8.5.2017
Speaking at the 1st National Access Providers Symposium, Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, President of the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, said, “As children of a rooted civilization, one day, if high behavioral characteristics such as morality, truthfulness, honesty, courtesy, and elegance should come to this cyber world, the responsibility lies on the shoulders of us informaticians who claim to be followers of this civilization.”
BTK President Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan attended the event held in Antalya, the 1st National Access Providers Symposium. The symposium was attended by ESB Board Chairman Av. Mehmet Çerikçi, public informatics managers and experts, and sector representatives.
THE ACCESS PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION SHOULD HAVE A BROAD VISION
Stating that the establishment of the Access Providers Association should be turned into an opportunity and its activities should be directed in every aspect as a professional association, Sayan said, “The vision of the ESB should not be limited to activities defined in the law. We want to see the Access Providers Association as a professional association where common solution proposals are brought to the sector's problems, projects needed by the sector such as cooperation with universities in training qualified personnel are developed. Along with this, I think it is possible through the development of the sector we operate in and the increase in users' trust in the internet environment. In this regard, there are great duties for both you as sector representatives and us as the regulatory institution on behalf of the public.”
WE SHOULD USE THE INTERNET CONSCIOUSLY, SAFELY, AND EFFECTIVELY
Explaining the importance of using the internet consciously, safely, and effectively so that children and young people can benefit fully from the opportunities brought by the internet as well as be protected from harmful content, Sayan said: “Conscious use covers the processes starting from knowing how to access the necessary information and data, proving that this information and data is reliable and valid after being well blended, and using it correctly. Safe use includes connecting to the online environment and personal information security as well as other online privacy and security principles within a structure that respects the rights of others while using digital technologies. Effective use covers the skills of being aware of the opportunities and benefits brought by digital technologies and being able to use these technologies.”
SAFE INTERNET CENTER CONTINUES ITS WORK
Sharing that they are close to completing the studies regarding the establishment and operation of the Safe Internet Center under the BTK, Sayan provided the following information: “The Safe Internet Service continues to be provided at this center. In addition, we continue to conduct many events, symposia, and cooperation activities both with international organizations and domestic institutions. Most recently, we have published our Comparative Study Report on the Protection of Children in the Online Environment, which covers 18 European countries, in cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union ITU. Primarily through the Safe Web, Safe Child, and Internet BTK portals, we strive to produce positive content on the subject.”
WE SHOULD CONDUCT A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER WORK
Noting that in foreign examples, Safe Internet Centers continue their work with initiatives from many civil initiatives, private sector, and internet actors, Sayan said, “From now on, we desire to emphasize awareness-raising activities and cooperation in a multi-stakeholder environment. In the age of information and technology where Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and innovation are discussed, we should teach our children both the effective use of technology and instill how to use that technology with a certain sense of responsibility and awareness in terms of awareness-raising.”
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FUTURE IS ON OUR SHOULDERS!
Reminding that as representatives of a great civilization, trying only to protect from the harms of the internet would remain too defensive, Sayan said, “From Ghazali to Ibn Arabi, from Mevlana to Yunus Emre, from Haji Bektash Veli to Haji Bayram, the most important moralists you can name on a world scale are the founders and cores of our civilization. As children of such a civilization, it is very clear that we need to say more. If one day high behavioral characteristics such as morality, truthfulness, honesty, courtesy, elegance should come to this cyber world, the responsibility lies on us, the informaticians who claim to be followers of this civilization. Just like our master Necip Fazıl said, 'What a heavy test is the Sakarya on your head/How does the canary carry the thousand-headed eagle,' no matter how heavy and impossible it seems, this will be the test of being worthy of our ancestors. If a young man in his 20s can conquer Istanbul, we must also achieve this.”
Sayan concluded his speech by wishing that the 1st National Access Providers Symposium would yield fruitful and beneficial results for our country and the participants, and thanking everyone who contributed to the event.