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

[[Future Worlds Center]], earlier known as [[Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute]], together with its technology partner [[CYBER KIDS]] has engaged in peace-related initiatives as early as 1994. Its founder, [[Yiannis Laouris]] was one of the participants of early peace projects such as [[The Westminster Group]], [[Bicommunal Conflict Resolution Group (Project Leaders I)]], [[Bicommunal Conflict Resolution Group (Project Leaders II)]], and [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]]. Between 1994 and 1997, the center has provided generous logistical and technological support, and has also hosted countless meetings. [[Harry Anastasiou]], another historic member of many early peace initiatives and especially the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]]<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Conflict_Resolution_Trainers_Group The Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group in Wikipedia]</ref>, which is credited for the formation of the embryonic peace movement in Cyprus, has joined powers when Harry was invited to join [[CYBER KIDS]] as Head of the CYBER KIDS Curriculum Development Unit<ref>[http://www.cyber-kids.net/index.php?title=CYBER_KIDS_Curriculum_Development_Unit CYBER KIDS Curriculum Development Unit in CYBER KIDS Wiki]</ref>. A strong supporter of their initiatives was the Director of the [[ Cyprus Fulbright Commission]] [[Daniel Hadjittofis]], who became a close friend of the center and also served as member of its Board between 1994-2001.

[[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 2,000 citizens in peace and conflict resolution, as summarised in the diagram below.  This historical map was developed by [[Yiannis Laouris]] using the results of a workshop of the Group, which took place on 4 October 1997. The purpose of the workshop was to summarize the activities of the group and catalog all bicommunal initiatives starting from 1974. It was presented publicly in the occasion of a celebration organized by the 15 foreign embassies in Cyprus to honor the members of the group<ref>Laouris, Yiannis and Laouri, Romina (2008) 'Can Information and Mobile Technologies Serve to Close the Economic, Educational, Digital, and Social gaps and Accelerate Development?', World Futures, 64:4, 254 — 275. See pg 273-275 [[Can Information and mobile technologies serve close the economic, educational, digital and social gaps and accelerate development?|Download]]</ref>. Ironically, the media, especially in the North, accused them for ''waking up'' and provoking Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to ban bi-communal meetings<ref>Laouris, Y., Michaelides, M., Damdelen, M., Laouri, R., Beyatli, D., & Christakis, A. (2009). A systemic evaluation of the state of affairs following the negative outcome of the referendum in Cyprus using the structured dialogic design process. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 22(1), 45-75. Footnote on pg. 47</ref>! 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]].  

[[File:TrainersLetterToUN.jpg|400px]]

 

 

Following the ban of cross visits and the disruption of the peace movement, two of [[Future Worlds Center]]'s projects played a significant role in breaking the impasse, [[Technology for Peace]] by using technology to facilitate communication and coordination, and [[Youth Promoting Peace]]. A [[Y2P: Tree Planting 2000|tree Planting event]], which took place in February 2000, was probably one of the first events ever organized in Pyla and therefore opened the door for more other events to follow. The  group, which was facilitated by [[Yiannis Laouris]], subsequently organized 23 mass events engaging thousands of young and adult people, enjoying significant visibility in the news.

* [[Technology for Peace]]: This included 4 different grants:

==Peace Initiatives between 2003 and 2005: Breaking the ban of physical meetings==

* [[Young Journalists Project]]: Took 10 (5 Turkish and 5 Greek Cypriots) in Washington DC for a 6-week training in modern journalism, and culminated with the co-organization of the [[HasNa Media Symposium May 2003]].

* [[Reconciliation Now!]]

* [[Talk of the Island]]

* [[Towards a New Media Landscape]]

==Peace Initiatives between 2005 and today: Opening up to the world==

* [[Civil Society Dialogue Project in Cyprus]]: This larhe-scale project took place between 2006 and 2008 in the Middle East.

* [[JUMPSTART the Peace]]: A youth project that involved buses travelling through the whole island with Turkish and Greek Cypriots participating in jointly organized events and parties.