On 6th February the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey held a conference on Public Diplomacy in Ankara. Turkey is one of many countries that is now prioritizing public diplomacy as a key element of diplomatic practice. Jan Melissen, Director of the Clingendael Diplomatic Studies Programme (CDSP) gave the following opening speech, titled 'Reflections on Public Diplomacy Today'. His lecture contains a brief overview of some of the key features of public diplomacy and Professor Melissen discusses some trends in the present debate on 'PD'.