Future Worlds Center: A pioneer in peace initiatives: Difference between revisions

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).

Following the ban of all cross visits, [[Harry Anastasiou|Harry]] and [[Yiannis Laouris|Yiannis]], pioneered in building bridges and supporting collaborations and friendships across the [[Green Line]] 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<ref>[http://www.futureworlds.eu/wiki/File:BICOM_GROUPS_MAP_6_99A3.jpg July 1996 in the Map above]</ref>. 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 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. In July 1998 [[Technology for Peace]] held its first Internet Training Workshop in Nicosia, Cyprus, jointly organized by the [[Institute of World Affairs]]. The project offered the first bicommunal e-mail server and equipped peacebuilders with free and totally secured e-mails. The project has also hosted many meetings, implemented internet trainings and supported other initiatives. Later, it hosted pages for all initiatives.  

Also in 1998, [[Yiannis Laouris|Yiannis]] and [[Harry Anastasiou|Harry]] have also tried to set up a non-profit bicommunal ISP node that, in collaboration with the [[Cyprus Development Bank]], applied for European funds through the [[Cyprus Planning Bureau]]. Unfortunately, the initiative hit on the stubborn walls of the authorities. Characteristically, "the person in charge explained that for the project to be considered for funding, according to EU and UN guidelines, it had to be “purely” bi-communal. When we ensured him that it really was, he continued to explain that if it “really was bicommunal” then the government would do anything in its endeavor to stop it because it will constitute a violation of the embargo imposed against the North<ref>Laouris, Y. (2004). Information technology in the service of peace building: The case of Cyprus. World Futures, 60(1 & 2), 67–79</ref>." Neither the direct involvement nor support of the American Ambassador and the president of International World Affairs, nor our willingness to commit to 50% of the needed investment made any difference<ref>Note 12, pg 78 of previous reference</ref>.

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