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Technology for Peace: Difference between revisions
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|funding_period= | |funding_period= | ||
|coordinator=[[Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute]] | |coordinator=[[Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute]] | ||
|funding_agency=[[UNDP/UNOPS]]<br>[[United States Institute of Peace|USIP]]<br>[[USAID]] | |funding_agency=[[UNDP/UNOPS]]<br>[[United States Institute of Peace|USIP]]<br>[[USAID]]<br>[[Cyber Kids]] | ||
|total_cost= | |total_cost= | ||
|partners= | |partners= | ||
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The project began in 1996 with two activities which were practically funded by their participants: | The project began in 1996 with two activities which were practically funded by their participants: | ||
A bicommunal virtual organisation (known as UCM: United Cyprus Movement) has been set-up on the Internet to discuss matters of general interest and attempt to inform and recruit Cypriots (both Turkish and Greek) who | A bicommunal virtual organisation (known at the time as UCM: United Cyprus Movement) has been set-up on the Internet to discuss matters of general interest and attempt to inform and recruit Cypriots (both Turkish and Greek) who lived abroad. The software for automating the workings of this virtual community was partly designed and developed by Greek Cypriot [[Yiannis Laouris]] and Turkish Cypriot [[Turgut Durduran]]. The whole system was hosted in various university servers (USA, Australia), but since 1997 it became a "refugee project" because the expenses rose to a level that the participants couldn’t afford. | ||
In August 1997, | In August 1997, [[Yiannis Laouris|Laouris]] and [[Harry Anastasiou|Anastasiou]] (from the Greek Cypriot side) in coordination with their counterparts in the North, [[Dervis Besimler|Besimler]] and {Bekir Azgin|Azgin]], together with other members of the Technology for Peace (TFP) Initiative from both communities, and all members of the [[Cyprus Bicommunal Trainers Group]], planned and materialized an Internet Workshop for students<ref>Chart</ref>. This activity was funded (provision for space and snacks) by the [[Fulbright Commission]] and took place in the [[Fulbright Building]] in the Buffer zone. | ||
In 1997, a USIA grant ($12,000 for | In 1997, a USIA grant ($12,000 for the Greek Cypriot side) to Dr. [[Hrach Gregorian]] of [[International World Affairs Organisation]], who has been collaborating with the two sides of the TFP 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. Following two parallel workshops, and a follow-up for a six-month period of virtual negotiations and communication, the project was brought to existence and its significance and contributions became visible. | ||
The project also had the enthusiastic support of the | The project also had the enthusiastic support of the USAID representation in Cyprus Mrs. [[Judith Baroody]], it received great and positive attention by the media, by diplomats and of course, more importantly, it was embraced by the peace builders of both sides who gradually saw the potential and opportunity provided by cyberspace. | ||
A small follow-up grant by the USIP ($6,000 for | A small follow-up grant by the [[United States Institute of Peace|USIP]] ($6,000 for GC side) supported the purchase of two additional computers, and paid for internet connection fees during a workshop that took place in the summer of 98. This workshop signalled the new revised strategy of the TFP initiative, which was to involve and train active and existing members of bicommunal groups so that they could benefit from the potentials and advantages that virtual cyberspace infrastructures have to offer. | ||
In sum, the bicommunal project Technology for Peace has been in action since 1996. Its contribution to the rapprochement effort on the island had long been established and acknowledged, both by peace-building citizens in the two communities and by interested third parties. | |||
The vision which | The vision which underpinned the TFP Initiative was to enhance in Cyprus one of the most basic human rights, the right of communication between the two communities. | ||
The scope of the TFP Initiative | The scope of the TFP Initiative was to apply modern technology in the service of Peace with emphasis on the usage of internet and internet-based applications such as internet-phone and internet video conferencing, hosting peace related web pages and other relevant applications. | ||
The TFP project has already established sites in the respective communities. | The TFP project has already established sites in the respective communities. | ||
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Additionally, the other relation between TFP and CYBER Kids is that technical know-how required by TFP is sometimes drawn from the accumulated professional know-how of CYBER Kids without costs. | Additionally, the other relation between TFP and CYBER Kids is that technical know-how required by TFP is sometimes drawn from the accumulated professional know-how of CYBER Kids without costs. | ||
==Needs Assessment== | |||
As the political situation stands right now, the TFP project provides the only form of communication in a bicommunally structured system between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The ban on direct bicommunal contacts and events has consequently raised the TFP project to a new level of significance. For the first time, citizens engaged in peace building have in fact been able to sustain communication through periods of paralysis of the rapprochement efforts resulting from political reasons and impasse. Through e-mails and chatting they can now keep the citizen peace process alive, sustaining motivation through difficult times, while anticipating possible progress on the political level. In fact, a number of bicommunal groups which have been active through regular meetings are now requesting training and participation in the TFP project as the only means of sustaining communication and continuity for their work. | As the political situation stands right now, the TFP project provides the only form of communication in a bicommunally structured system between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. The ban on direct bicommunal contacts and events has consequently raised the TFP project to a new level of significance. For the first time, citizens engaged in peace building have in fact been able to sustain communication through periods of paralysis of the rapprochement efforts resulting from political reasons and impasse. Through e-mails and chatting they can now keep the citizen peace process alive, sustaining motivation through difficult times, while anticipating possible progress on the political level. In fact, a number of bicommunal groups which have been active through regular meetings are now requesting training and participation in the TFP project as the only means of sustaining communication and continuity for their work. | ||
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In addition to providing a sustainable means of communication, internet exposes peacebuilders from both communities to global information. The fact, for example, that within a few minutes, one can access first-hand information on most recent issues (e.g. EU-Cyprus relations, Palestinean-Israel disputes etc.) or read about the mission and activities of all types of organizations (e.g. Peace Centers, funding organizations, government agencies etc. world-wide). | In addition to providing a sustainable means of communication, internet exposes peacebuilders from both communities to global information. The fact, for example, that within a few minutes, one can access first-hand information on most recent issues (e.g. EU-Cyprus relations, Palestinean-Israel disputes etc.) or read about the mission and activities of all types of organizations (e.g. Peace Centers, funding organizations, government agencies etc. world-wide). | ||
==Project Description, Sustainability, Impact and bicommunality== | |||
===Training=== | |||
In light of the above perspective, activating and further expanding the TFP project is now a priority and urgent need. It is a fact that the full potential of TFP is far from realization because of two main reasons: a) a number of bicommunal groups are in queue waiting to be trained in using TFP to reactivate, enhance and expand their rapprochement activities, and b) more equipment is needed to meet the demand. | In light of the above perspective, activating and further expanding the TFP project is now a priority and urgent need. It is a fact that the full potential of TFP is far from realization because of two main reasons: a) a number of bicommunal groups are in queue waiting to be trained in using TFP to reactivate, enhance and expand their rapprochement activities, and b) more equipment is needed to meet the demand. | ||
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===Electronic Archives (web pages) and Strategies=== | |||
In a further series of workshops, the various bicommunal groups will create their web pages giving a profile of their work and activities and creating a virtual meeting and promotion place. This will entail a) design the electronic base for their home page with a great range of sub-pages reflecting the entire spectrum of their bicommunal activities and b) add the relevant textual-literary content for their pages. | In a further series of workshops, the various bicommunal groups will create their web pages giving a profile of their work and activities and creating a virtual meeting and promotion place. This will entail a) design the electronic base for their home page with a great range of sub-pages reflecting the entire spectrum of their bicommunal activities and b) add the relevant textual-literary content for their pages. | ||
