The Hollings Center for International Dialogue is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the United States and countries with predominantly Muslim populations.
Our History
The Hollings Center’s identity is intricately tied to a history that is both distinctive and purposeful. The Center was born out of two fundamental objectives, which have shaped its mission and operations since its inception. The first objective was to create a platform that would bridge the gap between the United States and the predominantly Muslim world, particularly in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. This period marked a critical need for dialogue and mutual understanding, as global tensions and misconceptions were at an all-time high. The Hollings Center sought to open and strengthen networks, facilitating communication and collaboration across cultural and national boundaries.
The second objective was equally significant: the preservation of Palazzo Corpi, a historic building that served as the former U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, Türkiye. This landmark, rich with cultural and diplomatic history, became a symbol of the Center’s commitment to fostering connections not only through dialogue but also through the preservation of shared heritage.
In 2004, recognizing the importance of these goals, the U.S. Congress established the Hollings Center as a non-governmental organization. Congress specifically charged the Center with the task of “developing programs of cooperative study, training, and research for students and scholars to exchange views and ideas” between the United States and the Muslim world. The Center officially began its programming in May 2005.
While the organization’s official title is the International Center for Middle Eastern-Western Dialogue, it is more commonly referred to as the Hollings Center. This name honors Senator Ernest F. Hollings of South Carolina, whose unwavering dedication was instrumental in the Center’s creation. Senator Hollings, who retired in 2005 after an illustrious 39-year career in the U.S. Senate, left behind a legacy of public service that continues to inspire the Center’s work.
Today, the Hollings Center operates as a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization in the United States and is registered as a foreign non-profit organization in Türkiye. The Center maintains offices in both Istanbul and Washington, D.C., where it continues to fulfill its mission of fostering dialogue, understanding, and cooperation between the United States and the Muslim world. Through its programs, the Hollings Center remains a vital conduit for the exchange of ideas, helping to build a more connected and informed global community.
The Palazzo Corpi
Congress specifically designated that the Center would occupy the Palazzo Corpi. Located in Istanbul’s historic Beyoğlu neighborhood, the Palazzo Corpi housed the official U.S presence in Istanbul until 2003.
The Palazzo Corpi remains one of the oldest diplomatic properties owned by the American people. It served as a center for diplomacy and dialogue for over a century. And, the Hollings Center was created in part to ensure that the historic Palazzo would remain part of the United States’ international heritage.
Our Programs
In pursuit of this mission, the Hollings Center convenes multiple programs that generate new thinking on important international issues. These programs deepen channels of communication across opinion leaders and experts. Since starting operations in 2005, the Center has hosted dozens of dialogue conferences with representatives from around the globe. To amplify the outcomes of these dialogues, the Center created additional programs, including small grants, public events, videos, podcasts, and networking events.
Our People
We would not be who we are without the participants and staff that make the Center’s programs possible. In over 60 dialogue conferences since 2005, the Center has hosted over 1,300 participants. Participants have represented over 65 countries and 38 U.S. states and territories.
Hollings Center dialogues take a unique approach by convening a diverse mix of academics, journalists, civil society leaders, business people and government officials. This provides unique perspective and insight to important challenges.
With its follow-on programs, the Center has amplified the impact of dialogue programs significantly.