I.P.R.A. 50th World Congress

ISTANBUL - Turkish Culture & Tourism Minister Atilla Koc has indicated today that ''at a time when cultures and civilizations are pulled towards a clash, it is time to utilize communication's power as a bridge.''
In his opening remarks at the IPRA (International Public Relations Association) 50th World Congress Koc said: ''The Turkish communication sector is one of the most active and productive sectors in the world. Turkish experts follow developments and do contribute to the sector,'' remarked Koc.
''Turkey has a very unique character. We are at the cross roads of different cultures, civilizations, perceptions and understanding. Istanbul, where we are organizing the IPRA Congress, has become a train station of peace,'' told Koc.
On the other hand, IPRA 2005 President Charles Van der Straten Waillet has remarked that the Congress will look back at the progress made in ''our profession throughout the world in the past half-century.''
Waillet pointed out that 2 of the former 40 IPRA presidents were Turkish.
The final document of the IPRA Congress will be called ''Istanbul declaration.''
Close to 400 scholars and intellectuals from 51 countries worldwide are participating in the IPRA Congress. The IPRA Congress will end tomorrow.