The Happiness of Freedom

Liberal Demokrasi Hareketi

The Liberal Democracy Movement was established on 1 May 2023 as an independent civil society organization in Northern Cyprus. The Movement was founded with the aim of ensuring that liberal democratic thought does not remain confined to theoretical debate, but becomes part of the public discourse surrounding the social, economic, and institutional issues facing Northern Cyprus.

At the heart of LDM’s establishment is the belief that liberal thought should be pursued with continuity within an institutional and independent civil society framework. For this reason, the Movement does not see itself as an initiative tied to particular periods or agendas, but seeks to build a lasting structure that conducts research, encourages discussion, develops ideas, and shares them with society.

Our work spans a wide range of areas, from research and publications to panels, educational programmes and policy workshops, as well as civil society gatherings and advocacy activities. Rather than merely assessing current issues, we place importance on examining their underlying causes and developing practical policy options. We also consider creating spaces that encourage the exchange of ideas between academia, civil society, the business community, public institutions, and different sections of society to be an important part of our work.

LDM is not a political party and does not operate as an extension of any political organization. While engaging with political and social issues, it maintains its institutional independence and develops its positions not according to individuals, parties, or temporary political circumstances, but in accordance with its principles and its own decision-making processes. It draws a clear distinction between engaging in dialogue with different institutions and actors and remaining independent from them.

The Movement’s structure is built on volunteerism and active participation. People from different professions, age groups, and intellectual backgrounds can find common ground for collaboration within LDM. Rather than expecting everyone to agree on every issue, we regard the reasoned discussion of differing views within a framework of shared principles as an important part of our institutional culture.

Today, the Liberal Democracy Movement continues its work in Northern Cyprus as an organization that produces knowledge, ideas, and policy proposals around liberal democratic thought, strengthens civic participation, and contributes to public debate from an independent civil society perspective.