A Soft Power Tool in Turkish Foreign Policy: The Example of Turkish Maarif Foundation

Yıl 2024, , 117 - 130, 30.12.2024

Selahattin Emre Karslı , Abdullah Mert Yazgan

https://doi.org/10.58620/fbujoss.1561456

Öz

In the 21st century, soft power elements have become increasingly important in the foreign policies of states. In this context, soft power and one of its key resources, education, have emerged as instruments of diplomacy on the international stage. Established in 2016, the Turkish Maarif Foundation has become a significant actor offering educational services across various regions with the aim of enhancing Turkey’s soft power in the field of education. By leveraging Turkey's cultural heritage, historical ties, and geopolitical position, the Turkish Maarif Foundation plays an active role in Turkish foreign policy. This study will examine the activities of the Turkish Maarif Foundation and explore how it creates an impact through soft power in Turkish foreign policy. The educational services provided by the Foundation, especially in Turkey's target regions, will be evaluated within a theoretical framework to assess their role in shaping Turkey's international image and influence. This article aims to analyze the Turkish Maarif Foundation’s function as a tool of foreign policy in accordance with the core principles of soft power.

Keywords: Turkish Foreign Policy, Soft Power, Turkish Maarif Foundation

Anahtar Kelimeler

Turkish Foreign Policy, Soft Power, Turkish Maarif Foundation

Türk Dış Politikasında Bir Yumuşak Güç Aracı: Türk Maarif Vakfı Örneği

Öz

21. yüzyılda devletlerin dış politikalarında yumuşak güç unsurları giderek önem kazanmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, yumuşak güç ve yumuşak gücün kaynaklarından birisi olan eğitim, uluslararası arenada birer diplomasi aracı olarak öne çıkmaktadır. 2016 yılında kurulan Türk Maarif Vakfı, Türkiye’nin eğitim alanındaki yumuşak gücünü artırmak amacıyla birçok farklı coğrafyada eğitim hizmetleri sunan önemli bir aktör haline gelmiştir. Türk Maarif Vakfı, Türkiye'nin kültürel mirası, tarihsel bağları ve jeopolitik konumunu kullanarak Türk dış politikasında etkin bir rol üstlenmektedir. Bu çalışmada, Türk Maarif Vakfı'nın faaliyetleri incelenerek, Türk dış politikasında yumuşak güç aracılığıyla nasıl bir etki yarattığı ele alınacaktır. Vakfın, özellikle Türkiye'nin hedef bölgelerinde sunduğu eğitim hizmetlerinin, Türkiye'nin uluslararası imajı ve etkisi üzerindeki rolü teorik bir çerçeve içerisinde değerlendirilecektir. Bu makale, yumuşak güç kavramının temel ilkeleri doğrultusunda Türk Maarif Vakfı'nın dış politika aracı olarak işlevini analiz etmeyi hedeflemektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Türk Dış Politikası, Yumuşak Güç, Türk Maarif Vakfı

Anahtar Kelimeler

Türk Dış Politikası, Yumuşak Güç, Türk Maarif Vakfı

Kaynakça

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