Theme: From theory to Practice

Self Improvement, Progress & Performance 

Cüneyt KALPAKOGLU

1^er Grand Surveillant

As the Liberal Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Turkey, we define  and interpret "a freemason" as synonymous to "an exemplar human being who cross-examines himself, improves continuously, tries to advance towards perfection, is useful to the entire humanity in addition to his own family and country, acts considerably for and protects the natural environment as much as the social milieu". We wish to share this understanding with all Masonic institutions throughout the world and wish to share this understanding with all Masonic institutions throughout the world.

In order for a person to become a freemason, we find it a prerequisite as well as being sufficient to be;

- of mature age, having free-thought, earnest, sincere, and holding good moral conduct,

- possessing adequate basic education in order to comprehend the tenets and teachings of Freemasonry, and

- having a personality revealed to self-improvement.

We allow necessitating any further requirements in persons who may become a freemason to the self-perception of each institution that is concerned.

We adjudge the attitude of considering discrimination among people due to their nation, race, language, religion, denomination, belief, sex, economical status, cultural characteristics and similar factors as being against the universal principles of Freemasonry.

We believe that, the way leading towards the universal ideal of humanity that purposes peace, happiness and fraternity of all human beings and all communities is the one that is apart from every sort of discrimination.

We think that this route passes through embracing each other with love and respect, and through perfection attained by uniting with tolerance. We look forward to seeing the reflections of such perfection in every activity that provides benefits to humanity.

We regard it as one of the natural and inevitable requisites of human rights and obligations that everyone, whether man or woman, are equal with respect to the right of becoming a freemason. On behalf of the honor of humanity, we wish that contrary approaches in this respect change.

We consider it as imperative not to intervene in one’s religion, faith, belief peculiar to oneself or disbelief. We assert that intolerant approaches in this matter will cause quarrel, combat and hostility among persons and communities.

Therefore, during the meetings of our lodges, we place on the altar an open white book having empty sheets throughout.

We perceive that religions, beliefs, ethics, political and economical regimes or doctrines can be deliberated in lodges by an unprejudiced scientific and rational approach. We consider this as useful to us all in expanding our horizons of culture, as well as improving our knowledge, notions, and capabilities. However, in our lodges, we oppose assertion of biased opinions that are illogical, that deny scientific approach, and that hinder the evolutionary development of humanity.

From this point of view we believe that its our main responsibility to understand and to offer realistic solutions  for today’s  problems of young men and women, as well as their vision and aspirations, are an essential element of the challenges facing today’s societies and future generations. 

Young people around the world are living in countries at different stages of development, yet aspire to live full lives in their societies that will allow them to gain an education, develop a career or find employment, meet the basic needs of adequate food and shelter, good health and access to medical care, access to fundamental freedoms, participation in the decision-making processes that impact their societies, and availability of cultural and recreational activities.  

The global youth population, aged 15 to 24 years of age, has grown in the last ten years from 1,025 million to 1,153 million, which is approximately 18% of the world population representing the agents, beneficiaries, and victims of the changes taking place across the world. The majority of these young men and women live in developing countries, and their numbers are expected to continue to increase into the twenty-first century. 

These changes will inevitably affect the total world population into the next century.

The World Youth Report 2005 “reviews the global situation of young people, with regard to the fifteen priority areas for youth: education, employment, poverty, health, environment, drugs, delinquency, leisure, girls and women, participation, globalization, HIV/AIDS, conflict and intergenerational issues.”

The findings of the report detail that

· Over 200 million youth are living in poverty
       · 130 million youth are illiterate
       · 88 million are unemployed,
       · 10 million young people are living with HIV/AIDS.  

The proposals of the World Programme of Action for Youth highlights the examples of the proposals for action in ten priority areas:

education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency, leisure time activities, girls and young women, and the full and effective participation of youth in the life of society and in decision-making.

An international youth dialogue to develop the voices of and for youth focusing on: Enhancement of youth involvement in decision-making process of the U.N. system Development of joint youth policies and projects Establish effective and efficient channels of communication and modes of  cooperation between and among youth and youth serving organizations.

According to the Statistics in the United States from August, 2004;

Drug Use – 14% aged 24 – 25 used illicit drugs in the past week; 9% aged 24 to 26 reported regular binge drinking; and 27% aged 24 – 26 were smokers.

Education: 11% of 25 yr olds did not have a high school degree or equivalent and 28% had a bachelor’s degree.

Employment: 5.7% female and 3.3% of male young adults aged 23 -27 were not working or in education.

Living Arrangements: 4 in 10 young people had had a child; 48% of young women and 32% of young men. 77% of young people in their mid twenties had left the parental home; 4 in 10 were currently or had previously been married; and 12% were cohabiting with a partner of the opposite sex.

In a national survey of American youth aged 10 to 17 years who were regular internet users:  25% had been exposed to unwanted sexual pictures in the previous year.

From this respect I would like to share the concrete approaches that we have successfully executed as the Liberal Grand Lodge of Turkey.

     Masonic Sessions with the Young People , total of 168  boys & girls joined between the ages of 16-24 and 14 of them has been initiated as our Brother.

     Self Improvement Think Tank Club for youngsters ,

     Young Artist’s Progress and performance Club ,

One of our Brethren who is a worldknown artist has been assigned as a coordinator for Young Artist’s Progress & Performance Club and through him we established a group of professors and the instructors from the Universities Plastic Art departments.

We have informed them that they are allowed to use our Grand Lodges Library each week periodicly and by this way we have executed joint meetings with them and finally we have developed beneficial concepts altogether.

We have authorized our academician brothers of this group that they are allowed to suggest one or two of their trustworthy students without a precondition if they are our Brethren’s or sister’s child.

There of the artist brethren have been selected and they were authorized to interview with the young people whom would be proposed for this club. After a short period the youngsters also authorized to propose thrustworthy friends as candidates for the Club.

All the members of this group are e-mailing to each other and sharing information thru internet by their private e-groups.

During the meetings they are trying to understand and debate the concepts and goals of freemasonry and every youngster is producing his own artwork through his own educational and intuitive background which are:

- paintings
- music
- sculpture
- ceramics
- dance
- stage play

This process will be converted to an official association and this organization will represent all these performances to the public. They will publish books & periodicals, they will arrange Art Contests, they will offer awards and scholarships.

By this way tomorrows young artists will carry a Masonic identification which will lead them to wisdom.