Journalists’ Intercultural Trip to Turkey
An intercultural exploration of Turkey, Turkish culture and history. Delegates not only visit popular historic and touristic sites, but do so in comfort and with the lead of experienced guides. What is more, this is not a tour of simply sites and museums but one of people and culture. Therefore, the tour is specifically tailored to maximise such exposure. One way this is achieved is by hosting the group for dinner at a Turkish family’s home; another way is by arranging meetings with locals and students. Each trip also includes meetings with those of the same or related field to the visiting delegates to help facilitate partnerships through which lasting friendships and meaningful dialogue can be achieved. Ample time for shopping and dining is also provided.
Objectives
- To project a positive image and understanding of Britain in Turkey.
- To develop links with key Turkish educational, media and voluntary sector organisations.
- To develop a better understanding of 'Turkish Muslimness' and civil society.
The Dialogue Society, in association with the Education and Dialogue Society, Hull, organised a Turkey-Trip for a group of ten British Journalists and Public Relations Directors between 23rd May – 30th May 2008. The purpose of the trip was to provide greater insight into modern Turkey and the works of a civil society community, namely the Gulen Movement. The trip included meetings with Turkish journalists and politicians and visits to Gulen-inspired schools and organisations.
Guests on the trip included Riazat Butt, the Guardian’s religious affairs correspondent who later produced a video documentary on the Gulen movement.
To watch the Guardian’s video documentary on the Gulen movement, please click here.
Muddassar Ahmed, another guest on the trip and freelance producer, wrote the following reflection upon his return:
"Along with 8 other British Media personnel, I was fortunate in being selected to go on a trip to Turkey with the Dialogue Society & Educational Dialogue Centre, Hull in May 2008.
Having visited Turkey on a previous occasion this year, I was excited at the prospect of exploring the socio-political foundations of a land that holds such strategic significance in its location between two continents. As a keen follower to Turkey's progress, this trip offered a unique chance to understand the vision of a nation through the grassroots in order to play a functionary role in relaying the information to our respective UK networks for purposes of public relations.
During the trip, the economic, political and social progress made by Turkey in recent years was highlighted. Over the course of our trip it became apparent that the Gulen Movement has played a key role in Turkey's recent yet rapid modernisation.
We visited Gulen inspired educational establishments, hospitals and media holding companies. In various discussions over dinner with Turkish academics, journalists and politicians it became apparent that the Gulen movement has inspired a number of strategically important projects in Turkey. The educational establishments particularly stood out not only because of the continual increasing numbers and accessibility of such institutions across the country but also because of the maintenance of high standards.
All these projects have a strong public service ethos, running professionally, efficiently and in an accountable manner. More importantly, they have won the trust, respect and admiration of Turkish civil society.
The organisers of our trip worked hard to accommodate traditionally demanding journalists on the trip. They endeavoured to keep everyone happy by trying hard to fulfil any individual interview/meeting requests that any member of our group had whilst also trying to keep to the pre-agreed schedule.
I was very impressed with the level of political access afforded to our group in Turkey, It's clear that the Dialogue Society & Educational Dialogue Centre, Hull added unique value to our trip with the very impressive list of contacts that they were able to draw upon.
My only recommendation from the experience would that the experience does not terminate here. Greater understanding and public relations can only flourish from further experiences."
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Institute for Dialogue Studies
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