21 September World Peace Day

Engage4Peace

Engage public awareness raising campaign launched.
You can see the Turkish version of the video clip below. These video clips show how ordinary Cypriots can contribute to the process of reconciliation and dialogue. The English and Greek versions of the clips will be published here soon.

Please do share your opinions about clips and the importance of civil contribution in comment section.

FEDERALISM NOW BEING DISCUSSED IN DIKMEN

“ENGAGE- Do your part for peace” project, implemented by The Management Centre and the NGO Support Centre, is holding the fourth event in a series of Open Discussions on understanding the Federation model of governance in Dikmen.

The open discussion, entitled “Understanding Federalism”, took place on 28 July, 2010 Wednesday 20.00pm at the Dikmen Municipal Park.

The open discussions have been previously held in three cities: the first in Limassol, the second in Nicosia and third one in Famagusta. Building on the success of the previous events, the ENGAGE project team has now partnered with local authorities in order to take the discussion to new regions and reach different groups of people, this time in Dikmen.

The discussion brought together local experts Asst. Prof. Tufan Erhürman and Dr. Ayla Gürel.

FEDERALISM DISCUSSED

Engage discussed federalism in 3 city. Limassol, Famagusta and Nicosia. Reinold Herber, Senior Advisor of the Forum of Federations from Germany participated in all 3 events. Reinold Herber debated the issue of Federalism with contributions from Tufan Erhurman, who is an academician and Achilleas Demetriades, who is a practising lawyer at Nicosia in Fullbright Centre. Event attracted more than 140 people.
At Limmasol Dr. Herber along with Mrs, Erato Kozakou Marcoullis informed citizens on federalism, the main provisions of a federation. Last event took place at Famagusta and Dr. Herber and Tufan Erhurman made their presentation on same subject.
Thu huge success of the events motivates Engage team to carry on discussions on federalism issues. The next event took place at Dikmen Village which you can find the details in above.
Engage team planned 5 more discussions points with regard to Federalism and the dates of the activities will be displayed both in blog and the engage web site calendar of events.

The ‘ENGAGE’ Project Launched its Small Grants Programme

The Management Centre along with the NGO Support Centre under the ENGAGE project
organised an event to present their Small Grants Programme. The event was organised on Friday, the 22nd January 2010, at the Fulbright Centre at 4:30pm.

The aim of the the Small Grants Programme is to provide financial and other types of assistance to Civil Society Organsiations, platofrms, networks and civil society initiatives for their activities and projects which contribute to peace and reconciliation in Cyprus. The event was completed as open to all Non Governmental Organizations, as well as, platofrms, networks and civil society initiatives that are already engaged in the reconciliation process or to those who would like to organize a bi-communal event. The ENGAGE Project supports efforts which contribute to the spirit of reconciliation and the promotion of peace on the island.

‘ENGAGE - DO YOUR PART FOR PEACE’ PROJECT INTRODUCED

Civil Society strengthening project “Engage -Do your part for the peace!” introduced to community with a street event. Its opportunities for the Civilian Society and Organizations were explained as well.

The scope of the project presented in detail to the community. Besides, the leaflets which include information regarding small fund opportunities to the Civil Society Organizations and for their activities distributed during the event.

The Management Centre and The NGO Support Centre are implementing the project ENGAGE “Civic Engagement for Reconciliation”. The overall aim of the project is to strengthen the capacity of Civil Society and to provide a vehicle for citizens to play a role in the reconciliation process.

Engage project is delivering various numbers of open trainings, technical assistance and advocacy for the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and platforms or networks formed by CSO’s. In addition to this there will be small funding opportunities for the CSO’s and networks to be used in their activities in line with the objectives of the ENGAGE project.

With ENGAGE project, Civil Society Organizations, Civil Society Networks and other civil society initiatives can develop projects or activities and apply for the small grant which contributes peace process and reconciliation and besides creation of new networks.

54 Organizations Express Their Support to the Two Leaders with a Common Declaration

On the occasion of the start of the second round of negotiations, Civil Society Organizations would like to express their support to the two community leaders.

More than 50 Civil Society Organizations from both communities have now initiated a joint effort to discuss and exchange ideas in a manner which can contribute to the debate at the grassroots level. Now, as it has already been underlined by both leaders and the international community, is the right time to achieve
a lasting peace by moving forward to an agreed solution.

These organizations coming from various sectors of civil life support and believe in the courage of the two leaders, who are exerting serious efforts towards the future of a United Federal Cyprus. We understand that like any peace building process ours will also continue to be challenging and difficult. Yet, every decisive step taken in that direction will contribute to deeper understanding between the two communities.

Civil Society expresses its dedication to strengthening the leaders’ efforts, by opening and maintaining channels of communication, building mutual trust and promoting reconciliation between the two communities.
Bearing in mind those concerns and points of views which strain the negotiations process, we call upon the Leaders to note these and to ensure that information about the negotiations process is transmitted to both communities in a clear manner. We emphasize that the general public needs to be properly informed, and, as a result, become more familiar with and have the ability to discuss the details of the progress achieved and the possibilities for the future. Therefore, any difficulties need to be addressed in a positive and constructive way so as not to hinder the process and adversely affect the outcome of the talks. It is understandable for the general public to seek clarification on the ongoing negotiations and by doing so we
avoid vagueness, confusion, and unfair and uninformed criticism.

Civil society is seeking to contribute to the negotiations and engage in the decision making processes by embracing a catalytic role. Thus, we help to contribute to a new impetus in moving forward to realizing a bicommunal, bi-zonal Federal Cyprus.

The ‘ENGAGE- Do Your Part for Peace' project is supported and funded by the United Nations Development Program - Action for Cooperation and Trust (UNDP-ACT).

“Climate Change, Desertification and Water in Cyprus”

The ENGAGE – “Do Your Part for Peace” project, managed by the Management Centre and the NGO Support Centre, funded by the UNDP ACT Program, held an open discussion titled “Climate Change, Desertification and Water in Cyprus” to celebrate World Water Day. The event was a success with increased interest from organisations and individuals who are concerned about environmental issues and more specifically the water problem and the danger of desertification in Cyprus.
Management Centre ENGAGE Project Coordinator Mehmet Harmancı stated in his opening speech that although Cyprus faces many environmental challenges, perhaps the greatest of all these challenges are the ones related to climate change, desertification and water. He explained that the aim of this open discussion was to raise awareness among everyone in both communities, and help mobilize people across the divide for a shared solution towards these challenges.
During the event, a representative from the Water Task Force of the Environment Technical Committee also announced the imminent implementation of the first island wide water awareness campaign. Professor Manfred A. Lange, specialist in the field of utilisation of renewable energy sources, energy and water use efficiency in the sustainable built environment and the assessment of climate change impacts, presented an analysis of the potential short, medium and long term effects of climate change on Cyprus. Other topics of discussion throughout the evening ranged from the frightening aspects of potential desertification of Cyprus to desalinisation methods and the need to update current methods of agricultural irrigation to switching to sustainable agriculture which uses less water. The discussion finally underlined the need for a comprehensive water policy towards the future of Cyprus.
Prof. Lange explained that renewable energy sources are a perfect option for Cyprus and he presented facts where a 25 km2 area would perfectly cover the amount of energy required by the entire island of Cyprus. Hence, Prof. Lange stressed that this option must simply not be overlooked.
After Lange’s speech, participants contributed to the discussion with questions and suggestions.
In closing of the event, NGO Support Centre director Michalis Avraam with some concluding remarks thanked everyone for their attendance, and expressed his hope that this event will be the step for more actions and for common strategies on environment for a better future for our children and a shared effort by all communities. Michalis Avraam finally stated that the findings of this event would be taken further by incorporating them into future activities.