Meritocracy Concerns Raised Over Youth Technical Committee: “Democratic Representation Has Been Undermined”

In a joint statement, the European Union Turkish Cypriot Student Federation (EU-TCSF), Turkish Cypriot Student Association – Turkey (TCSA-TR), and the United Kingdom Turkish Cypriot Student Federation (UK-TCSF) emphasised their desire to be involved in the process and their concern that appointments to the committee were made without adequate merit-based criteria or transparency.

The statement read:

“We view the creation of new frameworks for youth participation as a positive development, and in this regard, we consider the establishment of the Bicommunal Youth Technical Committee a step in the right direction.

We had previously expressed our desire to be involved in the formation of the committee, which was announced on 2 April 2025 and aims to enhance intercommunal youth dialogue, as representatives of thousands of Turkish Cypriot students actively pursuing education abroad.

‘Appointments to the Committee Lack Merit and Undermine Democratic Representation’

Despite responding positively to the call issued on 20 March 2025 by the Youth Federation, participating actively in the process, and engaging in youth work for years, the appointments to the committee were made without regard to merit. The process lacked transparency and undermined the principle of democratic representation.

Forming such a critical committee—one that will shape future youth policies—without the inclusion of active student organisations and representatives from youth abroad casts doubt on the sincerity of its aim to represent Turkish Cypriot youth. Marginalising students—one of the most dynamic and multifaceted segments of the youth—as mere observers in this process is deeply concerning.

‘Students Abroad Can Make Meaningful Contributions to Youth Work Through Their International Experience’

Turkish Cypriot students studying abroad are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to youth work through their exposure to different education systems, cultural interactions, interdisciplinary perspectives, and international networks. Ignoring this potential represents a significant loss in terms of youth representation.

We reaffirm: genuine representation is only possible through merit-based inclusion and transparency. We will continue our struggle for a structure where youth are not only visible but actively involved in decision-making processes.

‘We Leave Our Concern About the Committee’s Current Structure to Public Judgement’

We reiterate our commitment to contributing to every initiative that concerns the future of Turkish Cypriot youth and leave our concerns regarding the committee’s current inability to meet societal needs to the judgement of the public.”