Young Society Leaders gather in Istanbul

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

The Young Society Leaders, an arm of the American Turkish Association, gathered at Istanbul’s Sabancı Center on June 20.

American Culture Society leader Murat Köprülü and Natixis Senior Country Manager Rıza Kadılar attended the debut meeting, as Joshua Walker, Sedef Koktenturk, Melek Pulatkonak, Christina Luke, Christopher Roosevelt, Aslı Ay, Didem Altop and Şebnem Kalemli Özcan were the other speakers.

The American Culture Society, which was founded in New York in 1949, has developed symposiums in a wide range of issues from finance to culture, Köprülü said during a speech.

The Young Society Leaders was only an idea two years ago, which aimed at gathering brilliant entrepreneurs, he said. “Today, we have successful young people in all sectors in the U.S.” he added.

The number of participants reached 150, up from 50 last year he noted, adding the organization manages itself today and produces authentic outputs, such as events.

Aslı Ay highlighted the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between Europe and the U.S., saying Turkey’s contribution to the partnership was crucial as Europe stands as its top exports market with 60 percent. She called for intense efforts for the matter.

The post-Barack Obama government will finalize the partnership, she also noted.