* Photos: bianet
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The results of the "Political Preferences Survey of Youth" conducted by the Youth Organizations Forum (GoFor) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) were presented to the public at an event held in Ankara Mövenpick Hotel on August 31, 2021.
Representatives of political parties and non-governmental organizations, national and international institutions and organizations attended the event.
The field research, carried out by Metropoll Research Company, is based on a survey of 1,542 people aged 18-30 across Turkey and 3 focus group interviews.
The highlights of the research findings are as follows:
Politicians do not understand the youth
Although the perception of being taken into consideration by politicians exists, from the President to the party leaders, from the ministers to the mayors, it can be said that these steps are still insufficient for the youth.
In the eyes of young people, politicians do not listen to them, do not understand them, and do not try to find solutions to their problems.
In order for the political institution to appeal to the youth, it is necessary to open up space for the youth in politics as well as the steps needed to address the problems of the youth.
Participation in politics
Youth is generally reluctant to participate in politics. The reasons for this reluctance are the fact that their views will not be taken into account by the current older politicians, political polarization and political risks.
The gender-based concerns of young women participants are added to the concerns of young people about politics.
Especially in the political scene, the language and style towards women is observed as the main source of these concerns.
They want to be more active in local decisions
Although young people are not deeply aware of municipal work, they seem particularly interested in work that touches their own lives.
They want to have a say in most of the municipal works, from transportation to culture and arts, from zoning to budget management.
Young people also determine the formula that will strengthen the bond between local governments and young people: to be heard, to be taken seriously and to have a say!
They want convenience and inclusiveness in decision-making in order to increase their effectiveness in the decisions taken in the city.
About GoForGoFor was established in 2015 with 29 youth organizations to become Turkey's National Youth Council. In its current form, GoFor is an umbrella organization whose members are non-governmental organizations. Its current 68 members are youth associations, student organizations, social enterprises and informal youth organizations. The Forum has basically two purposes in the national arena. The first is to strengthen youth by building the capacity of its member organizations, and the second is to contribute to policymaking processes by advocating for youth rights at the national level. About NDINDI Since its founding in 1983, the NDI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that has worked to support and strengthen democratic institutions around the world through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. NDI assists democratic governments by improving the quality of life for citizens. NDI's main focus is people, and it aims to bring individuals and groups together to share their ideas, knowledge, experiences and expertise in order to strengthen and improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of democratic governance. There are more than 60 country offices around the world working in this direction. |
(CBT/TP/SD)
