Role of the Diaspora for Motherland’s Economy and Public Diplomacy: Turkish Diaspora

Republic of Türkiye was born after the Ottoman Empire; just like the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire has accessibility across the empire. Therefore, after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, some Turks stayed in their post-Ottoman land some immigrated out of the current Türkiye’s land. The second big wave occurred after World War II. Many Turks have immigrated to Germany as workers. By globalization, Turks moved around the world just like any other nation.

There are about 10 million Turkish diaspora, many of whom are mainly in Europe and the United States. These Turkish not only have their own cultural style and economic characteristics, but also have strong economic strength and influence, making great contributions to the development and prosperity of the local economy as well as has made outstanding contributions to Turkish economy and culture.

When we look at history; due to the economic gap, cultural differences, and social system differences between other countries and Türkiye, it is difficult for Turkish diaspora to join the local mainstream society, and it was difficult to fully protect the rights and interests of Turkish diaspora. The key word at this stage is “discrimination.” Only in recent years, with the strengthening of Türkiye’s soft power and the expansion of its influence in the world, has gradually improved the status of Turkish diaspora in Europe and other countries.

If the country is strong and the nation is prosperous, diaspora will be respected and have status; if the country is weak and the nation is weak, diaspora will be humiliated and discriminated against. Historical facts have repeatedly confirmed this formula. Today, as Türkiye ‘s national power grows stronger and its international status is getting closer to the center of the world stage, Turkish diaspora deeply feel that a strong country is everyone’s strong backing, and they deeply understand that Turkish diaspora are a team of this great journey of the nation.

Today, there are 10 million Turkish diaspora scattered all over the world. They have the natural advantage of connecting Türkiye with foreign countries. It is a significant bridge and bond of cultural and economic communication between countries, and an active participant and promoter of public diplomacy.

Turkish diaspora is a powerful force for Turkish public diplomacy. Their dual characteristics and are an important communication path of public diplomacy. Although they live in another country, they continue to keep ties with the motherland. Their cross-border behavior and socialization behavior are not only the objects of public diplomacy through national sentiment but also the bridges for public diplomacy between two countries.

Turkish diaspora play an important role in Türkiye ‘s economic construction. Through their wealth and resources accumulated abroad, they continue to invest in Türkiye, injecting enormous energy into Türkiye ‘s economic development. At the same time, Turkish diaspora also help Türkiye  to develop a broader market and business opportunities. They establish cooperation with Turkish companies to expand international business.

10^th DTIK World Turkish Business Congress in Istanbul

Türkiye at its hundred years of anniversary is gathering Turkish diaspora from all around the world by World Turkish Business Council (DTİK).

DTİK was founded under the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK) as first special purpose Business Council on 26.12.2007; DTİK aims to gather and coordinate all the dispersed networks of Turkish entrepreneurs and successful Turkish professionals, who have gained authority in decision-making processes of big international companies abroad, under one large structure to waken and enhance the lobbying activities. It creates common platform for Turkish diaspora in six continents. Moreover, It aims to bring solutions to problems that the Turkish entrepreneurs face abroad, and to lead the bids to establish a stronger image for Türkiye in the World.

In 2009, 2011 and 2016, DTİK held World Turkish Business Council Congress with the participation of more than 2000 Turkish entrepreneurs and professionals from approximately 80 countries. The Congress, one of the most important activities of DTİK, 10th World Turkish Business Council Congress will be held this year between 15-16 September 2023 in Istanbul, hosted by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK). Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, President of DEİK/DTİK Nail Olpak, President of Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities(YTB) Abdullah Eren, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkish States (OTS) Kubanychbek Omuraliev and members of the Turkish diaspora around the world will be present.

Personal honor and disgrace are sometimes closely linked with the destiny of the country and nation. I believe, kids of Türkiye who are living abroad have a particularly deep understanding of this situation. There are 10 of millions of Turkish diaspora living on six continents of the world, and there are many outstanding people in various fields; they even play a decisive role which are very valuable and important force the country. It is necessary to give important role to Turkish diaspora to sharing Turkish culture and telling the story of Türkiye. They are not only the inheritors of the Turkish culture, but also fully integrated with the local culture, which fully embodies the world integration of the world and has become an important part of the multicultural society. Those brings cultural exchanges with other countries and let the world better understand Türkiye. Ultimately, those ties may bring more connection in economic and political ties.

The 10th DTİK World Turkish Business Congress, organized on the 100th anniversary of our Republic, will bring new horizons for our country and nation and will accelerate the integrity and power of the Turkish diaspora.

DTİK China Consultant at Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEIK), Ph.D. Candidate at comparative politics and area studies, Shanghai International Studies University and research assistant of Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies (SAGGAS), Ahmet Faruk IŞIK,