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UN Relations

ATAA and the UN Sustainable Development Goals — ATAA UN Relations Sustainable Programs

ATAA’s Commitment to the Water Action Decade

IdentifyRecruitCollaborateImplementResult

Good Health and Well‑Being

Healthy Body & Mind — we are committed to:

  • Inform
  • Educate
  • Promote well-being

Quality Education

Today’s youth, tomorrow’s leaders — we are committed to:

  • Education
  • Language education
  • STEM programs
  • Scholarship

Gender Equality

Embrace gender equality — we are committed to:

  • Equal rights
  • Equal education
  • Workplace diversity
  • Youth Forum
  • Mentorship program

Clean Water and Sanitation

Turks in Action Now for Water in Future — we are committed to:

  • Educate
  • Create awareness
  • Get actionable commitments
  • Track performance

Responsible Consumption and Production

Responsible purchasing, waste reduction, recycling — we are committed to:

  • Reduce plastic use
  • Reduce harmful chemical use
  • Recycle

Life Below Water

AVSA Project — work continued by Ela Gökçiğdem.

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

Gökhan Özalp

Gökhan Özalp

ATAA Former President (2020-23)

Bircan Ünver

Bircan Ünver

First Chairperson

ATAA UN Relations Committee

Executive Officers

Alev Wieland

Alev Wieland

ATAA President

Yücel Burdurlu

Yücel Burdurlu

ATAA Secretary, UN Committee Co-Chair, Membership Committee Chair

Dr. Selim Erhan

Dr. Selim Erhan

ATAA UN Committee Co-Chair, Board of Trustees Member

Sean Özalpaşan

Sean Özalpaşan

ATAA UN Youth Representative

Members

Burcu Tansu

Burcu Tansu

ATAA Western Region Former VP

Nilgün Özsoy

Nilgün Özsoy

Indiana-American Turkish Association Past President

Dr. Fatma Gül

Dr. Fatma Gül

Contemporary Education Foundation President

Canan Özaktay

Canan Özaktay

ATAA Southeast Region VP

Gizem Kılıç

Gizem Kılıç

PhD student, Cornell University

Gizem Şalcıgil White

Gizem Şalcıgil White

Coffee Wellnesspreneur / Founder at Turkish Coffee Lady

Tuğçe Arıt

Tuğçe Arıt

Legal Assistant

Ebru Çetin Milci

Ebru Çetin Milci

Scholar & Library Specialist

ATAA UN Relations Committee Youth Forum

Burcu Alapala

Burcu Alapala

Serkan Gomez

Serkan Gomez

Bora Gündoğan

Bora Gündoğan

Ela Gӧkçiğdem

Ela Gӧkçiğdem

Bengisu Kara

Bengisu Kara

Sanem Kara

Sanem Kara

Arda Keskin

Arda Keskin

Yasemin Knott

Yasemin Knott

Sinemis Kobaner

Sinemis Kobaner

Levent Ozaktay

Levent Ozaktay

Alya Rana

Alya Rana

Ezgi Satıroğlu

Ezgi Satıroğlu

Ceyda Ural

Ceyda Ural

Arden Van Winkle

Arden Van Winkle

Ece Yenigün

Ece Yenigün

UN Partner Organizations

Hülya Koç

Hülya Koç

ETAC-USA Co-Founder & Co-President

Berna Gürdal

Berna Gürdal

TWLA President

Fatma Aldaş

Fatma Aldaş

TWLA Past VP

Esra Doğru

Esra Doğru

TWLA Vice President

Bircan Ünver

Bircan Ünver

The Light Millennium Founder

Deniz T. Conger

Deniz T. Conger

Bridge to Türkiye Fund Executive Director

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
Helpful Links

For inquiries or questions please emailpresident@ataa.org (Alev Wieland) orsecretary@ataa.org (Yucel Burdurlu) orassembly@ataa.org.
Website: www.ataa.org | www.ataa.org/u-n

References: The 17 Goals ·ATAA Becomes Associate Member of the UN-DGC

Events and Projects

Upcoming Events & Projects

  • November 8, 2026 | World Science Day for Peace and Development (Nov 21st)
  • December 5, 2026 | Turkish Coffee and Culture Day
  • December 15, 2026 | World Turkish Language Day Conference
  • 2026 Fundraising STEAM Program to support Youth Programs

Past Events & Projects

In the News

Announcements

All news →

Press Release · March 22, 2026

Gülseren Budayıcıoğlu ile Söyleşi: Göçmen Kadınların Dönüşüm Yolculuğu

Göç yalnızca bir yer değiştirme değil; kimliklerin, ilişkilerin ve yaşam hikâyelerinin yeniden şekillenmesidir. Bu söyleşide psikiyatrist ve yazar Gülseren Budayıcıoğlu ile göçmen kadınların yaşamlarında sıkça görülen kuşaklar arası aktarımlar, travma, kimlik çatışmaları ve güçlenme süreçlerini kade

UN · February 19, 2026

Power of Mother Language and Multilingualism

This event aims to explore the power of the mother tongue in shaping individual identity, academic achievement, and cultural continuity through a multi-voiced perspective ranging from children and youth to academics and parents.

UN · January 25, 2026

Legal Rights of Immigrants in the U.S. and the Challenges They Face

On February 1, 2026, Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), Akcok Law Office held a virtual event titled “The Legal Rights of Immigrants in the U.S. and the Challenges They Face” in support of (18 December) International Migrants Day (A/RES/55/93).

UN · November 13, 2025

Celebrating December 15 World Turkic Language Family Day

World Turkic Language Family Day, proclaimed by UNESCO on December 15, is an important observance that celebrates the deep-rooted history, linguistic unity, and cultural connections among Turkic languages and the communities that speak them.

UN · November 11, 2025

Inspiring Change: Young Minds, Global Goals

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.

UN · April 3, 2025

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.

UN · February 28, 2025

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.

Press Release · January 27, 2025

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.

UN · January 21, 2025

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)

Event · November 12, 2024

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.

UN · October 20, 2024

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 generations to come. Together with the Bridge to Türkiye Fund (BTF),

UN · September 20, 2024

Footprints of Turkish Cuisine - A Journey from Traditional to Sustainable Future

ATAA UN Related Announcement# 32 In Support of “World Food Day (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 Footprints of Turkish Cuisin

UN · May 3, 2024

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'.

UN · April 26, 2024

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'.

UN · February 22, 2024

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)”

UN · February 1, 2024

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”

UN · November 10, 2023

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 Scienc

UN · June 14, 2023

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.

UN · June 2, 2023

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 that safeguard the environment, we can wor

UN · April 11, 2023

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), formally associated with the Uni

UN · April 4, 2023

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.

UN · March 14, 2023

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.

UN · February 28, 2023

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.

UN · February 26, 2023

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.

Press Release · January 20, 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)

UN · October 4, 2022

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.

Press Release · September 23, 2022

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 Communications, and Turkish-Canadi

UN · May 28, 2022

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

Press Release · November 26, 2021

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.

Press Release · November 12, 2021

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.

Press Release · June 3, 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 Ameri

Press Release · April 1, 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.

Press Release · February 19, 2021

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.

Event · October 12, 2020

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

UN · September 15, 2020

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)