Led by World Academy for Local Government and Democracy (WALD) and funded by the Ministry of European Union and Turkish National Agency - Directorate for the Center for EU Education and Youth Programmes, Action 5.1 “System of Government Models From Youth’s Perspective: Presidential, Semi-Presidential, Parliamentary System and Party Presidency Project” had “Youth Gatherings” in eight different regions across 81 cities of Turkey, and ended with “National Summit Closing Meeting” held between 23-27 May 2014 in Ankara. Then President of Parliamentary Constitution Committee and then Istanbul MP Prof. Burhan Kuzu and WALD Member of the Executive Board Zehra Taşkesenlioğlu participated in the Summit.
Within the scope of System of Government Models From Youth’s Perspective: Presidential, Semi-Presidential, Parliamentary System and Party Presidency Project, young people across Turkey came together in eight different regions including Istanbul to debate over the subject matter and exchange ideas. Youth with different mindsets from across the country took part in the project through surveys carried out on social media and search conferences held at the universities of 81 cities of Turkey.
Ideas and contributions from the youth all over Turkey were received; the results were shared with participants in National Summit Closing Meeting as well as with public. Throughout the project period, total eight meetings were held in Marmara Region, Eastern Anatolia Region, Black Sea Region, Central Anatolian Region, Aegean Region, Mediterranean Region and Southeastern Anatolia Region, and total 500 young people participated in these meetings to express their opinions about the subject. Following all these activities, “National Summit Final Declaration” was prepared and shared with public, political party representatives and non-governmental organizations.
NATIONAL SUMMIT FINAL DECLARATION
1.Separation of powers should be clarified in compliance with the adopted model of government.
2.Because the election threshold is quite high in Turkey, not all segment of society is sufficiently represented. It is against the spirit of democracy. Election threshold is high especially in countries ruled by majoritarian democracy. Pluralist democracy advocates that balance should be maintained between the majority rule and minority rights. Therefore, the election threshold should firstly be lowered in order to represent all segments of society.
3.Local governments should be provided with authority-based reinforcement in order to successfully define the needs of community at the regional level in a more realistic way.
4.Egalitarian and libertarian civil constitution based on human rights should be enacted.
5.Curriculums should be revised to include human rights, democracy and model of government; methods raising awareness should be adapted to formal education.
6.Any future laws concerning political parties should clearly stipulate that members of parliament are accountable to public. (Public should be able to inspect their member of parliament.) Additionally, laws concerning political parties should allow positive discrimination in favor of women, disabled individuals and young people.
7.Designated members of cabinet should consist of experts with required knowledge and experience in order to fully perform their duties.
8.Regardless of the model of government, president or head of state should adopt a pluralism approach instead of majority rule.
9.Measures should be taken against any potential conflicts and polarization between individuals creating the society.
