Portrait of Turkey

This exciting program, inaugurated in 2007 with 12 participating councils, is generously sponsored by the Turkish Cultural Foundation (TCF).  The overwhelmingly positive response from participants prompted the Foundation to not only renew the program but increase it in 2008 - to 21 councils from across the U.S.
 
This three-part series includes a Teachers' Workshop on Turkey in the spring.  Participating councils organize and conduct a one-day workshop for their local high school teachers.  Workshops focus on various aspects of Turkish history and culture, and offer teachers ideas for introducing Turkish culture into their general high school curricula.

In addition, following each local workshop, four teachers from each council are selected to participate in a Study Tour of Turkey during the summer.  The Study Tour is organized and conducted by the Turkish Cultural Foundation.  In 2007, 50 participants visited Turkey through this program; in 2008, a total of 84 visited Turkey on these special study programs!  Itineraries, photos, and comments from the 2007 and 2008 programs can be found at: http://www.turkishculturalfoundation.org/pages.php?ID=13.
 
During the fall, participating World Affairs Councils offer programs showcasing Turkish culture and allowing the teachers who visited Turkey to share their impressions of and experiences in Turkey.  These programs draw on the teachers who participated in the study tour and consist of a variety of cultural activities, including (but not limited to): film screenings, performances, food, discussion groups, book groups, etc.

The TCF, with its large network of affiliates and partners throughout the U.S., has not only provided the financial support for the program but has also been instrumental in identifying local partners throughout the United States to help the councils showcase Turkey's unique and diverse heritage.

The 2009 program, for as many as 25 councils, has just been announced to all World Affairs Councils. Councils will be selected to participate in the program based on competitive applications submitted to the national World Affairs Councils of America office. The target date to announce participating councils is early-mid December 2008; this information will be posted to the WACA website as soon as it is available. The program will commence at all participating councils in early 2009. Teachers interested in participating in the 2009 study tours should apply through their local participating World Affairs Councils.

For more information about this program, please contact Christie Roberts, Director of Programs, at 202.833.4557 or croberts@worldaffairscouncils.org. 

To learn more about the Turkish Cultural Foundation, please go online to their website: www.turkishculturalfoundation.org.