Young pioneer wants to shape Rotterdam into a green and fair city

Student Mina Morkoç (24) was recently sworn in as a member of the Rotterdam City Council. She studies Law and Tax Law at Erasmus University Rotterdam and has been politically active since her very first year as a student.
Where does that drive come from?
“At home, I was taught how important it is to know your rights and to make use of them,” Mina explains.
“If you have rights, you protect them and you fight for them — that’s what I learned.”
Her political interest was sparked at age 18 during the U.S. elections, when Bernie Sanders brought attention to issues like equality and the environment.
“I thought: how does that work here in the Netherlands? So I started looking into it. The following year were the municipal elections, and I just walked into the GroenLinks office and introduced myself: ‘Hi, I’m Mina, I brought cookies.’”

Student and Council Member
In the 2022 municipal elections, Mina received the most preference votes after the party leader — earning her a seat on the city council.
“I want to represent all students and stay in close contact with them,” she says.
Balancing two studies and a council position keeps her busy — but that doesn’t bother her.
“I’ve always been busy. I enjoy doing a lot of things. Of course, not everything always goes perfectly — sometimes it’s too much. But I’m learning what I need and I’ve stopped feeling guilty about taking a day off when I need it.”

Standing Up for Young People
Having grown up in several different Rotterdam neighborhoods, Mina sees how much where you live influences how connected you feel to politics.
“Just look at the differences in voter turnout between neighborhoods. There are so many places in Rotterdam where people simply don’t vote. They’ve lost faith in politics or feel excluded from the conversation.”
She wants to change that:
“I want young people to have a green and fair future, and to have a place where they can be heard. In everything I do, I want to bring the perspective of young people into the discussion.”

Advice for Other Students. Mina is eager to connect:
“Get in touch with me, send a message — I have my own website where you can find my details.”
And she leaves fellow students with one last piece of advice:
“Don’t be afraid to start something alongside your studies! It’s great to broaden your interests while studying. Even if it means a bit of delay — it’s worth it if you’re working toward a better world.”