dr. erdem continues his social services through his presidency at the marev – association of businessmen of mardin and as former chairman and member of the association of yüzyıl işıl high schools. he is a member of the global advisory board of the george washington university. on 29 june 2000 he was also honored by omar hasan ahmad al-bashir, president of the republic of sudan with a legion of honor. dr. erdem served two terms as chairman of the turkish-american businessmen association,taba , an accredited american chamber of commerce in turkey, .