Filiz Odabas-Geldiay

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Ms. Filiz Odabas-Geldiay is the Executive Director of International Association for Human Values (IAHV) and Director of Government Relations for Art of Living Foundation (AOLF) in Washington DC. Renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is the founder of both of these organizations. The Art of Living Foundation (http://artofliving.org The Art of Living Foundation) is one of the largest volunteer based NGOs active in more than 140 countries and works in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. The Art of Living Foundation in partnership with the International Association for Human Values (http://iahv.org IAHV) implements educational programs and humanitarian service projects around the world.

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[edit] Earlier career

In her earlier career between 1986 to 1993, Odabas-Geldiay was the founder and executive director of the World Children's Day Foundation, a non-profit organization that collaborated with UNICEF to mobilize children in 140 countries to help the needy in their communities. Selected projects were later presented at the UN General Assembly Hall during the World Children's Day celebrations which was participated by more than 1200 children annually. Odabas-Geldiay was also responsible to follow up with the world leaders who signed the World Summit for Children Declaration and Plan of Action which resulted from the largest-ever gathering of 71 Heads of State at the U.N. The leaders' responses about the actions taken to implement minimum standards for the survival, health, protection and education for children were later compiled into a report. Her organization received numerous commendations including from the UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and New York Mayor Andrew Cuomo. The Foundation's activities were also widely covered by the international media.

Prior to that, Odabas-Geldiay was the Washington correspondent for the USA edition of Turkey's largest daily Hurriyet newspaper and has also published numerous articles including in the Washington Post and Nation's Business.

[edit] Education

Filiz Odabas-Geldiay studied Economics and History at St. Aldates College in Oxford, UK. She received her B.A. in International Relations and M.A in Communications and Conflict Management, both from the American University in Washington DC.

[edit] Affiliations

Filiz Odabas-Geldiay is a founder and Vice President of the Ataturk Society of America (http://ataturksociety.org); a member of a speaking group in Washington DC focusing on women's rights and has addressed, among others, the State Department, Harvard Club of Washington, Meridian International Center and the George Washington University Club.

[edit] Awards

Odabas-Geldiay is the recipient of the Capitol Hero Award from the American University and was nominated for People Who Make a Difference Award by the Helena Rubinstein Inc. for her work on behalf of children.

[edit] Personal Life

Filiz Odabas-Geldiay was born in Istanbul, Turkey. She immigrated to the US in 1981. She is married and has two daughters.

[edit] External links

   *The Art of Living Foundation
   *IAHV Official Website
   *Two and a Half Million People to Meet for World Unity and Peace 
   *Building Turkey’s Secular Future Through One Literate Girl at a Time 
   *A friend of Atatürk has been honored