ABOUT ASA

Founded 1995 in Washington DC, the Atatürk Society of America (ASA) is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, dedicated to promoting the ideals of Atatürk.

ASA understands Atatürk's political philosophy to be:

• Sovereignty belongs to the people.
• Public sovereignty cannot be shared with any other authority, including religious authority.
• Secular education ensures public sovereignty and rationality in governance.
• Secularism is essential to avoid the influence of any religion on state affairs.
• For progress to be achieved, superstition and dogma must always yield to science and reason.
• Freedom and the pursuit of happiness are common aspirations of humanity.
• Representative democracy prevents abuse of power by incorporating a system of checks and balances through a constitution that includes a three-part separation of powers among a legislature, executive, and judiciary.
• Ataturk's noble principle, "Peace at home and peace in the world," is crucial to maintaining the common good of humankind.

ASA organizes meetings and scholarly lectures, provides research fellowships, and serves as a resource for material regarding Atatürk's political philosophy. It also publishes the periodical, Voice of Atatürk, a photo journal with historical and political stories pertaining to Ataturk. On two dates approximately six months apart, May 19 and November 10, members meet in Washington, DC.

NEWS

ASA wishes you a Happy Youth and Sports Day!
May 19, 2013 signifies many events; the Youth Day, (19 Mayis Genclik ve Spor Bayrami ), the 94nd Anniversary of the start of the War of Independence (Kurtulus Savasi) and the 132th anniversary of Ataturk’s Birthday.

Visit by Hon. Muharrem Ince, Member of Parliament (CHP)
May 19, Youth and Sports Day Celebration
Friday May 24, 2013 at 6:00pm
The Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Ave. Washington, DC NW
Hon. Ince, Member of Parliament (CHP) is the keynote speaker.
RSVP: (202) 362-7173 or info@ataturksociety.org by May 19, 2013.

Panel Discussion on Press Freedom & Rule of Law in Turkey
Atatürk Society of America and Turkish Policy Center held a panel discussion on "Press Freedom & Rule of Law in Turkey.
The panelists were:
Susan Corke, Program Director, Freedom House;
Gareth Jenkins, Independent Author; Barış Terkoğlu, News Director, Odatv. Follow the links below to read the press coverage of the event.
Yeni Çag Gazetesi
ODATV Gazetesi
Hürriyet Gazetesi
Voice of America
Freedom House
Read more about this event on our Events page.

Honorable Oktay Ekşi received the 2012 Atatürk Free Press and Democracy Award
Hon. Oktay Ekşi who is a member of the Parliament and a legendary journalist was the guest of honor at the 19th of May, National holiday ceremony organized by the Atatürk Society of America in Washington, DC. Hon. Oktay Ekşi was presented with the Atatürk Free Press and Democracy Award for his exemplary dedication and tireless work in protecting the freedom of the press and democracy in Turkey. Awards were also presented in absentia to Turgut Özakman and Muazzez İlmiye Çığ.