The Turkish Cultural Center of Albany (TCCA) hosted its 2nd Annual Dialogue and Friendship dinner on April 25, 2012 at the Hotel Albany. The theme of this year’s dinner was “Education for Global Peace and Tolerance.” The event was very well attended by about 200 invitees, which included educators, community leaders, religious leaders, members of the New York State Senate and Assembly, academics from local universities, and community residents. At the beginning of the program, NY State Senator Neil Breslin representing Albany read the New York State Senate proclamation presented to TCCA.
The event began with welcoming speech by Veysel Ucan, the director of TCCA. He stated that education is the solution of all social diseases by referring to The Hizmet (Service) movement, a worldwide faith-inspired social movement initiated in Turkey. He explained how the Movement is contributing to world peace by it’s educational and cultural activities.
Following the welcoming remarks, Seth Leech, master of ceremonies, introduced the first guest speaker, Mr. Mehmet Kalyoncu, an independent political analyst based in New York. His articles and publications have appeared in the Foreign Policy Magazine, Balkanalysis, Caspian Business News, Zaman US Daily, Today’s Zaman, Zinda Magazine, Power and Interest Report (PINR), American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, Journal of Central Asia and the Caucasus, and Centro Argentino de Estudios Internacionales. His presentation topic fit the theme of the event very well, as he focused on incorporating the principle of the Hizmet movement into educational systems locally and worldwide to accomplish the movement’s mission for peace and tolerance. The next guest speaker was the Honorable Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, a staunch advocate for a state-run, university system that may be accessible to everyone. His speech focused on a highly successful dual-degree program between the SUNY system and Turkish universities as well as observations from his trips to Turkey on intercultural dialogue and tolerance.
Mr. Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of one of fastest growing companies – Chobani Yogurt — was then presented with the TCCA philanthropy award for his generous contributions to education and people in need both locally and globally. His diligent philanthropic efforts have established the Shepherd’s Gift Foundation, a relief organization, and he recently donated $1 million to the Global Enrichment Foundation to help famine relief efforts in Somalia through the Convoy for Hope program. Last year Chobani also immediately responded the victims of Earthquake in Van province of Turkey, which left many children and families homeless.
Honorable Assemblyman Bob Reilly received this year’s community service award. He is a member of the New York State Assembly for the 109th district. He was first elected in 2004. He has focused efforts to improve education and health care funding. As a result he has succeeded in increasing state aid to education to area schools by nearly $11 million, and has fought to restore nearly $29 million in funding to hospitals and nursing homes around the capital region. To date Reilly has donated nearly $145,000 from his salary to local charitable organizations.
The second community service award was given to Mr. Clifford Holly, FBI Special Agent in Charge, Albany Division for his leadership and service in protecting civil rights, providing security and peace, reaching out to the communities for social harmony.
And peace education award was given to Mrs. Paula Weiss. She is co-creator and Director of the Children at the Well Youth Storytellers for Peace & Understanding.
NY State Legislators made final presentations on their experiences from their recent trips to Turkey. The event was concluded by dinner and group pictures of the guests.
For more details go the TCCA’s website
