Istanbul Aydın University's newly established UNESCO chair in Cultural Diplomacy, Governance and Education along with the Occidental Studies Applied Research Center will host a conference titled "The Perception of Turkey in Europe and the Dilemma of Islamophobia" at Cambridge University in the U.K. on March 12. The conference, which will open with statements from the Turkish Ambassador to London Abdurrahman Bilgiç, Lord John Sharkey from the British House of Lords and Istanbul Aydın University President Mustafa Aydın, will welcome the president of the Oxford University Centre of Migration, Policy and Society, Frank Duvell, Islamophobia expert Julian Hargreaves from the Cambridge University Centre of Islamic Studies and journalist-author Nicole Pepe as speakers.

The conference that will focus on certain questions - such as "What are the basic features of Islamophobia?" "Why do Muslim youth living in Europe join the terrorist organization ISIS?" and "How can we establish a culture of understanding and peace between different religions and cultures?" - aims to promote Turkey academically as well as addressing and correcting wrong perceptions about Turkey in the world. The event will take place in order to evaluate the perception of Turkey in Europe and the integration efforts and difficulties of Turkish societies in Europe through "Cultural Diplomacy. Additionally, Islamophobia, which is on the rise in Europe and the U.K., will be discussed thoroughly in the conference.