Educational diplomacy in Turkish public diplomacy: The case of Somalia

Before entering the literature, public diplomacy activities, which we frequently encounter in the Ottoman Empire, which we consider as Turkey's heritage, have shown their impact in the international system, especially in the post-Cold War period. In the multifaceted foreign policies of global powers, rather than hard power, which includes military power, the actors they use to have the power to attract the masses appear as soft power. Soft power actors used in public diplomacy activities and activities carried out in many fields from health to economy, culture and arts to education are introduced to the people of other countries, and emphasis is placed on foreign policy studies by convincing the masses. The African continent, where Turkey has cultural and historical ties dating back to the Ottoman Empire, is in an important position in Turkey's claim to become a regional power, having determined a multifaceted foreign policy after the Cold War. In this context, Türkiye-Africa continent relations have resumed with the African Opening Action Plan implemented in 1998 and continue with the partnership policy. Carrying out public diplomacy activities for the African Continent, Turkey's position on the continent is strengthening day by day. In addition to health, humanitarian aid and economic aid, investments made on the continent in the field of education are of great importance for the positive course of relations in the long term. Türkiye, especially using the educational diplomacy channel, provides education at different degrees to thousands of African students every year. It is aimed that African students returning to their countries after their education will make a positive contribution to the relations between their countries and Turkey.