YPDS Istanbul 2024

The Center for Strategy and Cultural Diplomacy (CSCD) convened the Young Public Diplomacy Summit (YPDS) Istanbul 2024 from September 5–8, bringing together emerging diplomatic practitioners from across the globe to examine the intersection of cultural heritage, contemporary public diplomacy practice, and youth-led international engagement at the strategic crossroads of civilisations.

Through meticulously crafted modules addressing 21st-century public diplomacy, indigenous peacebuilding, artivism, and the enduring legacies of Rumi and Yunus Emre, the summit leveraged Istanbul’s unique positioning as a bridge between East and West to create transformative learning experiences combining theoretical excellence with practical application.

The summit distinguished itself through comprehensive institutional visits. At TUGVA Headquarters, participants engaged with Türkiye’s leading youth development organisation, gaining insight into strategic youth empowerment programmes and social impact initiatives. Sessions at the SETA Foundation provided understanding of contemporary policy research and Türkiye’s multi-vector foreign policy approach. The visit to Sinan Pasha Madrasa offered direct exposure to traditional Islamic educational architecture and pedagogy, while the Maarif Foundation Headquarters demonstrated how educational diplomacy and academic exchange serve as tools for soft power projection.

Seven modules structured the curriculum. Public Diplomacy in the 21st Century provided foundational understanding of the field’s evolution. Indigenous Peacebuilding and Cultural Diplomacy explored how preserving indigenous knowledge, traditions, and art fosters mutual understanding. Artivism — International Advocacy Through Art examined how creative communication addresses global issues and influences policy through innovative storytelling.

Cultural Attachés and Public Diplomacy focused on the strategic role of attachés, with role-play simulations developing practical diplomatic skills. Art, Strategy, and Disinformation explored how artistic creativity merges with strategic thinking to counter disinformation. Rumi and Yunus Emre — Legacy in Public Diplomacy examined the Sufi masters’ teachings alongside visits to the Mevlana Museum and Yunus Emre cultural centres. Literature, Poetry, and Storytelling in Cultural Diplomacy developed capabilities in using narrative arts as diplomatic tools.

The summit’s strategic integration of historic sites with contemporary institutions demonstrated how traditional wisdom and modern practice combine to create comprehensive public diplomacy frameworks that respect cultural heritage while addressing contemporary challenges. Istanbul’s millennium-spanning role as a cultural and commercial hub provided living case studies in how cities serve as diplomatic crossroads.

YPDS Istanbul 2024 empowered participants to become agents of cultural understanding and international cooperation, equipped with tools combining artistic expression, strategic communication, cultural preservation, and digital engagement to address contemporary public diplomacy challenges while maintaining cultural authenticity.