Hrant Dink Foundation, through the projects implemented under the Turkey-Armenia Programme, makes efforts to build closer ties between the peoples of the two neighbouring countries. The Turkey-Armenia Fellowship Scheme, implemented in partnership with Gyumri Youth Initiative Centre with the support of the UK Government's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund aims to foster cross-border cooperation and exchange of knowledge between professionals from the two neighbouring countries.

Okan Doğan is a fellow of the Turkey-Armenia Fellowship Scheme supported by Hrant Dink Foundation at the Caucasus Research Resource Center Armenia (CRRC) and did his preliminary studies for extending his research into the Armenian intellectual field in future. Doğan is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Bilkent University, Turkey, where he also completed his undergraduate studies. His dissertation research draws upon the literature on the sociology of intellectuals and sociology of knowledge and focuses on the debates about the Armenian Genocide in the Turkish intellectual field in recent years.

Host organization CRRC’s Executive Director Heghine Manasyan stated that hosting Hrant Dink Foundation’s fellows is an honour and an obligation in the times where Armenia and Turkey have no diplomatic relations. Telling that Okan Doğan preferred to communicate with people and learn more about Armenia, Manasyan also stated that Doğan learning Armenian helped in scientific conversations as well.

Noticing the balance between familiarities and unfamiliarities of customs and behavioural patterns in Armenia, Doğan stated that it was an interesting experience. Telling that, Armenian people being very hospitable, friendly and calm, he also added that he will never forget former President Serzh Sargsyan's resignation and the people’s happiness which he witnessed during his stay. Stating that if we want to contribute to the normalisation process of Armenia and Turkey, we have to be open to the idea of visiting both countries, meet each other and do business and research together. Okan Doğan and Heghine Manasyan have talked about their experiences with the Turkey-Armenia Fellowship Scheme and their suggestions for future fellows and host organizations.

Turkey-Armenia Fellowship Scheme, in 2017 - 2018, is implemented by the Hrant Dink Foundation
in partnership with Gyumri Youth Initiative Centre
with the support of the UK Government's Conflict, Stability and Security Fund

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