EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

Exchange programs form the core of the ARI Movement’s mission to help educate the civic leaders of the future. ARI Movement sends young Turkish people aged between 18-40 to political and professional exchange programs in various countries and hosts foreign delegations in Turkey within the context of several exchange programs. Participants develop their diplomatic skills, involve in discussions about a variety of matters and establish important relations with the political leaders of the host countries and they develop their professional relations. American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL since 1998), Israel Youth Exchange Council (IYEC), American Jewish Committee (AJC), Swedish Social Democrat Youth (SSU) and Cultural Diplomacy Institute (ICD, Germany), The Atlantic Association of Young Political Leaders (AAYPL) and the Armenian-Turkish Team Reporting Project are major exchange partners of ARI Movement. These programs promote a free and open exchange of views and the sharing of information, which is one of the ARI Movement's main objectives. Participants learn diplomatic skills, engage in dialogue on bilateral issues and forge professional relationships through the unique access they receive to the political leadership of the nations they visit. Exchange programs also include visits to NGOs and universities.

The American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL):

ACYPL aims to foster relations between the next generation of political leaders in the United States and their counterparts around the world. The program strives to provide delegates with knowledge of the institutional and political structure of the various levels of government in the destination country. Delegates also complete a program with a clear understanding of how the national, sub-national, and local governments work together. Delegates usually meet with members or their staff of the national legislature, “state” or regional elected officials, local elected officials, and members of the executive branch. Often panel discussions provide a good forum in which delegates can not only learn about the role of a specific level of government but also witness how its members interact. In general, meetings give delegates knowledge of the roles and duties assigned to each level and where those roles and duties either overlap or become exclusive.

In a broad sense, the goal of any ACYPL program is for the delegates to complete the program with:

- An appreciation for the diversity of the culture, geography, and politics of the host country;
- A clear and broad understanding of the political, economic, and governmental structure of the host country; and
- An understanding of the relationship between the United States and Turkey.

ACYPL - ARI Movement Bilateral Exchange Program has been continuing since 1998. More than 50 young political leaders of both countries have participated since then.


ICD - ARI Movement Exchange Project - 2007-2009:

The program is intended for young professionals between the ages of 28 and 38 who have demonstrated a unique vision for the future and the necessary courage and dedication to set their ideas in motion. A fundamental interest in the dual exchange of culture and ideas is more highly valued than any previous contact or experience with the respective countries. Development of a lasting network of personal and Professional contacts is at the forefront of our goals and aspirations.

Germany Meets Turkey

Germany Meets Turkey creates a solid and sustainable basis for dialogue between the two nations by means of a bilateral exchange. Through this long-term exchange program a joint network of young leaders from economic, political, research, media and cultural sectors develop. This forum is truly innovative in its interdisciplinary approach and its dedication towards continued relations. Not only the participants, but also their enterprises and institutions profit from this exchange.

The Atlantic Association of Young Political Leaders (AAYPL):

The Atlantic Association of Young Political Leaders is a network between young political leaders and political advisors in the Euro-Atlantic area – USA, Canada and Europe.
It is our conviction that co-operation and strong links between politicians from different countries and continents are crucially important to create and maintain peace and freedom.
The Annual Assembly of the Atlantic Association of Young Political Leaders is coming up
and will take place in the framework of a high-ranking conference on NATO-related security and foreign policy issues.

The Israel Youth Exchange Council (IYEC)

Two groups of seven delegates each from Israel and Turkey make reciprocal visits every year. During these visits, the ARI Movement arranges meetings to introduce participants to Turkish political affairs, the business world, bureaucracy, civil society, foreign policy and educational affairs. Turkish participants in Israel learn an equal amount about Israeli affairs.

The Swedish Social Democrat Youth – ARI Movement Joint Program 2006 (SSU)

Funded by the Olaf Palme Center this project aims are:

- To support the democratic and organizational development within the youth movement in Turkey
- To conduct seminars, workshops on the regional and central level
- To contribute to the discussion of Turkey’s EU accession

The target group is 40 young leaders on the regional and central level in Turkey and Sweden.

Armenian-Turkish Team Reporting Project
Yerevan Press Club (Armenia) in cooperation with ARI Movement (Turkey), with the support of the Eurasia Foundation, announced a competition for journalists willing to engage in an Armenian-Turkish investigative team-reporting project, aiming to produce high quality stories about issues of mutual concern. The project helped to raise public awareness on Armenian-Turkish cross-boarder initiatives.
The selected journalists took part in a two day preparatory workshop in Istanbul in January 2008, after which they were given one month to collect material and work on their stories. Administrative, logistical, informative and financial support was provided to them by the Yerevan Press Club and ARI Movement as necessary.