"In a world of increasing complexity and uncertainty, we need to strengthen our institutions and build a more resilient and responsive society"
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Abdullah Gül’s statement recognizes that modern life is shaped by tangled interdependencies and fast-moving shocks. Globalized markets, digital networks, climate pressures, pandemics, and geopolitical rifts create ripple effects that exceed the capacity of any single actor. Under such conditions, ad-hoc fixes and charismatic leaders are insufficient; what matters is the quality of institutions, the rules, norms, and organizations that translate public will into durable action. Complexity cannot be simplified away; it must be governed with humility and foresight.
Strengthening institutions is not only about more power; it is about better design. Resilient institutions are transparent, accountable, and capable of learning. They balance stability with adaptability, use evidence without ignoring values, and build redundancy so that failure in one node does not collapse the whole. Courts that uphold the rule of law, public health systems that coordinate across borders, schools that teach critical thinking, regulators that anticipate technological shifts, these are the scaffolding of collective resilience.
A responsive society complements resilient institutions. Responsiveness means listening to diverse communities, including those at the margins, and adjusting policies as realities change. It invites participatory governance, open data, and constructive dissent. Trust becomes a central currency; without it, even competent systems falter. To earn trust, institutions must tell the truth, own mistakes, and correct course in public view.
The private sector and civil society are crucial partners. Public–private collaboration can speed innovation while guardrails prevent harm. Local communities can adapt faster than distant bureaucracies, but they need resources, rights, and channels to scale successful experiments. Education, media literacy, and civic culture help citizens navigate complexity rather than retreat into cynicism or tribalism.
Ultimately, resilience is less about bouncing back than bouncing forward, using shocks to improve. By pairing strong, ethical institutions with a participatory, learning society, communities can face uncertainty not with fear, but with prepared confidence.
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