STRATEGIC PRACTICES OF PUBLIC DIPLOMACY POLICIES IN EDUCATIONAL FIELD AND TURKEY’S POTENTIAL FOR CULTURAL DIPLOMACY

Abstract

Public Diplomacy management, based on mutual communication and interaction, largely benefits from the elements of soft power such as culture, education, sport and etc. for creating mutual sympathy. The increase of positive perceptions enables the connection between people. Thus, people could know and understand each other. Afterwards, long term and persistent relations could be established and countries could gain sympathy. Cultural Diplomacy in Public Diplomacy is practiced through Exchange programs and cultural associations in foreign countries. The Exchange programs such as Fullbright and Erasmus; associations such as French Cultural Associations and British Councils are the best examples. Recently, the states willing to create interaction between societies and long-term relations deeply focus on two elements: Education and Language. The countries that mange to teach their own language to other societies also manipulate the education system/perception of these societies and transmit their own cultural value. Furthermore, these countries benefit from the attraction of culture and education called as soft power elements rather than imposition and press. This paper explains the role of public diplomacy in the new century, underlines the success of strategies practiced in educational field and emphasizes on the Turkey’s potential for cultural diplomacy.