“Business Persons of the Year” awards from the Ekonomist magazine were handed out on March 8th, 2012. Ms. Ümit Boyner, President of the Board of Directors of TÜSİAD was presented “NGO Leader of the Year” Award.
Ms. Ümit Boyner thanked to the Ekonomist magazine and its readers for awarding her for the second time, and she continued as follows:
“NGOs are indispensable institutions of the democracies empowering us, the citizens to participate in the government and to have a say about the rules shaping our lives. On the other hand, means of free discussion are necessary for the encouragement of the participants and for the existence, the initiative and the efficient operation of the NGOs. In the democracies a just social contract between the citizens and the state is essential. NGOs can be efficient instruments in creating such a just social contract. They are capable to function this way. In the 40 years of its existence, TÜSİAD evolved as an NGO. With its dynamic structure it redefined itself time and again and tried to understand, to interiorize, and explain the changes in the world. Our works are based on the principles of transparency, participation, rule of law and accountability. Holding high these values, we share with the society our findings, opinions and proposals, focused on the principles and problems. We will continue to work objectively, to produce and to share.