4,970
edits
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
==Peace Initiatives between 1994 and 1999== | ==Peace Initiatives between 1994 and 1999== | ||
[[Harry Anastasiou|Harry]] and [[Yiannis Laouris|Yiannis]] have coordinated and trained several early peace initiatives. Together with virtually all members of the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]], they are credited for the training of over 4,000 citizens in peace and conflict resolution, summarised in the map below. They served as initiators and/or trainers of almost a dozen of those groups. In these early trainings, they have applied [[Interactive Management]], the methodology they have learned from their participation in the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]] and especially from [[Benjamin Broome]], a student of [[John N. Warfield]]. [[Interactive Management]] is the predecessor of what later became knows as [[Structured Democratic Dialogue]]. | [[Harry Anastasiou|Harry]] and [[Yiannis Laouris|Yiannis]] have coordinated and trained several early peace initiatives. Together with virtually all members of the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]], they are credited for the training of over 4,000 citizens in peace and conflict resolution, summarised in the map below. They served as initiators and/or trainers of almost a dozen of those groups. In these early trainings, they have applied [[Interactive Management]], the methodology they have learned from their participation in the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]] and especially from [[Benjamin Broome]], a student of [[John N. Warfield]]. [[Interactive Management]] is the predecessor of what later became knows as [[Structured Democratic Dialogue]]. A strong supported in these initiatives was [[ Cyprus Fulbright Commission]] and especially its Director [[Daniel Hadjittofis]], who became a close friend of the center and also served as member of its Board between 1994-2001. | ||
Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
The letter was signed by [[Harry Anastasiou]], at the time already member of the Board of [[Future Worlds Center]], on behalf of the Greek Cypriot community. Sadly, it took the UN almost 3 years to put in place a funding support scheme. By December 1997 all bi-communal meetings were banned by the Turkish Cypriot Authorities following the EU’s decision to postpone accession negotiations with Turkey (summit meeting in Luxembourg, December 1997). [[Harry Anastasiou|Harry]] and [[Yiannis Laouris|Yiannis]] | The letter was co-signed by [[Harry Anastasiou]], at the time already member of the Board of [[Future Worlds Center]], on behalf of the Greek Cypriot community. Sadly, it took the UN almost 3 years to put in place a funding support scheme, a time by which the peace movement was virtually extinct. By December 1997 all bi-communal meetings were banned by the Turkish Cypriot Authorities following the EU’s decision to postpone accession negotiations with Turkey (summit meeting in Luxembourg, December 1997). [[Harry Anastasiou|Harry]] and [[Yiannis Laouris|Yiannis]], pioneered however in building bridges and continuing collaborations and friendships across the [[Green Line]] by using technology. Already in July 1996, [[Yiannis Laouris]], Mustafa Anlar, Lefteris Neoptolemou and Dervis Besimler all members of the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]], planned and materialized an Internet Workshop for students[2]. Subsequently, in August 1997, [[Yiannis Laouris|Yiannis]] and [[Harry Anastasiou|Harry]] in coordination with their counterparts in the North, Dervis Besimler and Bekir Azgin, founded what the [[Technology for Peace|Tech4Peace]] portal. It should be noted that Cyprus was one of the last countries to connect to the Internet, partly because of a monopoly of the state-owned Telecommunications Company and partly because of the communications embargo imposed by the authorities. In July 1998 [[Technology for Peace]] held its first Internet Training Workshop in Nicosia, Cyprus, jointly organized by the [[Institute of World Affairs]]. In 1997, a USAID grant ($12,000 for the Greek Cypriot side) to Dr. [[Hrach Gregorian]] of the [[Institute of World Affairs]], who has been collaborating with the two sides of the Tech4Peace initiative, was used to purchase for two computers, in the South and four in the North, a server in the States, rent for space and internet fees for six months, and modest facilitators' remunerations. | ||
, it has proposed to the Planning Bureau the creation of a bicommunal internet service provider. The American Ambassador | , it has proposed to the Planning Bureau the creation of a bicommunal internet service provider. The American Ambassador |