Atatürk’s Legacy on Science and Peace
Perspectives of Turkish American Youth!
In commemoration of the 84th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s passing, and
in support of the World Science Day for Peace and Development (UNESCO 31 C/Resolution 20) (10 November)
Sunday, November 13, 2022
1:00PM-2:30PM EST, 12:00PM-1:30PM CST, 10:00AM-11:30AM PST, 21:00-22:30 TR
Online Registration:
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Cyv57Uc6R5KFpFqq4FrPwg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Language: English
On November 13, 2022, at 1:00pm EST, the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), will hold a virtual event titled “ATAA 2022 Youth Competition for United Nations World Science Day for Peace and Development, 10 November” in commemoration of the 84th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s passing and in support of World Science Day, UNESCO 31/C Res. 20 | 10 November.
Background
Celebrated every November 10, World Science Day for Peace and Development highlights the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives.
By linking science more closely with society, World Science Day for Peace and Development aims to ensure that citizens are kept informed of developments in science. It also underscores the role scientists play in broadening our understanding of the remarkable, fragile planet we call home and in making our societies more sustainable.
The Day offers the opportunity to mobilize all actors around the topic of science for peace and development – from government officials to the media to school pupils. UNESCO strongly encourages all to join in celebrating World Science Day for Peace and Development by organizing your own event or activity on the day.
‘The applications of basic sciences are vital for advances in medicine, industry, agriculture, water resources, energy planning, environment, communications and culture’, affirmed the United Nations General Assembly on 2 December 2021, when it endorsed the proposal for an International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. World Science Day is contributing to the Year in 2022 by celebrating this theme.
Turkish youth inspired by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first President of the Republic of Turkey, to maintain peace at home and wherever they live in the world. They are also committed to proactively getting involved in sustainability programs within their means. November 10 is also the 84th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s passing. Turkish Youth remembers Atatürk and dedicates this program to all the young people in the world.
Program
Opening Remarks by
Dr. Levent Onat, ATAA UN Committee Co-Chair and ATAA Southeast Region VP
ATAA 2022 Youth Competition Winner Presentation
Program and Process Overview by
Dr. Selim Erhan, Member of the ATAA Board of Trustees
“Yurtta Sulh, Cihanda Sulh” Presentation by
Sean Ozalpasan, ATAA 2022 Youth Competition Winner
“ATADC Young Cultural Ambassadors Program” by
Mina Aydın, ATADC Young Cultural Ambassadors Program Coordinator
“ATAA & TACAM Youth Program”
Introduction by Mehmet Efe Tascioglu, ATAA Youth Committee Chair
“Turks Without Borders” by
Emir Tali, William Mason High School, Ohio, and Ebru Serce, Issaquah High School, WA
“TACAM High School Chapter” by
Ilayda Yeni, TACAM High School Chapter President
Closing Remarks by
Yucel Burdurlu, ATAA Midwest Region Vice President
ATAA 2022 Youth Competition Winner Presentation
ATAA 2022 Youth Competition Winner Sean Özalpasan is a 10th grader who goes to Harvard Westlake School in Los Angeles, California. Sean is a proud member of the Turkish American community and takes pride in participating in Association of Turkish Americans of Southern California (ATASC) events in Los Angeles, California. Sean enjoys taking deep dives into robotics, computers, finance, and other extracurricular activities. Sean also enjoys learning and speaking Spanish. Sean does volleyball and sailing for sports and has stayed active all through his life. Furthermore, Sean enjoys traveling, and whenever he and his family go to Turkey, they make sure to visit UNESCO-recognized ancient historical sites as well as important hallmarks of Ataturk’s legacy in Turkey. This year, Sean wanted to join the ATAA 2022 Youth Competition because he wanted to try and educate more people about the contributions of Ataturk to the modern Turkish Republic.
Biographies
 Mina Aydin |
 Ebru Serce |
 Emir Tali |
 Mehmet Tascioglu |
 Ilayda Yeni |
Mina Aydın is a first-generation Turkish-American high school senior who lives in the Washington D.C. area. She attended a bilingual Spanish immersion school during her elementary years, which opened her eyes to many cultures and allowed her to pursue her love for learning foreign languages. She currently attends Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, VA. Mina first became involved with the American-Turkish Association of DC’s Young Cultural Ambassadors Program in 2020 because she wanted to build bridges between Turkish-Americans and those of other cultures in the DC area, and has served as the program’s coordinator for the past three years. Mina hopes to pursue a career in international law or diplomacy. During her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants, reading books, listening to music, and watching soccer.
Ebru Serce is an 11th grade student at Issaquah High School in Issaquah, WA.
Emir Tali is a junior at William Mason High School in Ohio. He is interested in economics, international relations, and renewable energy. Emir’s activities and societies are Science Fair, Model United Nations, Global Language Initiative, and Spanish National Honor Society. Some of Emir’s accomplishments are: the STEM Commercialization Plan $10,000 Scholarship by Believe in Ohio in July 2021; the Outstanding Delegate Award by the University of Chicago in April 2021; and the Outstanding Delegate Award by Yale University in January 2021.
Mehmet Tascioglu is a rising freshman at Stanford University. He founded Connect Me to support students in maintaining their academic success after witnessing systemic educational inequality firsthand. He also runs his own educational YouTube channel called Academic Games Tips, Tricks and Tutorials, which showcases his teaching and mentoring skills. Other extracurricular activities include training as a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo, serving as a HOSA Event Leader, serving as President of the NHS Ping-Pong Club, President of the Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan’s Youth Chapter, and President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations Youth Committee. During his free time, Mehmet likes to read up on healthcare & politics, hang out with his friends, and watch movies.
Ilayda Yeni is a junior at Stevenson High School. She served for two years as the treasurer for the TACAM High School Chapter (THSC) on the previous board and is currently serving as the president of THSC. She enjoys acting and is in the school theater, and she plays the piano as well.
Collaborating Organizations
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The virtual event has been organized in correlation with the ATAA UN Relations Committee with the collaboration and support of the American Turkish Association of Washington, DC (ATA-DC) and the Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM).
The American Turkish Association of Washington, DC (ATA-DC) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, all-volunteer organization, which was founded in 1965. ATA-DC is not affiliated with any government, political party or group. ATA-DC’s mission is to promote Turkish culture in the U.S. and build friendship between Turkish and American people as we foster a stronger Turkish American community in the Washington DC metro area through educational, social and cultural activities.
The Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM), founded in 1972, follows the philosophy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, who stated: “Culture is the foundation of the Turkish Republic.” His view of culture encompassed the nation’s creative legacy as well as the best values of world civilization. It stressed personal and universal humanism. “Culture,” he said, “is a basic element in being a person worthy of humanity,” and he described Turkey’s ideological thrust as “a creation of patriotism blended with a lofty humanist ideal.” Thus, TACAM wants to instill this philosophy into all Turkish-Americans living in Michigan. The purpose of this association (TACAM) is to foster, promote, plan, and execute programs aimed at improving the economic, social, educational, general welfare, and other humanitarian activities of the Turkish community in the State of Michigan and elsewhere.
For further inquiries, please e-mail uncommittee@ataa.org, southwestVP@ataa.org (Alev Wieland), or southeastVP@ataa.org (Levent Onat).
Website: www.ataa.org | www.ataa.org/u-n
References:
www.ataa.org/newsletter/ataa-becomes-associate-member-of-the-un-dgc
www.un.org/en/observances/world-science-day
atadc.org
tacam.org
#ScienceDay #10November #UNECSO #A_T_A_A #UNWithCivilSociety #UNDGC_CSO
