Intercultural Communication and the Importance of Children in the Development of Cultural Diplomacy: The Case of Turkey

Abstract

In this study, cultural diplomacy, which is a sub-branch of intercultural communication and public diplomacy in the perspective of public diplomacy, and the role played by children in the development of cultural diplomacy, in particular, were investigated. It has analysed the kind of contribution the practices that children are in the centre contribute to cultural diplomacy. As a result of this, it was determined that practices such as the ‘23 April National Sovereignty and Children's Day’, which are present in, for example, Turkey, contribute significantly to public diplomacy and intercultural communication. Moreover, in doing this, they have analysed the fact that being chosen as a child actor in public diplomacy has flexed the political approach among states and made the perception of propaganda less felt. As a result of the study, it has been determined that countries give children a central role in their cultural diplomacy practices. In addition, it has been understood that countries have established contact with many countries and societies in this way. In the case of Turkey, it has been determined that in the cultural diplomacy practices of Turkish organisations, mostly Muslim or Turkish origin countries invite their children to the events.

Citation

Eren, E. (2022), "Intercultural Communication and the Importance of Children in the Development of Cultural Diplomacy: The Case of Turkey", Yerdelen, B.K., Elbeyoğlu, K., Sirkeci, O., Işıkçı, Y.M., Grima, S. and Dalli Gonzi, R.E. (Ed.) Being a Child in a Global World, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 183-190. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-240-020221019