YOUNG TURKEY/YOUNG AMERICA: A NEW RELATIONSHIP FOR A NEW AGE
Wednesday, May 5 – Tuesday, May 25, 2010
PROGRAM SUMMARY
On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, World Learning Visitor Exchange Program is administering a three and a half week long project entitled “Young Turkey/Young America” A New Relationship for a New Age” for twenty-eight participants from Turkey and the United States of America. The overall aim of the project is to support and to promote the participation of young Turkish leaders in a transatlantic dialogue on foreign policy issues. The program goals are as follows:
Participants will:
• Engage in serious and productive dialogue on international issues in ways that strengthen civil society and the democratic process;
• Create new links between emerging leaders and organizations in Turkey and the United States;
• Foster a better understanding of the priority issues and ideas that prevail in each society; and
• Gain a fuller understanding of U.S. and Turkish foreign policies, political structures and cultures.
Washington, DC (Wednesday, May 5 – Wednesday, May 12)
• Orientation to the program;
• Discussion of U.S. and Turkish foreign policy goals and practices;
• In-depth study and practice of cross-cultural communications;
• Planning of the projects being implemented by the Turkish grantees and their American counterparts;
• Meetings with key players in shaping the American-Turkish relationship including the U.S. State Department, congressional staff, think tanks and the Embassy of Turkey; and
• Cultural Activities.
U.S. Participants Hosting Grantees from Turkey (Wednesday, May 12 – Monday, May 18)
• Introduction to American participants’ cities;
• Local perspectives on foreign policy issues;
• Understanding the local community;
• Home stay/job shadowing with American participants; and
• Beginning stages of project implementation.
Cleveland, Ohio (Tuesday, May 18 –Saturday, May 22)
• Conflict Resolution workshop;
• Civic participation and multiculturalism;
• Home stay with a local family; and
• Foreign policy roundtable.
Washington, D.C. (Saturday, May 21 – Tuesday, May 22)
• Project updates;
• Discussion on the future of the U.S.-Turkey relationship;
• Public Speaking Opportunity; and
• Cultural activities.
