Cultural Diplomacy: Türkiye’s Global Influence through Education and Exchanges

Today, nations are putting increasing emphasis on culture, education, and cultural exchange as tools of diplomacy. Milton C. Cummings (2003) defines cultural diplomacy as the exchange of ideas, information, art, and other aspects of culture among nations and their people to foster mutual understanding. This is the true art of diplomacy, applied by great civilizations all over the world from the dawn of time. This is, in my opinion, a much more effective means of cooperation compared to the use of military force or political threats, because it is diplomacy that builds, not tears down or dominates. 

Türkiye is one such country. We have invested heavily in education and cultural exchange as means of diplomacy and furthering our global goals. A great example of this is our KATİPATA program.

In April of this year, our leaders rebranded the KATİP program, previously created as a Turkish language program for public officials and academicians, and sharpened it to focus on the Central Asian Turkic Republics, officially renaming it as KATİPATA. A joint initiative between YTB and Hacettepe University, Türkiye, will bring participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan for 3 months to experience Turkish language courses, cultural workshops, visits to historical sites, and academic exchanges. Through KATİPATA, Türkiye aims not only to strengthen linguistic, cultural, and academic ties with the Central Asian Turkic Republics but also to deepen long-term political and economic partnerships through our shared Turkic identity.

Prior to this diplomatic effort, Türkiye has long welcomed thousands of international students every year, building bridges with other countries through our scholarship programs. Former recipients and international alumni, having experienced and fallen in love with our country, people, and culture, often become cultural ambassadors of Türkiye in their home country. The Yunus Emre Institute, a worldwide non-profit organization established in 2007, promotes Turkish culture and language to over 60 countries worldwide, with free online courses available wherever the internet reaches. Türkiye has proven itself time and time again to position itself as a country that fosters mutual understanding and dialogue, not just within the Turkic borders, but worldwide. 

I discussed in a previous post that Türkiye is an influential bridge between nations. Strengthening ties with Turkic Republics will further enhance our influence, especially in Central Asia, a key geopolitical asset to the global community. Education programs are a building tool; a gesture of goodwill, translating into stronger economic, political, and diplomatic cooperation. We do not neglect our more traditional forms of diplomacy, but complement them with more sustainable programs such as the KATİPATA.

Beyond trade and geopolitics, Türkiye shines a spotlight on cultural connection and education. As a historically central hub of the world, it is impossible for us not to both give and receive from those we come in contact with. In an era of global challenges, where some countries still compete for power and influence through means of force and destruction, Türkiye wishes to share its knowledge about diplomacy that fosters peace and stability. Cultural diplomacy is quiet, but powerful, and we hope that more countries become aware of the strength that it can bring.

Reference: https://ytb.gov.tr/en/news/ytb-and-hacettepe-university-are-initiating-a-new-era-in-education-with-the-katip-program-for-the-turkic-world