On Thursday, October 10, 2013, The EastWest Institute (EWI) hosted their Annual Awards Dinner at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The theme of the evening was “Honoring Global Change Agents.”
The EastWest Institute presented its Lifetime Achievement Awards to Secretary General Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen. More than 200 people attended the event, including TAA President Faruk Taban, Executive Director Mahmut Yeter of the Mid Atlantic Federation of Turkic American Associations (MAFTAA), President Emre Çelik of Rumi Forum and Director Jena Luedtke of Rumi Forum’s Center for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue.
According to EWI’s Chairperson of the Board, Ross Perot, Jr., “Secretary General İhsanoğlu’s pioneering leadership makes him a beacon of hope for those who envision a day of lasting, positive change around the globe.” Furthermore, “Secretary Cohen’s career—in the Senate, the Pentagon and the private sector—makes him an extraordinary world leader.”
Prof. Dr. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu was the first democratically elected Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations. Dr. İhsanoğlu is known for his qualities as a diplomat, international officer, academician, intellectual, founder and member of academic institutions, author and editor of numerous publications and advocate of intercultural dialogue. After taking office as the ninth Secretary General in January 2005, he coordinated the preparations, drafting, adoption and implementation of an essential reform program for the OIC aiming to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the 57-member organization.
Being at the helm of the sole intergovernmental international organization representing the Muslim World, Secretary General İhsanoğlu took major steps to bring about a significant shift in OIC policies, including: the “Ten-Year Programme of Action to Face the Challenges of the Twenty-First Century”; a new OIC Charter; changing the name and logo of the organization; the establishment of the Executive Committee; the adoption of the criteria for membership and observer members; the establishment of new departments in the General Secretariats such as humanitarian and family affairs departments; and the establishment of new institutions within the OIC system—i.e. the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC), the Science, Technology and Innovation Organization (STIO) and the Special Organ for the Development of Women. Dr. İhsanoğlu has also gained recognition for his work to build bridges of understanding between cultures, particularly between the Muslim world and the West. For instance, Dr. İhsanoğlu is one of the signatories of “A Common World,” an open letter by Islamic scholars to Christian leaders, calling for peace and understanding.
According to EWI Board Member Gen. (ret.) James L. Jones, the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Secretary General İhsanoğlu was particularly appropriate because he “has made a tremendous difference in the transformation of the Islamic world and its relations with the West.”
In accepting the award, Dr. İhsanoğlu stressed his commitment to promoting “the principles of moderation and modernization,” and to “reject and condemn all forms of fanaticism, extremism, terrorism and bigotry.” Dr. İhsanoğlu concluded that modernization offers the opportunity for the Muslim world “to reform its institutions so that it can have its rightful and honorable place among the community of nations that satisfies the aspirations of its people for a better life.”
In 2001, Secretary Cohen ended a 28-year career in government service and entered the private sector as chairman and CEO of The Cohen Group, an international strategic consulting company. In addition to his work at The Cohen Group, Cohen remains an active public voice on issues of foreign affairs, business, and defense. “This is a man who epitomizes the definition of leadership,” General Jones declared.
The Turkic American Alliance congratulates Secretary General Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu and former U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen for their groundbreaking work and leadership as global change agents in today’s world.
