What's Being Done On . . . Human Rights and Democracy in Turkey ?

Introduction List of Turkish NGOs Working on Human Rights and Democracy Links to Online Publications ARI MOVEMENT FLYING BROOM TUMIKOM Fourth Assembly Web Site: "Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation," Istanbul, Turkey, April 2-5,2006 World Movement Participants Database - Search for more information about groups using advocacy to achieve democratic reform.

ARI MOVEMENT (ARI HAREKETI)

An independent social movement founded in Istanbul in 1994, the ARI Movement produces information-based participatory solutions to both domestic and international challenges facing Turkey. The organization strives to encourage Turkish youth to implement the values of participatory democracy into their everyday lives. The ARI Movement promotes civil society participation through the creation and dissemination of information, and also promotes, at the national and local levels, the formation of institutes as vehicles for participation in the democratic process. The organization utilizes committees composed of volunteer members as well as ARI Movement professional staff.

The 12 professional staff, all of whom are experts in various fields, coordinate ARI Movement projects and activities, and support committees, while volunteer members participate in all projects. The ARI Movement’s work is divided into four main sectors: Institution Building, Society and Politics, International Relations, and Young ARI. There is a committee for each division which is then divided into sub-teams based on goals and projects.

For more information, please go to: www.ari.org.tr/english/index.asp

Interview

We would like to thank Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, Director of the ARI Movement, for answering the following interview questions.

1. Please tell us about your position in the ARI Movement.

I am the Director of the ARI Movement and am responsible for the overall management of the organization. Prior to becoming director, I was in charge of managing the human rights program.

2. There are a number of branches within the ARI Movement. Can you please tell us about the origin and aim of GencARI (Young ARI)?

The ARI Movement’s aim is to promote participatory democracy, as well as nurture new social leaders in Turkey. For this reason, it is extremely important for us to target young people in the age bracket of 15-25. This age group also happens to make up 50 percent of society. Young people at that age represent the most dynamic group open to change. However they are also often troubled due to unmet expectations and a lack of hope and trust . For example, according to one of our surveys, in 2002, 96 percent of Turkish young people do not trust anyone outside of their family. As a result, their objective knowledge of government is very limited. We try to change this by increasing their knowledge through participation. Young ARI is the channel through which we can reach these youth.

3. Why do you think there is a low level of civic participation among young people in Turkey?

First, I should mention that voting is still higher among Turkish youth than in some other western countries. However, other than the reasons mentioned in response to the previous question, there needs to be more direct modes of political participation. There are very few outlets for this because of low trust levels and lack of cultural participation. We have also found that family, school, and other social structures limit youth participation.

4. How do your activities address the challenges young people face, and how do they improve decision-making skills regarding politics?

We teach them the belief that it is better to learn how to catch your own fish than to have someone else catch the fish for you. We do a lot of theoretical training, and we also create programs that teach young people how to trust one another, thus empowering them with the knowledge with which they can effect change.

5. Recently, you organized a "political school" that works to educate Turkish youth about the European Union, human rights, and other issues. How have participants in this school become more active in political participation after they graduated?

 We have graduated many politically active students, although some were already active before enrolling. One actually became vice president of the “youth awakening” for one of the major parties in Turkey. There have been students who have joined political parties and NGOs through their participation in our school. One participant actually became a member of Young ARI in Ankara, and soon after was elected its president.

6. Do you see the voice of Turkish youth becoming stronger in the future?

 Yes, but they first need to realize how powerful they are already and that they can solve their problems through greater participation. We created a slogan for our youth programs: “Participate and create your own future.” No one will help them solve their problems as long as they are not proactive and do not participate themselves.