The International Turkish Language Olympiads (ITLOs) : educating for intercultural dialogue and communication

This paper outlines the role of the International Turkish Language Olympiads (ITLO) in establishing the understanding and importance of intercultural dialogue and communication amongst high school students across the globe as a means of combating the negative aspects of globalisation. It highlights the use of foreign language education as a catalyst to enable this interaction and as a means for enhancing understanding, respect and tolerance amongst people from different backgrounds. The ITLO is an NGO that organises language and culture Olympiads for secondary students from Transnational Turkish Schools; hosting 2000 students from 140 countries in the latest 2013 Olympiads. The ITLO are held in Turkey and in the Turkish language which aim to facilitate significant cultural exposure and exchange between students in an environment of respect and openness. Using information gathered from a sample set of student participants in the ITLO, this paper considers whether the ITLO is able to achieve its aim and whether the forum of the ITLO is successful for this purpose. Overall, it argues that the ITLO provides a platform for cross-cultural exchange and supports the aims of working towards a more peaceful world through a celebration of diversity, intercultural dialogue and respect for all humanity.