We Want to Take Part in Decision-Making

As young people, we want to have more say and be at the decision-making tables. We know that representation is a problem and we believe that this problem must be overcome. But what do we understand by decision tables? How can we have a say? What happens when we don’t have a seat at the decision-making tables? Why should we be given a seat? Various questions such as these arise in our minds. Without answering all these questions, these discourses remain a bit in the air. Therefore, let’s take a look at our answers to these questions together as a team.

What Should We Understand from Decision Tables?

I will start with what we understand and what we mean by decision tables. In many areas of our lives, various decisions are made on our behalf by the relevant elected or appointed administrators. Our rector at school, our principal at high school, local elected officials such as mayors/mayors or appointed officials such as governors/mayors, and national decision makers such as the President and Ministers make decisions on our behalf. In these decision-making processes, of course, there is not only one decision-maker. We know that there are also supporting mechanisms such as assemblies, delegations and senates. In the decision-making process, the final decision-makers are sometimes individuals and sometimes assemblies. These processes can change in different dimensions and situations. But there is an additional effort to ensure that decisions are inclusive. Those affected by the decisions taken can be a wide range of people. We believe that these groups should also take part in those decision-making processes. First and foremost, as young people, we want to take part.

As young people, we want to be involved in every process where decisions concerning our lives are taken. These processes may take place in various institutions and at various levels, but as the Arayuz Campaign team, we advocate that young people should be involved in the decision-making process at all levels and in all situations. For example, we want to have a say when the Loan and Dormitories Institution determines the amount of loans we receive. We want our opinion to be asked when the administrators of the school we attend are elected. As young people, we want to be represented by young people at the decision-making point, not only during the election of administrators, but also in all decisions taken about our school. We want to take part in the national parliament as young people and be fairly represented in decision-making processes. We want this representation to be made by young people. We want to take part as young people in the decisions taken in local governments, in issues concerning our living spaces, in education, in health, in domestic politics, in foreign policy, in the economy, in all areas that affect our lives.

“Make Room for Us!”

As young people, we do not accept that various obstacles are placed in front of us in the representation process. We know that we can be involved in these processes with a more participatory and fair system. We do not want to be excluded from these processes because we are young. We know very well that this is our right. We are affected by the decisions taken and we experience the consequences directly in our lives. We find it vital that we have a say in the decision-making processes that we experience the consequences of.

Today, there is a search for answers to the question of how to ensure more participation in decision-making processes. We have a solution to this problem for young people. Make room for us! Make room for us at whatever level you are running at, and instead of asking for young people’s opinions and contacting them, make sure that young people are involved in the process. In order to do this, if we, as young people, need to be candidates, give us space. If channels need to be established to convey our ideas, let’s establish them.

Every moment we are not included in the processes, we feel even more excluded. What we mean when we say that we want to take part in decision-making processes at decision tables is to be included in the processes and to be a subject in the processes. Unless this is achieved, our problems will not be solved, our voices will not be heard and we will be crushed under the consequences of the decisions taken in processes in which we are not included.

We don’t want to experience this, we want to be involved in decision-making processes, to be visible and to be subjects.