United Nations

THE AMERICAN TURKISH WOMEN’S UNION IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE ITS OFFICIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS.

With the full support of the Board of Directors, The Turkish Women’s League of America (TWLA) unanimously decided on August 11, 2020, to initiate the process of association with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UNDGC).

The United Nations Department of Global Communications Civil Society Association Committee (#UNDGC_CSO) evaluated the TWLA‘s application at its meeting held on December 10, 2021, and officially approved the association.

This approval became effective immediately on the date the decision was made.

United Nations Press Release — Association of 19 Civil Society Organizations Approved (PI/2297)

This significant development will enable the TWLA to continue its work in the fields of women’s rights, social equality, education, and cultural sustainability more strongly on a global scale.

UN Committee Members

On August 11, 2020, the association of the Turkish Women’s League of America (TWLA) with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN-DGC) was approved, and the TWLA United Nations Relations Committee was established.

Berna Gürdal

PRESIDENT

Esra Doğru

VICE PRESIDENT

Fatma Aldaş

TWLA AUDIT BOARD MEMBER

Burcin Rutherford

BOARD MEMBER

Yasemin Knott

YOUNG REPRESENTATIVE

Ece Yenigun

YOUNG REPRESENTATIVE

TWLA UN Commitments

On August 11, 2020, the association of the Turkish Women’s League of America (TWLA) with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN-DGC) was approved, and the TWLA United Nations Relations Committee was established.

UN Expectations

  • To join global efforts to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, to defend human rights, and to promote peace and security.

  • To comply with the guidelines regarding the appropriate use of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) visual materials.

TWLA is entitled to six grounds passes annually; these passes can be used for entry to the United Nations Headquarters in New York. (Subject to change due to COVID-19)

TWLA representatives are invited to Thematic Briefing Meetings organized by the DGC Civil Society Unit; these meetings feature UN officials, government representatives, and civil society experts.

If meetings organized by TWLA within the scope of UN Days are reported in the UN Newsletter, they gain the opportunity to be announced in the programs section where UN news is shared.

Every two years, TWLA is required to submit a Biennial Review. This report is mandatory for determining the appointment of representatives from TWLA to the DGC.

TWLA's Expectations

The purpose of the TWLA United Nations Relations Committee is to identify, implement, and support UN projects together with members and volunteers within the Turkish Women’s League of America.

The Committee also:

  • Acts as a bridge in the relations between the TWLA and the UN-DGC,

  • Promotes and advocates for our projects regarding women’s rights, youth, mother tongue education, and sustainability at the UN-DGC,

  • Increases the visibility of projects concerning the Turkish-American community, taking into account the UN meetings and events that the TWLA has previously attended,

  • Contributes to providing information about TWLA projects and initiatives in the UN Newsletter and other UN communication channels.

OUR VISION

  • To engage with the United Nations regarding issues of global importance and in line with UN priorities.

  • To strengthen TWLA as the voice of the Turkish-American community.

  • To communicate the issues affecting our community, raise awareness, find solutions, and work towards a sustainable future.

OUR MISSION

Gemini said

As the Turkish Women’s League of America (TWLA), our mission is:

  • To identify and implement inspiring projects relevant to our community members based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals,

  • To involve Turkish-American communities in the identified projects,

  • To collaborate and conduct joint work with other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) within the UN,

  • To increase participation in projects by organizing online programs in addition to in-person activities.

TWLA Partner Organizations

  • Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA)

  • The Light Millennium (LM)

  • Empowering the Turkish American Community (ETAC)

  • Consortium for Sustainable Urbanization (CSU)

  • Bridge to Turkiye Fund

  • Red Pepper Association (Kırmızı Biber Derneği)

TWLA Bylaws

You can access our association’s bylaws via this link.

TWLA Bylaws