Interaction on different levels of society and personal exchanges between the peoples of Turkey and the United States is an area that needs special attention. To achieve this goal, the Turkish Cultural Foundation is developing four new programs, which will be implemented starting in 2007.

Cultural Tours

The purpose of the project is to awaken interest and increase knowledge among leaders and trend-setters in different segments of US society vis-a-vis Turkey. TCF is inviting select individuals to join its cultural tours as TCF guests. More information on past and upcoming tours is listed here.

Teacher Study Tours to Turkey

As part of a partnership program between the Turkish Cultural Foundation and the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA), TCF and 18 World Affairs Councils around the US and the Birmingham International Center have joined to organize three study tours to Turkey for a total of 80 educators in the Summer of 2010. Please see their comments above and photos at our Share Turkish Culture website and blog site. Similar study tours are planned for the Summer of 2011. For more information on this program, please visit: www.worldaffairscouncils.org and here.

Lecture Series Project

There is very limited little knowledge about Turkey, the Turkish people and their culture in the United States and the popular image of Turkey is shaped by mass media, which rarely portrays an accurate picture of the nation.

Particularly in the area of Turkish culture and the Turkish people's contribution to world cultural heritage, little information reaches the general American public.

By establishing an annual lecture series on issues related to Turkey, particularly on Turkish society and culture, we aim to increase knowledge on and interest in Turkey. cultural activities and contributions as well. For more information on this program, please visit here.

Museum Staff Exchanges

Museum administrators and curators in Turkey face many challenges and little opportunity to improve their knowledge of international museum standards. This is particularly true of public museums. Exposing them to museum administration, conservation, curatorial standards etc. at leading European and American museums will enrich their knowledge and contribute to the better management of Turkish museums. On the other hand, visits by staff of American and European museums to Turkish museums will increase their interest in and knowledge of Turkish cultural heritage and could create more interest in hosting Turkish exhibitions.

Overall, increased direct interaction between staffs of Turkish and international museums will contribute to enhancing cultural exchanges and to better museum management in Turkey. The Turkish Cultural Foundation has allocated funds for proposals from individuals and institutions to participate in this project.