Meeting in New York That Gained Attention from ATKB: Support for Education in Women's Leadership

In New York, the “Global Education and Diplomacy under Women’s Leadership” program organized in collaboration with the American Turkish Women’s Association and Istanbul Aydın University brought together the themes of education, women’s leadership, diplomacy, and cultural identity under one roof. During the event held in the conference hall of the New York Atatürk School, an academic scholarship support for young women was announced, while the future of Turkish youth living abroad and academic collaborations between Turkey and the United States were also discussed.

During the program followed on site by New York Post Representative Özlem Özgüt Yörekli, speaker Ece Yenigün—who is pursuing a master’s in Global Affairs at NYU and also serves as president of the NYU Global Affairs Student Association—joined Istanbul Aydın University President Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın. Advisor İrem Arman also contributed to the program’s academic content.

Program that brings together generations at New York Atatürk School

At the opening of the program held on September 26, attention was drawn to the long‑standing educational work of the New York Atatürk School. It was emphasized that, in addition to preserving the ties of children raised in the United States with the Turkish language and culture, it is also important to support young people in their educational journeys.

Before the program, while students and parents gathered, the National Anthem was read, followed by the recitation of Our Anthem led by students under the leadership of Maysa Gümüş.

Berna Gürdal emphasizes youth and education

Speaking on the program, Berna Gürdal, president of the American Turkish Women’s Association (ATKB), noted that the association and the New York Atatürk School have served Turkish society for many years, emphasizing the importance of preserving the ties of children growing up in the United States to the Turkish language and culture.

Emphasizing that education is not limited to young age groups, Gürdal said that young people also need support in their educational and career journeys. He noted that the program is carried out with this understanding, expressing a desire to stand by young people and continue to be with them on their journeys.

A figure that highlights women's representation at the UN from Ece Yenigün

In her speech, Ece Yenigün described her first experience following the United Nations General Assembly sessions from the balcony. Reviewing the first four‑day speaker list, she noted that only 14 of the 123 country representatives were women, pointing out that this corresponds to roughly 11 percent.

Yenigün said that the chart prompted her to ask, 'While we expect young women to become the leaders of the future, what kind of path are we offering them today?' She noted that the New York Atatürk School played an important role in her own education, explaining that there she not only learned Turkish but also connected with the culture and found a space where she could express herself within Turkish society.

Education and critical thinking in the age of artificial intelligence

Yenigün emphasized that in an era of rapid artificial‑intelligence development, education must teach young people not only how to reach quick answers but also how to think critically.

Yenigün said that spaces must be opened where young people can develop their own ideas, make decisions, gain experience, and receive guidance, and also that women should be more visible in diplomacy and decision‑making mechanisms.

Yenigün recalled that in 1934 women in Turkey were granted the right to be elected and to serve as members of parliament, and he stressed the importance of opening doors not only for women to reach leadership positions but also for the young women who follow them. He said that women's leadership is not a competition but part of building more inclusive decision‑making mechanisms.

Academic scholarship support for 10 women

One of the program's most striking announcements was aimed at young women's academic careers.

Speaking on behalf of Istanbul Aydın University, İrem Arman announced that the Mustafa Aydın Foundation would provide scholarship support specifically for 10 researchers, master's students, and especially doctoral candidates. Arman, who said the process would begin with the evaluation of applications, added that they aim to meet the scholars again in New York next year.

By stating that the support announced today is a concrete step toward creating opportunities for women, he emphasized that if more women are to be seen at decision tables in the future, investment in their education must begin today.

Mustafa Aydın's message to Turkish society on education and identity

Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın noted that he was influenced by the work of the New York Atatürk School and the American Turkish Women's Association, which have been conducting their activities for decades, and said that these institutions play an important role in passing the Turkish language and cultural identity on to future generations.

Aydın, who stated that Turks living abroad should use Turkish among themselves as much as possible, emphasized that while encouraging children to learn Turkish, it is also important for adults to maintain their ties to the language.

"First we must raise good people"

One of the key messages of Aydın's speech was that academic success alone is not sufficient.

Aydın, who says that children should be raised as a 'good person' before they study at the world's leading universities or become successful doctors, engineers, and lawyers, emphasized the importance of families setting aside time for their children and making value transmission part of everyday life.

Aydın, who noted that technology, artificial intelligence, and global developments cannot be ignored, stated that all these innovations must be adopted without severing ties to cultural roots.

New meeting proposal for Turkish students in the United States

Aydın, who said he regularly meets Turkish youth studying at different universities in the United States, noted that despite their academic achievements, their ties to their own communities may weaken over time amid their intensive academic lives.

Aydın, who calls for Turkish civil society organizations to take a more active role at this point, suggested creating programs in New York where Turkish students could be brought together at regular intervals and meet Turkish scientists and businesspeople.

Aydın also stated that Turkish academics working at U.S. universities should provide more support to students; embassies, consulates, and education attachés should also bridge the gap between young people and academic opportunities.

Academic collaborations with UNITAR and U.S. universities

Aydın also provided information about academic work carried out during the New York contacts. He said that a joint center on maritime law is being worked on in Istanbul between Istanbul Aydın University and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Aydın, noting that existing programs are with Stevens Institute of Technology, said that contacts were made with various universities including Columbia University, and that about 13-14 academic collaborations are being worked on jointly with existing and newly developed ones.

It was emphasized that women should have a greater presence from education to politics.

Aydın, assessing women’s position in Turkey, explained that more than half of the students at Istanbul Aydın University are women and that women hold significant roles in university administration.

Aydın, noting that women in Turkey occupy more positions than in the past across many fields—from education to public administration, from politics to business and civil society—said that the progress made is insufficient and that women must continue to be supported.

Independent venue message for Atatürk School

Aydın said he was moved by the sacrifice of those who, years ago, built these structures to transmit the Turkish language, culture, and values to future generations without expecting any material return.

Aydın, who said that institutions in New York need to be strengthened further, expressed his hope for an independent venue. He also said that, in addition to support from Turkish businesspeople and various institutions, the support and incentive options offered by Turkey should be investigated more effectively.

They are tracing missing Turkish martyrs in the United Kingdom.

The account of an educator who joined from London during the program's Q&A session also drew attention. The participant, who described conducting archival work on the missing graves of Turkish soldiers from the 19th century in the United Kingdom, said that a project to establish a memorial for Turkish soldiers in Liverpool has been found.

The participant, who noted that the names of two of the soldiers whose graves had disappeared in another region were identified as Yakup from Trabzon and Ömer from Rize, said that work is continuing to determine the identities of the other soldiers and to create a monument. He also called on the Turkish community that has accessed similar historical documents in the United States to get in touch with them.

The program concluded with the message "follow-up and control".

During the Q&A session, alumni of Istanbul Aydın University and participants from the Turkish community living in the United States also spoke, sharing their experiences related to education and civil society work.

At the end of the program, a wish was expressed for the American Turkish Women's Association to achieve a stronger institutional structure in the future, while Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydın emphasized the importance of a "follow-up and control" approach in concluding the work.

The event concluded with the presentation of handmade gifts to the speakers and a group photo.

ABDPost New York Representative Özlem Özgüt Yörekli also followed the program on site, reporting the key developments highlighted at the meeting—from women's leadership to academic scholarships, from the education of diaspora youth to academic collaborations between Turkey and the United States.