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 the leadership of ATAA President Gӧkhan Özalp (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.
ATAA UN Relations Committee (2024-2025)
Executive Officers
ATAA UN Relations Committee (2024-2025)
Members
ATAA UN Relations Committee Youth Forum
Members
UN Partner Organizations
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
- May 3, 2025 | UN Committee Presentation at the ATAA 2025 Annual Conference
- June 9-13 | World Ocean Conference- Nice, France
- October 12, 2025 | World Food Day – Turkish Gastronomy
- November 16, 2025 | World Science Day for Peace and Development
- December 5, 2025 | Turkish Coffee Day
- TBD-2026 | World Turkish Language Day Conference
- ATAA Tree Planting Campaign
Past Events & Projects
- April 27, 2025 | Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace [Video]
- March 9, 2025 | Gender Empowerment and Equality | [Video]
- February 23, 2025 | Why I am Speaking Turkish [Video]
- January 25, 2025 | Compulsory Peace Education Through ICT
- November 24-26, 2024 | “TCS Film Festival“
- November 17, 2024 | World Science Day for Peace and Development (Nov 10) [Video]
- October 6, 2024 | World Food Day (Oct 16) [Video]
- October 5, 2024 | Inaugural Event: Compulsory Peace Education & ICTs from Kindergarten to K12 and Beyond
- September 11, 2024 | World Food Day Photo Competition (Submission deadline: September 11, 2024)
- September 7, 2024 | Sustainability Seminar – Climate Change, Air Quality and Health
- June 9, 2024 | World Ocean Day, (Jun 8) [Video]
- May 11, 2024 | The Splendor of Istanbul: A Journey Through Time and Tradition [Video]
- May 8, 2024 | Water Security: The Need for Diversity of Supply [info] (Hosted by Turkish Canadian Society)
- April 28, 2024 | Prosperous Future For All Through Multilateral Dialogue [Video]
- April 23 2024 | April 23rd National Sovereignty and Children’s Day & UNESCO World Art Day Painting Contest [info]
- 23 Nisan 2024 | 23 Nisan Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı ve UNESCO Dünya Sanat Günü Resim Yarışması [info]
- March 10, 2024 | Describing Women in a Drop of Water [Video]
- February 25, 2024 | Mother Language as the Second Language [Video]
- November 19, 2023 | Panel Discussion on World Science Day for Peace and Development [Video]
- June 1, 2023 | World Environment Day (June 5)
- May 5 -December 10, 2023 | “Turks in Action for Sustainable Future” Webinar Series
- April 16, 2023 | April 24, International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace [Video]
- April 16, 2023 | World Day of Safety and Health Day (April 28)
- April 5-8, 2023 | ATAA UN STEM Program Fundraising
- March 23, 2023 | ATAA Side Event at the 2023 UN Water Conference [Photo Album]
- March 21, 2023 | Speech by Alev Wieland, Co-Chair & ATAA Southwest Region VP, at LM’s One-Minute Water Action Commitment Series [Video]
- March 21, 2023 | Speech by Fatma Aldas, VP, TWLA at LM’s One-Minute Water Action Commitment Series [Video]
- March 12, 2023 | International Women’s Day (March 8) [Video]
- November 13, 2022 | Atatürk’s Legacy on Science and Peace: Perspectives of Turkish American Youth [Video]
- September 25, 2022 | ATAA Virtual Event: UN International Day of Peace Celebration [Video]
- June 5, 2022 | The Ecosystem Restoration: Reimagine, Recreate, Restore [Video]
- May 29, 2022 | Cultural Diplomacy Through Coffee, Culture & Art [Video]
- February 21, 2022 | International Mother Language Day (Video: Part 1 in Turkish, Part 2 in English]
- February 20, 2022 | Learning Turkish and Turkic Languages on Digital Environment in the United States [Video]
- November 21, 2021 | Violence Against Women: Fund, Prevent, Respond! [Video]
- November 10, 2021 | World Science Day for Peace and Development [Video]
- September 12, 2021 | Downfall of Democracy- Covid-19 & Natural Disasters: Visions toward Solutions [Video)
- June 6, 2021 | ATAA Virtual Event: 2021 World Environment Day Celebration [Video]
- May 23, 2021 | Cultural Diversity: A Source of Resilience in the Turkish Communities and Beyond [Video]
- March 7, 2021 | The Impact of Turkish Women in the US [Video)
- November 7, 2020 | ATAA Science with and for Society Webinar [Video)
- October 18, 2020 | Let’s Celebrate Turkey’s 75th Anniversary at the UN [Video)
- September 13, 2020 | Informative Meeting on ATAA’s Association with the UN [Video]
In the News
- UNDGCCSO Weekly Announcement, November 13, 2023
Announcements
Fostering Peaceful Dialogue
Program's objective is to educate community, engage experts and youth in a dialog about historical events, to foster peaceful solutions and practices to promote peaceful behavior within community.
Gender Empowerment and Equality
This program’s objective is the empowerment and equality of the next generation youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls for lasting change.
Why I am Speaking Turkish
This program highlights the history of Turkish language and dialects. Turkish is very similar to other Turkic languages like Azerbaijani, Turkmen, Uzbek, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz, as they all belong to the same Altaic language family and share significant similarities in grammar and vocabulary.
Compulsory Peace Education Through ICTs
Join us for the fourth session–virtual–of the groundbreaking initiative through international participation, “Compulsory Peace Education and Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) from Kindergarten to K-12, and Beyond” (CPE-ICTs-K12)
Cultivating a Culture of Peace and Development
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.
Çeşme-Hatay Mastic Tree Bridge Project
This year, as Türkiye celebrates the 101st anniversary of the Republic, we invite you to leave your mark on a campaign that honors the past while shaping the future—an opportunity to help build a greener, more sustainable world for [...]
Footprints of Turkish Cuisine – A Journey from Traditional to Sustainable Future
ATAA UN Related Announcement# 32 In Support of “World Food Day [FAO] (A/RES/35/70) (Oct. 16)” Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) Empowering the Turkish American Community (ETAC-USA), and American Turkish Association of North Carolina (ATA-NC) Present a Webinar on [...]
World Food Day Photo Competition for Children
ATAA and ETAC-USA are organizing a photo contest for children to celebrate World Food Day. Submission deadline: September 11, 2024.
The Blue Planet: Conscious and Sustainable Steps for the Oceans
On June 9, 2024, The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) will hold a virtual event titled “The Blue Planet: Conscious and Sustainable Steps for the Oceans” in support of World Oceans Day.
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.
Invitation to Participate in Panel Discussion on World Science for Peace and Development
ATAA United Nations Committee is inviting Turkish-American students from middle and high schools to prepare and present points of discussions on important issues that help maintain Peace and Development using Türkiye as the example country.
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 International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace Webinar
ATAA UN Related Announcement# 20 ATAA UN International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace Webinar Peace in the World starts at Home, Sustained with Effective Diplomacy, Through Facts and Mutual Respect The Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), [...]
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)
Atatürk’s Legacy on Science and Peace: Perspectives of Turkish American Youth!
Atatürk's Legacy on Science and Peace Perspectives of Turkish American Youth! Webinar in commemoration of the 84th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s passing,
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
Cultural Diplomacy Through Coffee, Culture and Art
Cultural Diplomacy Through Coffee, Culture & Art Keynote Speaker Gizem Şalcıgil White Guest Artists Hasan Kale & Atilla Can Sunday, May 29, 2022.
Learning Turkish and Turkic Languages on Digital Environment in the US
International Mother Language Day was established by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 to celebrate languages...
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 Youth Competition for “World Science Day for Peace and Development Day”
UN Related Announcement In support of United Nations (UN) “World Science Day for Peace and Development”, Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) ), formally associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), is pleased to announce its “2021 [...]
Downfall of Democracy–COVID-19 & Natural Disasters: Visions toward Solutions
Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) and The Light Millennium, Charitable Global Human Advancement Organization (LM), associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications, and Turkish Anti-Defamation Alliance (TADA) proudly co-present:
Downfall of Democracy – COVID-19 & Natural Disasters: Visions toward Solutions
In support of the International Day of Democracy, ATAA and ATAA Committee on UN Relations proud to present a webinar on the "Downfall of Democracy - COVID-19 & Natural Disasters:Visions Toward Solutions" on Sunday, September 12, 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 Virtual Event – Cultural Diversity: A Source of Resilience in the Turkish Communities and Beyond
In support of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, Assembly of Turkish American Associations and North American Turkish organizations host webinar on the “Cultural Diversity: A Source of Resilience in the Turkish Communities and Beyond” on May 23, 2021.
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
- United Nations Information Centers
- Communications materials – United Nations Sustainable Development
- UN Civil Society
- Subscribe to Civil Society Announcements and E-mails | United Nations
- Civil Society Spotlights on COVID-19
- UN 2023 Water Conference
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