The ethics of money

Our pepital. They remember those businessmen who they have benefited from and who have pledged themselves to society with respect. Otherwise, the names of Vehbi Koç, Sakıp Sabancı, İzzet Baysal and Kadir Has would not be in our minds, businesspeople who have found their way in many people’s hearts because of the hospitals, schools and museums they have built.

There are other businesspeople who are involved in efforts to find solutions for social problems. For example, the founders of TEMA, Hayrettin Karaca and Nihat Gökyiğit. Or the TOG, who was founded by retired bank CEO Ä°brahin Betil. 

Koç Group Head Ali Koç has also started initiatives to increase the recognition of the Global Principles Compact.

I have personally seen how the Hüsnü Özyeğin Foundation has contributed to the transformation of rural areas with the philosophy “development is a basic human right.”

I must also count the group that I work with. The “Daddy, Send Me to School” campaign has led to the construction of dozens of dormitory buildings and schools, while providing educational scholarships for more than 10,000 girls. Similarly, the Domestic Violence hotline has supported more than 41,000 domestic violence victims since 2007.

This is in our tradition. In the Ottoman Empire, foundations constituted the basic institutional mechanisms in such public services as education, health and social security. Today, Turkish society is transforming into a more participatory, charitable structure than the classic approach.

The social responsibility concept is quite popular in our country. Yes, many companies promote themselves through them, but nevertheless their contribution to society, human rights, gender equality and the...