“A wonderful experience is exactly what it was in every way. The support, guidance, knowledge and patience of the MID associates were major factors leading to that result... Splendid days we had in that wonderful country.”

Ambassador Edward L. Peck
Former U.S. Ambassador to Mauritania

“Ed and I cannot thank MID enough for the experience of a lifetime. Besides being enjoyable we both learned so much during the past 10 days. It may take some time to absorb it all. There were so many special moments and so heartening to meet so many people with such admirable goals for the betterment of all.”

Ann Peck

“The trip was rewarding, uplifting and very educational, as well as fun. We discovered a fabulous country where we should have gone years ago, and we heard from people who can make the world a better place. And we very much appreciated the good care MID took of us. I know it was hard work. Thank you MID again and again.”

Thomas W. Lippman
Adjunct Scholar, the Middle East Institute in Washington DC
Former Middle East Bureau Chief, the Washington Post

“Thank you MID so much for a wonderful, amazing, enlightening, mind-expanding trip to Turkey, as Tom says a vastly underrated country. My friends are very envious of our good fortune. MID did a great job as our host.”

Sidney Lippman
Former Editor, Voice of America

“All the wonderful people who made the trip possible and who hosted it opened my heart. In our troubled world, were far too much attention is made to strife and what is ‘wrong' with those who are ‘other,' it is the opening that needs to be done, and you do it very well. Again, thank you, MID, for an incredible, once-in-a lifetime trip. I will spend much of today writing about it to keep it fresh.”

Stephen Buck
Former U.S. Consul General in S. Arabia

U.S. Congressional Delegation Members

Disclaimer: In order to ensure the MID impartiality and protect the confidentiality of the Congressional delegation members, their names are not disclosed.

“The MID trip to Turkey was very insightful and eye-opening. It was interesting to learn the vital role Turkey plays not only in the Middle East, but globally. Also, the MID trip illustrated to Congressional staffers how important US-Turkey relations are and how this nation can help be an inspiration for future democracies in the region. Moreover, through intercultural dialog and understanding we learned how important an ally this predominantly Muslim country is to the United States and to helping combat radical Islamist terrorists.”

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“At no time in the past two decades has it been more important for the United States Congress to understand what the issues are in the Middle East, what the people there are thinking, what Islamic and secular societies in the region are really about, and what the impact of our policies are. By executing a trip to Turkey for senior congressional staff, the Maryland Institute for Dialogue offered us opportunities to learn in-depth, really in a very short period of time, the myriad challenges facing the people of the region, especially the Turks and to see how they are dealing with very complicated issues under incredible composure.”

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“If there were two words that I could use to describe the Maryland Institute for Dialogue's Congressional staff delegation trip to Turkey , they would be ‘UTTERLY AMAZING'. This cross-cultural journey induced a candid political dialogue amongst Congressional staff about the future of U.S. foreign policy and approaches to intercultural dialogue. In a mere 7 days, I was given a snapshot of Turkey that linked its rich past with its globally relevant present, and provocatively evoked discourse about its future. It is impossible for me to fully describe and do justice to the impact of this visit on my personal and professional perception of how culture and religion function in different democratic societies. Nor can I adequately express the positive impression left by exposure to the overwhelming warmth, complexity, and sincerity of Turkish people in every walk of life. I can most effectively share that MID's diverse array of meetings with academics, businessmen, journalists and governmental officials let me in on an ongoing earnest intercultural dialogue based upon a shared belief in democratic governance and mutual respect. Trips such as these make me optimistic about the existence of global compromises and solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.”

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“Democracy and the spread of freedom has been at the top of the American foreign policy agenda since September 11. Thus, given Turkey's unique position as the only truly democratic and free Muslim country in the world, the long standing alliance between the United States and Turkey is arguable the most important bilateral relationship the USA has in the Middle East. Recent difficulties in that relationship have caused much hand wringing and consternation in Ankara and Washington DC as officials have struggled over how to repair the relationship. Meanwhile, the Maryland Institute for Dialogue has discovered the solution, by allowing American policy makers from Congress the opportunity to see first hand the beauties of Turkey with their fabulous Congressional Staff trips. No amount of money poured into those inside-the-beltway lobbying firms could possibly near the positive effect on the strengthening of Turkish-American relations that are achieved by the Maryland Institute for Dialogue's Program.

Mixing interactions between Congressional Staffers and Turkish government officials, Turkish business leaders and members of the Turkish community, the Maryland Institute for Dialogue has created a stellar introduction to Turkey with their Congressional Staff Trip. Whether breaking bread with over lunch with members of Turkey's Parliament or being hosted for dinner in a Turkish family's home, we were offered an intimate opportunity to experience the warmth and hospitality for which Turks are famous. Meeting with the leaders of the Armenian and Jewish communities in Turkey allowed us to hear the voices of those people for whom so much legislation is drafted in Congress on 'their behalf.' No moment is wasted on the adventure, and even every meal is an opportunity to exchange ideas and dialogue, for Congressional staffers to enjoy warm moments and become personal friends with Turkish people.”

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“The recent trip to Turkey by the Maryland Institute for Dialogue was beneficial in understanding the importance of a strong US-Turkey relationship. We have been allies for a long time and the importance of this relationship was highlighted during our visit. The meetings that were arranged by MID gave us access to high ranking political, religious, and media leaders to help better understand public opinion in Turkey at this time in history.”

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The MID trip provided me with a once in a lifetime opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas with community and political leaders in Turkey. Through direct dialogue, members of our group gained experience and had the opportunity to share ideas that that could not have been possible without the contacts, planning, and organization provided by the MID. Many stereotypes I had developed before the trip were proven to be wrong and there is no doubt that many of the Turkish people we met with were enlightened by the experience. As a staffer for a United States Congressman, I can now speak with authority on many issues related to the US-Turkish relationship.

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