Serkan Bayram Receives “International Life Value Creator” award
By Alpaslan Düven-London
Serkan Bayram Receives “International Life Value Creator” Award in Oxford from TRNC’s 5th President Ersin Tatar
AK Party Istanbul Member of Parliament Serkan Bayram delivered a speech on Saturday evening at the International Life Value Creator Summit (International Value Creator Award) held on the Oxford University campus. At the end of the program, Bayram received his award from Ersin Tatar, the 5th President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
“We are fighting for a barrier-free world”
In his address in Oxford, Bayram emphasized the goal of creating a barrier-free world, drawing attention to the 1.5 billion people living with disabilities worldwide and the 10 million in Türkiye. He highlighted the need to establish a global disability structure under the United Nations, noting that significant progress had been made through the UN Istanbul Project.
Bayram also underlined that Türkiye already has disabled representatives in the legislative and judicial branches, and that they are working to ensure the inclusion of disabled district governors, governors, ministers, and ambassadors in the executive branch. As a result of these efforts, he stated that he has received over 50 awards globally this year and invitations from more than 50 countries.
“Cyprus is a symbol of abundance and struggle”
Recalling that he was born during the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation, Bayram emphasized the personal significance Cyprus holds for him. He described Northern Cyprus as “a symbol of abundance and struggle, like a grain of wheat” and expressed hope for progress toward a two-state solution. Bayram also congratulated President Ersin Tatar and newly elected President Tufan Erhürman for their work in Northern Cyprus.
Bayram shared that he spent 40 days in intensive care following a childhood burn accident. Now, as a member of parliament working for the rights of people with disabilities, he said,
“I did not suffer in vain; I did not become a deputy in vain.”
He added that his barrier-free life initiatives have attracted global interest, noting that his books have been published in several languages and his short films screened internationally. Speaking about efforts to combat bullying in schools, he said,
“Children who once recoiled when they saw my hand now run to hug it.”
“We want peace, not war”
Bayram also delivered a message of global peace, noting that natural disasters are already destructive enough on their own:
“Let us not kill each other; let us not disable one another.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to working tirelessly for a barrier-free world.
Award Presented by President Ersin Tatar
At the end of the ceremony, Serkan Bayram received the International Life Value Creator Award from TRNC’s 5th President Ersin Tatar.
The award ceremony, where President Tatar served as the guest of honor, was attended by Girne American University Founder and DP MP Serhat Akpınar; Turkuvaz Media UK Representative and Chairman of the Turkish-British Journalists Association Alpaslan Düven; Vice President of the International Diplomats Association Halil Sert; London TRNC Embassy Representative Mehmet Tuncay; Istanbul Arel University Head of International Relations Prof. Dr. Uğur Özgöker; Oxford University Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emir Özeren; and journalist and sociologist Hülya Özkoyuncu.