JUMPSTART the Peace: Difference between revisions

‘Jumpstart Youth Peace Campaign in Cyprus’ offerred the opportunity to Turkish-Cypriot and Greek-Cypriot youth to participate together in capacity-building trainings and become actively involved in the organization and implementation of activities around youth- related issues, in the areas of Human Rights, Environment and Entertainment. The project culminated  with the implementation of a “Jumpstart” Peace and Reconciliation bus tour with activities at different destinations

Young people, recruited in the project had the chance to participate in a series of trainings, expected to provide them with skills and knowledge on how to organize and implement small –scale projects around youth-related issues. Trainings focused on the following areas: a) Team-building and leadership, b) Conflict resolution, c) Campaigning and PR, d) Human Rights and advocacy, e) Intercultural learning

Three small-scale bi-communal projects have been implemented by the participating youth expected to help participants explore issues relating to Human Rights,Intercultural Learning, and Active Citizenship. These small scale-projects included: a) a panel discussion titled " Project stories" in which active youth leaders from Turkish-Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities shared their experience and vision with the public regarding projects they have implemented, b) an interactive art workshop in which participants from different communities of the island communicated their perceptions on multiculturalism by means of painting on a big canvas, c) a visit to the archaeological site of Curium in Limassol during which participants from different communities explored narratives of culture relating to the site.

A bus decorated with peace symbols created by the participants - travelled to different destinations all around the island, carrying youth who conducted and participated in various activities at different locations. The activities conducted have been proposed by participating youth leaders, and focused on the areas of Human Rights, Environment and Entertainment. The bus tour travelled during four consecutive weekends. Participants visited Famagusta, Lapithos/ Lapta area in the North, Limassol and Paphos areas in the South. In Famagusta and Limassol

During the visits to Lapithos/ Lapta and Paphos participants from Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot communities explored the natural environment and discussed issues pertaining to environmental sustainability in the area. In Paphos participants had the unique opportunity to explore the environmenmtally protected area of Akamas together with experienced trainers from'Cyprus Environmental Studies Center'.  

A youth symposium has been implemented that brought together all participants, partners and community members to celebrate the success of the project and its Peace Bus Tour. Participants being involved at different stages of the project shared their experiences, celebrated their achievements and promised to follow-up with future initiatives.