A workshop titled ‘Why Women are Indispensable in Diplomacy’ will be organized at Çankaya University

Çankaya University Women’s Studies Application and Research Center (KADUM) will organize a workshop on ‘Why Women are Indispensable in Diplomacy’ on June 24th, World Women in Diplomacy Day. The workshop will be the first event held in Turkey within the scope of World Women in Diplomacy Day declared by the United Nations in 2022. The transformation brought about by the inclusion of women diplomats in the field of diplomacy, traditionally considered as a stronghold of men throughout the history of international relations, will be discussed in terms of how to build more diversity and inclusivity, what initiatives and policies can be addressed to promote equal opportunities for women in leadership positions in foreign policy. Following the opening speeches by the Rector of Çankaya University, Prof. Dr. Hadi Hakan Maraş, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Berris Ekinci, the workshop will feature contributions from female ambassadors of foreign countries serving in Turkey, female ambassadors working within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, experts, media representatives focusing on diplomacy, and presidents of civil society organizations working in this field. The workshop, moderated by the Director of KADUM, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Karahan Uslu, focuses on ensuring the participation of women at all levels in decision-making processes on equal terms with men, with the aim of achieving sustainable development, peace, and democracy. She emphasized that despite playing an active role in diplomacy for centuries, women’s contributions have often been overlooked. Research shows a strong link between peace agreements realized by women and lasting peace. Humanity needs more women actors in decision-making and guiding positions in diplomatic processes, and through this workshop, we will make a meaningful contribution to the construction of such platforms and continue our initiative in this field. The workshop will start at 09:30 on Monday, June 24th at Çankaya University Culture and Congress Center, and the findings and recommendations of key stakeholders on the topic will be compiled into a report and shared with the public.