One of the most effective ways for a country to communicate and explain its ideas, both domestically and internationally, is through private foundations and think tanks.

These foundations, financed by an individual, a few people or by large groups, voice regional concerns to a wider audience and communicate ideas. They have an influence on powerful people and may change their outlook towards your country.

The Sabanci Foundation leads the way in foundations that promote Turkey both domestically and internationally, followed by the Koç Foundation. Others are mainly involved in local matters. In summary, the number of private Turkish foundations with an international presence is very few. On the other hand, the number of such foundations in the Western countries, especially in the United States, is in the hundreds.

I was very impressed with the scene I encountered when the Kokkolis Foundation invited me to Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School and that's why I am writing this article.

Socrates Kokkalis is a Greek who became rich during the telecommunication boom. He decided to spend a part of his wealth for this foundation. Since 1977 the foundation has been involved in sponsoring work that aims at bringing peace, democracy, mutual understanding and good governance to the Middle East.

The foundation grants a $50,000 scholarship to promising students. Four Turks have already benefited from it.

It supports educational programs and provides training and educational help to selected individuals from the region. Eleven Turks have benefited from this.

It holds conferences and asks people to debate the region's problems. It provides the opportunity for regional leaders and intellectuals to better understand each other. To date 30 Turks have been invited to these conferences. This group includes Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ilter Türkmen, Cem Duma, Nazmi Akiman, Egemen Bagis and Murat Mercan.

The foundation also asks independent groups to draft reports that are then distributed to important think tanks, universities and experts. They have completed 12 studies up until the present time, including once on Turkey's future foreign policy.

We are bystanders: I cited the Kokkalis Foundation's activities, thinking it may set an example for us. Maybe some rich businessmen would be interested and launch similar projects.

Kokkalis, with his impartiality, is doing a great service to Greece. His efforts are a tremendous boost to Greece's policies and opinions.

What the Kokkalis Foundation is doing is not lobbying. You may spend a lot of money to lobby for policies you favor, but you will never make an impression as effective as that of the Kokkalis Foundation. Moreover, the size and number of such foundations is higher in Greece and even in Cyprus than it is in Turkey.

Our wealthy need to change the way they spend their money, and we should stop complaining. We should just look around and play the game according to international rules.