ATAA UN Commitments | Events | Announcements | In the News

On July 14, 2020,  Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) “Association” with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN-DGC) was approved and ATAA Committee on UN Relations was formed. Under leadership of Gӧkhan Özalp, the ATAA Past President (2020-2022) and with assistance of Bircan Ünver the Founder-President of the Light Millennium, a Charitable Global Human Advancement Organization (LMGlobal.Org) ATAA-UN Association was established.

Gökhan Özalp
ATAA Former President (2020-23)

Bircan Ünver
First Chairperson

ATAA UN Relations Committee (2024-2025)

Executive Officers

Dr. Nilüfer Esen-Bilgin
ATAA President

Alev Wieland
ATAA President Elect &  UN Committee Co-Chair

Yücel B. Tavolara
UN Committee Co-Chair  & Membership Committee Chair

Saime Atakan-Kasım
Youth Representative

ATAA UN Relations Committee (2024-2025)

Members

Dr. Selim Erhan
ATAA Board of Trustees Member

Dr. Levent Onat
ATAA Southeast Region Past VP

Burcu Tansu
ATAA Western Region Past VP

Demet Edeer
Turkish-Canadian Society Member

Nilgün Özsoy
Indiana-American Turkish Association Past President

Zuhal Kavak
Turkish-Canadian Society President

Dr. Fatma Gül
Contemporary Education Foundation President

Canan Özaktay
ATAA Southeast Region VP

Gizem Kılıç
PhD student, Cornell University

ATAA UN Relations Committee Youth Forum

Members

Ela Gӧkçiğdem

Burcu Alapala

Canan Bulut

Bengisu Kara

Ceyda Ural

Sanem Kara

Ezgi Satıroğlu

Ece Yenigün

Yasemin Knott

Arden Ege Van Winkle

Selin Gürdikyan

Alin Gürdikyan

Lara Gürdikyan

Arda Keskin

M. Bora Gündoğan

Alya Rana

UN Partner Organizations

Hülya Koç
ETAC-USA Co-Founder & Co-President

Atiye Bayman
ETAC-USA Co-President

Nağme Uçar Erberk
ETAC-USA Vice-President

Şaduman Gloria Güzel
ETAC-USA UN Volunteer

Berna Gürdal
TWLA President

Fatma Aldaş
TWLA Past VP

Esra Doğru
TWLA Vice President

Bircan Ünver
The Light Millennium Founder

ATAA – UN Commitments

Background

July 14, 2020, Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) “Association” with United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN-DGC) was approved and ATAA Committee on UN Relations was formed.

UN Expectations

Join the global effort to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, promote and defend human rights, and promote peace and security.

  • Follow the guidelines on the appropriate use of the SDGs visual material
  • CSO is entitled to receive six grounds passes each year to enter United Nations Headquarters in New York. (subject to change due to COVID)
  • CSO Representatives are invited to attend the Thematic Briefings organized by the Civil Society Unit in DGC, featuring United Nations officials, government officials and other experts from the civil society community.
  • Every two years CSO organization is requested to submit a compulsory “Biennial Review,”. Biennial Review is required to further designate representatives from your organization to DGC.

ATAA Expectations

Purpose of the ATAA Committee on UN Relations is to identify and implement UN Projects within ATAA collectively with the Associate Organizations.   Be the liaison between ATAA – UN-DGC relations and take an active part in promoting our projects and issues that concern Turkish Americans in UN-DGC.

Vision

  • Engage with the United Nations, on issues of global concern and in line with UN priorities.
  • Empowered as the voice of Turkish American and Turkish Canadian Associations in the UN
  • Communicate, educate, and find solutions to the problems impacting our community and sustain.

Mission

  • Identify inspiring projects to implement that relative to our community members from 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Get Turkish American Communities engaged in the projects identified
  • Identify and collaborate with other CSO organizations within UN
  • Utilize Zoom Webinar Technology for the projects

Core Values Committee Operates By

  • Mutual respect and trust
  • Listen each other with open mind
  • Don’t beat dead horse
  • Punctuality
  • Consensus decision making
  • We are accountable to each other
  • Transparency: avoid hidden agendas

Events

Upcoming Events & Projects

  • World Food Day Photo Competition | Submission deadline: August 9, 2024
  • August 12, 2024 | International Youth Day, (Aug 12)
  • September 7, 2024 | International Clean Air Day Preservation of the Ozone Layer, (Sept 16)
  • October 13, 2024 | World Food Day (Oct 16)
  • November 17, 2024 | World Science Day for Peace and Development (Nov 10)
  • TBD | Turkish Coffee & Culture Day, (Dec 5)
  • November 24-26, 2024  | “TCS Film Festival”
  • ATAA Tree Planting Campaign

 

Past Events & Projects

In the News

Announcements

World Food Day Photo Competition for Children

ATAA UN Related Announcement# 31 World Food Day Photo Competition for Children (Age Categories: 6-9 years old and 10-12 years old) Terms and Conditions The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) and Empowering the Turkish American Community (ETAC-USA), formally associated [...]

The Splendor of Istanbul: A Journey Through Time and Tradition

On April 28, 2024, Assembly of Turkish American Associations, Empowering the Turkish American Community, Turkish Women’s League of America, and Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan will hold a virtual event titled “Prosperous Future for All Through Multilateral Dialogue".

Prosperous Future for All Through Multilateral Dialogue

On April 28, 2024, Assembly of Turkish American Associations, Empowering the Turkish American Community, Turkish Women’s League of America, and Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan will hold a virtual event titled “Prosperous Future for All Through Multilateral Dialogue".

Describing Women in a Drop of Water

On March 10, 2024, The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), will hold a virtual event titled “Describing Women in a Drop of Water (Bir su damlasında kadını anlatmak)”

Mother Language as the Second Language

On February 25, 2024, The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), and Turkish Women League of America (TWLA), formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), will hold a virtual event titled “Mother Language as the Second Language”

Panel Discussion on World Science Day for Peace and Development

On November 19, 2023, ATAA, formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), will hold a virtual event titled “World Science Day for Peace and Development” in commemoration of the 85th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s passing and in support of World Science Day, UNESCO 31/C Res. 20 | 10 November.

ATAA Tree Planting Campaign

We can all act now to improve urban canopy by planting trees locally in our homes and communities, nationally in North America, and Türkiye.

Contribute and Become an Essential Part of the Solution

ATAA UN Related Announcement# 22 World Environment Day serves as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to protect and preserve our planet. By making sustainable choices in our daily lives, promoting eco-friendly practices, and advocating for policies [...]

ATAA UN World Day for Safety and Health at Work

ATAA, formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), presenting an article written by an expert member of its community in support of the UN World Day of Safety and Health at Work 28 April. 

ATAA-UN STEM Program Fundraising

ATAA is raising funds to enable 12 students and 2 teachers of EMONER Robotics School for the First World Robotics Competition taking place in New York City.

Turks in Action Now for Water in Future

“Turks in Action Now for Water in Future”, March 23, 2023, Türk Evi Center, NY Organized by the ATAA in support of the #UN2023WaterConference.

ATAA 2023 International Women’s Day Webinar

In support of the International Women's Day (March 8), The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) presents "ATAA 2023 International Women’s Day Webinar" on March 12, 2023.

ATAA UN 2023 Water Conference Proposal

ATAA UN 2023 Water Conference Proposal in support of the #UN2023WaterConference and in connection with the INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE THEME 5 – Water Action Decade (2018 – 2028)

ATAA 2022 Youth Competition

ATAA United Nations Committee is again happy to present another opportunity to young Turkish-Americans to prepare and present a program that will help them get involved in global affairs, learn how to prepare a high-quality program, and learn how to efficiently work in teams.

Virtual Event: UN International Day of Peace Celebration

Virtual Event in Support of  “UN International Day of Peace, 21 September” UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE CELEBRATION SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 Jointly organized by the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), associated with the United Nations Department of Global [...]

The Ecosystem Restoration: Reimagine, Recreate, Restore

Nature is definitely sending us warning signs. Fires, floods, droughts and superstorms are happening more frequently and posing danger to life and property around the globe. Melting ice caps and warming oceans are destroying coral ecosystems

ATAA Supports 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

On Sunday, November 21, 2021, ATAA hosted a webinar titled, “Violence Against Women: Fund, Prevent, Respond”, in support of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.

Violence Against Women: Fund, Prevent, Respond!

In support of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Sustainable Development Goal#5: Gender Equality, ATAA and the ATAA Committee on UN Relations proud to present a webinar on "Violence against Women: Fund, Prevent, Respond!" on November 21, 2021.

ATAA Virtual Event – 2021 World Environment Day Celebration

In support of United Nations (UN) World Environment Day, the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) Committee on UN Relations is excited to announce its first-ever “The 2021 World Environment Day Science Project Competition” for the youth and students of Turkish American and Canadian American communities.

ATAA 2021 World Environment Day Science Project Competition

In support of United Nations (UN) World Environment Day, Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) is pleased to announce its first-ever “The 2021 World Environment Day Science Project Competition” for the youth and students of Turkish American and Canadian American communities.

The Impact of Turkish Women in the US

Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) and ATAA Committee on UN Relations proudly present a webinar on "The Impact of Turkish Women in the United States" in support of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)5: Gender Equality on Sunday March, 7, 2021.

ATAA “Toplum ile Toplum için Bilim” Webinarı

ATAA UN Related Announcements #5 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’ün (10 Kasım 1938) aramızdan ayrılışının 82. Yıldönümü Anısına ve UNESCO’nun 31 C/20 no’lu Kararnamesi çerçevesinde; BARIŞ VE GELİŞME İÇİN DÜNYA BİLİM GÜNÜ (10 Kasım) ve Uluslararası Bilim Haftasına katkı amacıyla; Webinarı'nı Birleşmiş [...]

ATAA Webinar – Science with and for Society

ATAA UN Related Announcements #5 Assembly of Turkish American Associations & The Light Millennium, associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications, proudly present: In Commemoration of the 82nd anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's passing, and in support of [...]

ATAA Celebrates Turkey’s 75th Anniversary at the United Nations

On October 18, the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), in collaboration with Atatürk Society of America and The Light Millennium Organization, hosted a webinar titled “Let’s Join in the World’s Largest Conversation #UN75, and Celebrate Turkey’s 75th Anniversary at [...]

ATAA Webinar – Let’s Celebrate Turkey’s 75th Anniversary at the UN

In support of the President of the UN General Assembly's 75th Session, Assembly of Turkish American Associations, Atatürk Society of America and The Light Millennium present a webinar titled “Let's join in the world's largest conversation #un75, and celebrate Turkey's 75th anniversary at the UN” on October 18, 2020.

ATAA Celebrates UN International Day of Peace

September 21, 2020  | Virginia-  On the UN International Day of Peace, the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) calls upon the nations and international communities to respect a cessation of hostilities and make their best efforts to find a [...]

Informative Meeting on ATAA’s Association with the UN

On September 13, 2020, the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) celebrated its association with the UN-DGC during a webinar titled “An Informative Meeting on ATAA’s Association with the UN Department of Global Communications” (UN-DGC)

ATAA is Proud to Announce Its Association with the UN-DGC

July 18, 2020 | Arlington, VA  - With the full support of its members and member organizations, the Board of Directors of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) unanimously decided to start the “Association” process with the United Nations [...]

ATAA Becomes Associate Member of the UN-DGC

With the full support of its members and member organizations, the Board of Directors of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) unanimously decided to start the “Association” process with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN-DGC) on March [...]

Helpful Links

For inquire or question please email to: southwestvp@ataa.org (Alev Wieland) or midwestvp@ataa.org (Yucel Burdurlu) or  assembly@ataa.org. Website: www.ataa.org | www.ataa.org/u-n References: The 17 Goals ATAA  Becomes associate member of the UNDGC