The Girne Research Institute formed under the decision of Girne American University Senate has commenced affairs. As a result of the legislation, which was accepted unanimously by the GAU Senate at the meeting held on 13th December 2013, GAE is to undertake research in countering the problems faced by the Cyprus Turkish public and TRNC, and to organize conferences, produce documentaries and share these with the public thus assisting with new ideas and enabling democratic mechanisms to produce much favorable results. Under this target, GAE is to conduct research and prepare reports, undertake public research and share the results with the public, organize conferences and panels to deliver different perspectives to the public.


AIM: TO INFLUENCE POLITICAL DECISIONS

The principles bound by the legislation are stated below:

1. To provide support on enhancing the prosperity and happiness of the Turkish Cypriot people and reinforce world peace through a perception of world order which accepts humanity development as a whole;

2. To support the organization of communal structure and international order upon the principles of global human rights, freedom, peace, justice, rule of law and equal opportunities;

3. To undertake affairs on communal, regional and international problems; producing resolutions to the problems encountered by the Turkish Cypriot people and acknowledging the public;

4. To deliver resolution formulas to the public through acknowledgment of political, economic and social affairs

5. To influence on academic research and political decisions and enhance the effectiveness of the political decisions;

6. To avoid the clashes of differences; combining distinct perceptions in accordance with scientific standards and distance from partisan concerns and act as a platform for dialogue.

FIRST STUDY: EXPECTATIONS SURVEY

The first study, 2014 Expectations Survey, conducted by GAE was held on 14th and 15th December 2013. The expectation survey which will be conducted annually will analyze “the socio-economic and social expectations of the Turkish Cypriot People in short term”. The survey was held in 5 cities by 29 pollsters in accordance with the samples and was completed by 486 TRNC citizens. 87.6% participants recorded that notwithstanding no increase in exchange rates they expect an increase on goods and services in 2014. 51% of the participants stated that although it will free foreign dependency they will never give away their personal rights as employees. Despite this, 36.8% of the participants argue that this is required.

The survey results were announced on Wednesday 22nd December following the meeting held in the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Commerce Hall.