May 25 Ethics Day Message by Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator

Republic of Türkiye

MINISTRY FOR EUROPEAN UNION AFFAIRS

Press and Public Relations Office

  PRESS RELEASE

MAY 25 ETHICS DAY MESSAGE

BY MEVLÜT ÇAVUŞOĞLU

MINISTER FOR EU AFFAIRS AND CHIEF NEGOTIATOR

In modern times, mankind has taken a remarkable leap forward and utilized its potential to attain a level of economic and technological development incomparable to the past. However, contemporary philosophers focusing on ethical and humanitarian values point to the risks of adopting a functional, technology-oriented and quantitative perspective. Although such a perspective results in substantial economic gains for mankind, it also poses the risk of irreversible damage by humans to themselves or nature when ethical and humanitarian values are not taken into account.

Problems such as the disruption of the ecological balance, environmental pollution, climate change, and the rapid depletion of natural resources, which are currently under intense discussion, are early warnings of the danger faced by individuals and societies.

In order to reverse these trends, we need to integrate ethical and humanitarian values into the frameworks of reference currently determining our lives which are dominated by quantitative values. Adherence to ethical principles is one of the most important aspects of human behavior that gives us the quality of “being human. Ethical consciousness orients us to being universal and to act in harmony with other people, living beings and nature.

Thus, we also need to address problems encountered in the workplace as a matter of ethics because the element of being human is also the focal point of work life.  An emphasis on ethical values in work life will enable us to overcome many problems or prevent or minimize the effects of possible risks.

I would like to express my wishes that 25 May Ethics Day and Ethics Week further contributes to the implementation of best practices in all areas of work life in Türkiye.