Istanbul Center in Atlanta Holds Conference

The Istanbul Center in Atlanta is hosting a Conference entitled "The Alliance of Civilizations: Turkey at the Crossroads of Cultures". The embracing theme of the conference will be the "Alliance of Civilizations," with its emphasis on peaceful coexistence and dialogue between all people of races and creeds and across religious and cultural differences.

Several prominent figures from the world such as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the president of the Project of Alliance of Civilizations and former Portugal President Jorge Sampaio, US Senator Jonny Isaacson and State Minster of Turkiye Mehmet Ali Aydin sent their messages.

The President of Kennesaw State University Daniel Papp noted that the Project was kicked off in 2005 with Turkiye and Spain taking the lead.

The President of Istanbul Center Tarik Celik in his address expressed his joy that the academic year at KSU had been announced "the Year of Turkiye". Celik also said that he appreciated the UN support given to the conference.

Ban Ki-Moon's message was relayed to the public as he spoke of the importance and necessity of dialogue.

Meanwhile, the State Minister of Turkiye, Mehmet Ali Aydin, sent a video message and in it he laid emphasis on the importance of the global project.

Also, Thomas Uthup read a message from Jorge Sampaio, who is the former Spanish President and high representative of the Alliance of Civilizations, quoted Martin Luther King saying, "Uniting our voices and powers let's turn the alliance of peace into reality."

The AK Party deputy Suat Kiniklioglu who came from Turkiye brought the message of the Prime Minster Erdogan and said that he gave his full support to the conference.