Leading US think-tank to honor Davutoglu with award

A prominent US think-tank has decided to honor Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu with an award. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the US Smithsonian Institution decided to present Davutoglu the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service. The think-tank will also present the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship to Ferit Sahenk, the chairman of Turkey's Dogus Holding. Davutoglu and Sahenk will receive their awards at a ceremony in Turkey on June 17. This will be the first time two Turkish dignitaries will receive the Woodrow Wilson Awards, as well Turkey's first time hosting the awards ceremony. The Woodrow Wilson Awards recognize leaders in government, business, science, the arts, and beyond who have embraced openness, dialogue, and service in confronting the issues of their day on the local, national, and international levels. "These two leaders personify the attributes we seek to honor at the Woodrow Wilson Center," Lee H. Hamilton, president and director of the Woodrow Wilson Center, said. Hamilton said their contributions had been numerous and significant, and it gave him great pleasure that the Board of Trustees had chosen to recognize such worthy honorees. The center said Davutoglu had catalyzed the development of Turkey's foreign relations, elevating its position in international discussions since becoming foreign minister. "He has advocated strengthening relations with Turkey's hinterland, increasing its importance in the region and throughout the world. Combined with a keen understanding of the importance of embracing Eastern and Western traditions, his achievements as foreign minister have earned him considerable reputation," the center said. It also said Ferit Sahenk made Dogus Holding one of Turkey's most successful conglomerates. "Known as an innovative business leader, he has been at the forefront of bringing modern business practices and management styles to Turkey," it said. The center said Sahenk had introduced new concepts to Turkey's financial markets such as insurance, leasing, and credit card cash-back bonuses and had been a strong proponent of foreign investment in Turkey.