Prof. Dr. Balcı Re-Elected as ECSR Member

Prof. Dr. Yusuf Balcı, Faculty member at Istanbul Commerce University, has been re-elected to the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) for the 2025-2030 term. Having held this position for 6 years, Prof. Dr. Balcı received the highest vote among 5 candidates in the voting held at the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.

Prof. Dr. Yusuf Balcı, a Faculty member in the English Economics Department of the Business Faculty at our University, who has distinguished himself through successful work for 6 years at the European Committee of Social Rights, one of the important supervisory bodies of the Council of Europe, was re-elected to the European Committee of Social Rights in the first round after being nominated by Turkey and receiving the highest vote among 5 candidates in the voting held at the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was noted that Prof. Dr. Yusuf Balcı's candidacy was supported by our country and satisfaction was expressed at his re-election. During his term as a member of the European Committee of Social Rights, Prof. Dr. Balcı has also carried out important work in the protection and development of social rights and the strengthening of international cooperation.

WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF SOCIAL RIGHTS?

The European Committee of Social Rights supervises the implementation of the European Social Charter and promotes the protection of social rights, operating as the most important independent supervisory body after the European Court of Human Rights. Prof. Dr. Yusuf Balcı's re-election holds great significance for our country's position within the Council of Europe.

About Prof. Dr. Yusuf Balcı

Prof. Dr. Yusuf Balcı graduated with honors from the Economics Department at Boğaziçi University before completing his Master's degree and doctorate at Istanbul University. Balcı served as a visiting scholar at Temple University in the United States and worked as a faculty member in the Faculty of Economics at Istanbul University.

Balcı previously served as Advisor to the Minister of Culture, Official Mediator at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, economist in the Economic Policy and Strategic Planning Department at the Islamic Development Bank, President of the Turkish Patent Institute, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister. He also held various positions including membership and chairmanship in numerous important bodies such as the KOSGEB Executive Board. Prof. Dr. Balcı also served internationally as Member of the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organization, Founding Board Member of the European Patent Academy, and member of the Coordination Committee of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Balcı, who has numerous national and international publications including 5 books in the fields of Innovation, Banking, Industrial Policies, Industrial Property, Labor Economics and Social Policy, currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Turkish Commercial Bank and as a Faculty member in the Economics Department of the Business Faculty at Istanbul Commerce University.

Prof. Dr. Yusuf Balcı is fluent in English, is married and has 3 children.