turkey
The recent massacre at Charlie Hebdo magazine’s Paris office sent shockwaves through Europe and beyond, with freedom of opinion and the press defended in the West as a fundamental principle and pillar of democracy.
![2013 Taksim Square by Fleshstorm via Wikimedia Commons](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Taksim.jpg?itok=vBWdyx8A)
Exploring the discord between Turkey's democratic rhetoric and its actions.
The fact that a deepening pessimism concerning Turkey has begun to overwhelm global public opinion with the accumulation of such publications and broadcasts does not escape our notice.
The project is expected to raise awareness of the 1915 events among Turkish and Armenian youth, help establish closer ties between the young people, raise the level of mutual understanding and respect, and reduce the tension.
![Cappadocia, Flickr Creative Commons via LWYang](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Slide1_2.jpg?itok=cs-4eKYo)
This week in public diplomacy, we saw Turkey focus its efforts on cultural diplomacy.
In a landmark meeting with Turkey's female diplomats and wives of Turkish diplomats yesterday, First Lady Emine Erdoğan urged them to play a more active role in the international community in Turkey's soft power efforts.
It is well known that Turkey has expanded its soft power through international aid, which was about $3.4 billion in 2012. It is quite likely more than that now. Regarding a specific case, in September 2014, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), and the Mexican Agency for International Development (AMEXCID) on close cooperation in terms of regional and international aid projects.
Following the success of Qatar Brazil 2014, Qatar UK 2013 and Qatar Japan 2012, Qatar Museums Is proud to officially announce the launch of the Qatar Turkey 2015 Year of Culture.