NEW YORK, July 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Executive Vice President Ali Cinar represented the Turkish Heritage Organization as a panelist at the 2015 JCI Global Partnership Summit at the United Nations. The summit, held annually, brings together experts on development, technology, sustainability, education, and health. This year, the theme of the education forum was "Collaborating for a Sustainable Future," with the goal of discussing the importance of educating and empowering the next generation.

"Today's young people are tomorrow's global policymakers, scholars and entrepreneurs. For this reason, The Turkish Government has ensured that over 680,000 teachers from 42,000 schools across Turkey have received training and supplies to bring the latest educational technology to their classrooms," said Cinar at the summit. He added, "Turkey is also ensuring that young refugees from Syria and Iraq are provided with quality education during their time in Turkey."

Attended by more than 500 people, this high-level discussion about the benefits of investing in education and empowerment for the future generations was one of many vital conversations the Turkish Heritage Organization is participating in to advance the U.S.-Turkey dialogue and partnership. The panelists at the UN event emphasized that young voices not only deserve to be heard — young people need to be listened to and their views must be taken into account.

Other panelists participating in this event included the Senior Advisor at UN Global Compact, Fred Dubee, Rachel Steinberg, Assistant Director for Civil Society Partnerships, U. S. Fund for UNICEF, and Ronald K. Chitotela, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport for Zambia.

"It is important that we invest in the education of young people to give them the tools they need to ensure a brighter future for our countries and our world. The education and empowerment of the next generation is an investment on our future," said Cinar.

The Turkish Heritage Organization (THO) is a non-profit organization founded to promote discussion and dialogue around issues of importance in the U.S.-Turkey bilateral relationship as well as Turkey's role in the international community. Learn more at: http://turkheritage.org/ or on Twitter @TurkHeritage.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150423/201251LOGO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tho-participates-in-the-2015-jci-global-partnership-summit-300121911.html

SOURCE Turkish Heritage Organization