In the month of August TCA President G. Lincoln McCurdy traveled to Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey. Between August 3-19, McCurdy held meetings with the Turkish communities in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, Australia, and Wellington, New Zealand. He also met with Turkish Australian elected officials, Turkish Ambassador Vakur Gokdenizler, Turkish Consul Generals and the Deputy Chief of Mission in Wellington. During his trip, he visited the ANZAC and Ataturk Gallipoli Memorials in both Australia and New Zealand.
In Turkey, he met with U.S. Consul General Jennifer Davis, officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as academicians and former diplomats. On August 29, McCurdy was also the keynote speaker at the German Marshall Fund’s forum in Ankara on “The United States and Turkey: A Washington Perspective on a Vulnerable Relationship.”
TCA Accepting Applications for 2018 Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress
TCA is accepting applications for the Fifth Annual Turkish American Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress. The Youth Congress will take place October 25-28, 2018 in Washington, D.C., and will provide selected individuals the opportunity to experience Washington, D.C. and connect with their peers and heritage while learning about civic engagement, political activism, leadership, and the U.S.-Turkey relationship. TCA will select up to 25 young Turkish Americans to participate in this exclusive, all-expenses-paid forum. Applications for the 2018 Turkish American Youth Leadership Congress are due Monday, September 10, 2018.
TCA Hosts Young Cultural Ambassadors
On August 29, TCA hosted an orientation and welcome reception for the 2018 ATA-DC Young Cultural Ambassadors Program with a group of high school students from DC-MD-VA metropolitan area. The purpose of the program is for the students to learn more about the Turkish culture, meet with members of the Turkish-American and international community, and enhance their communication and diplomacy skills. During the orientation, TCA Director Nilsu Goren briefed the students and parents on TCA programs and activities.
TCA Directors Participate in Congressional Events
In July and August, TCA Directors participated in congressional events outside of Washington, D.C.
Between July 31-August 1, TCA Directors Nilsu Goren and Louette Ragusa attended an event organized by Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC/5th) with representatives from the Turkish American community in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA/9th) also attended the event.
TCA Hosts University of California, Irvine Students
On August 17, TCA hosted a delegation of American students from University of California, Irvine, who participated to the "Olive Tree Initiative" Armenia-Turkey" study group this year. TCA Director Nilsu Goren briefed the delegation on TCA programs and activities. The group also held a roundtable discussion with members of the Turkish American community in Washington, D.C.
TCA Attends August 30th Victory Day Reception
On August 30, TCA Director Nilsu Goren attended the August 30th Victory Day reception at the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C.
TCA Summer Internship Program Concludes
TCA 2018 Summer Internship Program participants worked at the following organizations: the American Turkish Council (ATC), the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), the Middle East Institute (MEI), the American Turkish Association of Washington, D.C. (ATA-DC), the Turkish Heritage Organization (THO), and the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA).
