorities and police forces. I would like to show my infinite gratitude on behalf of our society to Head Official of Haymana District, Osmaniye Province Police and Şanlıurfa Province Police Chief for their efforts of which we are aware of.
And today we have gathered here to announce the results of 13th Personal Disarmament Awards, the cartoon contest themed Personal Disarmament: Entitle life, to see an exhibition that consists of the works of our artists and to draw attention to the gangers of personal armament once more
The aim of our contest is to explicate the reasons, consequences and the dangers of personal armament which increases in our society each and every day by using all facilities of cartoon art and to make our society conscious of this matter.
Our distinguished Selection Panel Members got together on the first week of September and selected the winning works following a very difficult evaluation process. Naturally all humans are the outcome of their thoughts and talents and both of these are very valuable. Before all else I would sincerely like to thank all participants of this contest and the Board members for their efforts.
Before I conclude;, I would like to thank the governorship of Istanbul at the presence of our Governor, Muammer Güler, Beyoğlu Municipality, Lütfi Kırdar Congress and Exhibition Center, Borsa Restaurant for their valuable contributions and efforts as part of the September the 28th Personal Disarmament Day activities and also thank all of you who are present here showing your sensitivity to this topic.
With hope for tomorrow