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       |acronym=Tech4Peace
       |acronym=Tech4Peace
       |logo=TFP_Logo2.jpg
       |logo=TFP_Logo2.jpg
       |project_title=Technology for Peace
       |project_title=[[Using Technology for Virtual Negotiation and Peace]]<br>[[Technology for Peace]]<br>[[Technology for Peace: Phase 2]]<br>[[Technology for Peace: Phase 3]]
      |contract_number=[[Using Technology for Virtual Negotiation and Peace]]<br>[[Technology For Peace: Phase 2]]<br>[[Technology For Peace: Phase 3]]
      |contract_number=
       |funding_period=
       |funding_period=May - July 1998<br>3/1/2001-2/1/2002<br>3/1/2002-30/4/2002<br>01/06/2002-31/05/2003
       |coordinator=[[Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute]]
       |coordinator=[[Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute]]<br>
       |funding_agency=[[UNDP/UNOPS]]<br>[[United Stated 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=
       |website=http://www.tech4peace.org
       |website=http://www.tech4peace.org<br>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_for_peace Technology for Peace in Wikipedia]
}}     
}}     




==Description==
==The Vision==
The project Technology For Peace (Tech4Peace) was envisioned and implemented in order to enhance one of the most basic human rights, the right of communication across the military barriers in Cyprus.
The project '''Technology For Peace''' (Tech4Peace) was envisioned and implemented in order to enhance one of the most basic human rights, the right of communication across the military barriers in Cyprus. It was "born" because it was needed. What led to its birth was neither
 
the availability of relevant technology nor the availability of funding, because both were simply not there! The ban of bi-communal meetings imposed by the Turkish Cypriot Authorities following the EU’s decision to postpone accession negotiations with Turkey (summit meeting in Luxembourg, December 1997) stopped our face-to-face dialogues and threatened to nullify all peace building efforts. An alternative means of communication across the border became necessary. At the same time, notwithstanding its status as a developed/ing country, Cyprus was one of the last countries to connect to the Internet. This was partly because of a monopoly of the state-owned Telecommunications Company and partly because of the communications
embargo imposed by the authorities.


==Founding members==
==Founding members==
The Tech4Peace project was founded as one of the projects selected for implementation during a Peace Bazaar organized by the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group in 1997 <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Conflict_Resolution_Trainers_Group#Cyprus_Peace_Bazaar Peace Bazaar in Wikipedia]</ref>. The members of the founding team were [[Yiannis Laouris]], [[Harry Anastasiou]], Dervis Besimler and Bekir Azgin. They were all members of the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]].
The Tech4Peace project was founded as one of the projects selected for implementation during [[The 1995 Agora Peace Bazaar]] organized by the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]] on June 24, 1995 during which the  [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]] invited in the premises of Ledra Palace others who had expressed interest in joining them in peace building efforts <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Conflict_Resolution_Trainers_Group#Cyprus_Peace_Bazaar Peace Bazaar in Wikipedia]</ref>. The members of the founding team were [[Yiannis Laouris]], [[Harry Anastasiou]], [[Dervis Besimler]] and [[Bekir Azgin]].  


===Historical Information===


1. Background Information
The Technology for Peace concept began as early as 1995 as a spin off from activities of the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]] as well as initiatives of US-based Cypriot students.:
 
#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.
The project began in 1996 with two activities which were practically funded by their participants:
#Members of the three groups  (Establish bi-communal center to teach Internet and Greek and Turkish languages; Organize bi-communal workshops on problem solving techniques for educationalists; Set up bi-communal training/research center on conflict resolution and problem solving) their June 1995 Agora organised by  [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]] teamed up with the internet group and created the Technology for Peace Initiative which organised a number of trainings.
 
#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 Chart]</ref>.  This activity was funded (provision for space and snacks) by the [[Cyprus Fulbright Commission]] and took place in the [[Fulbright Building]] in the Buffer zone.
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 live abroad.  The software for automating the workings of this virtual community was partly designed and developed by one of the applicants of the present application (Laouris) and a Turkish Cypriot (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,  [[Yiannis Laouris|Laouris]] and [[Harry Anastasiou|Anastasiou]] (from the Greek Cypriot side) in coordination with their counterparts in the North, [[Dervis Besimler]] and [[Bekir Azgin]], together with other members of the Technology for Peace Initiative from both communities founded the internet group, which became known as Tech4Peace.
 
#In July 1998 Technology for Peace held an [[Internet Training Workshop]] in Nicosia, Cyprus.  This training workshop was jointly organized by the [[Institute of World Affairs]] in Washington, D.C., and the Technology for Peace Group in Nicosia, Cyprus.
In August 1997, the applicants from the Greek Cypriot side (Laouris and Anastasiou) in coordination with their counterparts in the North (Besimler and Azgin), together with other members of the TFP Initiative from both communities, and all members of the Bicommunal Trainers Group, planned and materialized an Internet Workshop for students (see chart).  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 our side) to Mr. Hrach Gregorian (International World Affairs Organisation) who has been collaborating with the two sides of the TFP initiative, was used to pay 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.
In 1997, a [[USAID]] grant ($12,000 for the Greek Cypriot side) to Dr. [[Hrach Gregorian]] of the [[Institute of World Affairs]]<ref>[http://www.iwa.org/ Institute of World Affairs Web site]</ref>,  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.  Following two parallel workshops, and a follow-up for a six-month period of virtual negotiations in the context of the ICONS Project of the University of Maryland allowing Turkish- and Greek- Cypriots to participate in virtual negotiation workshops at a time when crossing the border was not possible<ref>Kaufman, J.P. (1998). Using Simulation as a Tool to Teach About International Negotiation. International Negotiation, 3:1, 59–75</ref>,<ref>Laouris, Y. (2004b). Information technology in the service of peace building: The case of Cyprus. World Futures, 60(1 & 2), 67–79</ref>) and communication, the project was brought to existence and its significance and contributions became visible.


The project also had the enthusiastic support of the USIA 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.
Tech4Peace enjoyed 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 our 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.
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 1998.  This workshop signalled the new revised strategy of the initiative, which was to involve and train active members of bicommunal groups so that they could benefit from the potentials and advantages that virtual cyberspace infrastructures had to offer.


The bicommunal project Technology For Peace (TFP) has been in action for some time now. Its contribution to the rapprochement effort on the island has long been established and fully acknowledged, both by peace-building citizens in the two communities and by interested third parties.  
Tech4Peace has also been supported both financially and in terms of man hours by its members. For example, while the funds for renting Internet Services have already been used up, the system continued to operate with subsidees from its members.  It has organised and hosted many seminars and workshops, organized many other activities and laid the foundations for the first organized infrastructure for the bicommunal world.  In contrast to its surprisingly numerous activities and significant contributions, it had been supported only by modest funds.


The vision which underpins the TFP Initiative is to enhance in Cyprus one of the most basic human rights, the right of communication  between the two communities.
[[CYBER KIDS]] has also supported the Tech4Peace project by donating funds and space. It hosted the project for 12 months at its own expense and offered technical know-how at no cost.


The scope of the TFP Initiative is 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.
===Needs Assessment at the time===


The TFP project has already established sites in the respective communities.
As the political situation stood at the time, the Tech4Peace project provided 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 had consequently raised the Tech4Peace project to a new level of significance. For the first time, citizens engaged in peace building had 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 could 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 had been active through regular meetings were then requesting training and participation in the Tech4Peace project as the only means of sustaining communication and continuity for their work.
In addition to the funds provided so far by Funding Organizations, the TFP has been supported both financially and in terms of man hours by its members. For example, while the funds for renting Internet Services have already been used up, the system continues to operate with subsidees from its members. It has organised and hosted many seminars and workshops, organized many other activities and laid the foundations for the first organized infrastructure for the bicommunal world. In contrast to its numerous activities and significant contributions so far, to this date, it has been supported only by modest funds.


Its support at this stage is crucial as its aims and resulting benefits are very wide and multifacet.  The fact that this type of activity is a priority is also being underlined by the fact that in all obstacle maps and vision maps generated by numerous bicommunal groups in the years 94-97 the issue of organized communication is always scattered in the priority regions (see example in Appendix).  
Using technology to promote communication and peace activities in a conflict area like Cyprus, in which physical access was restricted at the time, was a top priority on the agendas of those who wished to support rapprochment.  The need for communication between the two sides was obvious.  The fact that hundreds of people who were involved in bicommunal activities communicated through emails was to a large degree due to the fact that dozens of people received direct training by Tech4Peace and dozens of others regularly called and requested help, contact information or technical support by Tech4Peace.  Volunteers had invested hundreds of hours supporting all those who wished to stay in contact with the other side. It is probably worth noting that Internet was first made available in Cyprus in 1996, thus, the number of people who could capitalize on such technologies was indeed negligible at the time.


CYBER Kids has supported the TFP project by donating to the project funds and space. CYBER Kids hosted the project for over 12 months at its own expense and even at the completion of the period it continues to provide space until TFP succeeds to receive its own funding at which stage it will hopefully move to its own space.
It is probably fair to state that peace builders from both sides, viewed the initiative as their virtual "office" which provided them support at all levels.


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.
Moreover, a new Coordinating Group, led by [[Dinos Lordos]] had been formed in each respective community which was making full use of the group e-mailing system that was set up in the context of the initiative. The members of the Coordinating Group were working with their respective groups to introduce them in Tech4Peace and encourage them to use and benefit from its infrastructure.  In that context, sustaining and further developing the project had far reaching repercussions for the cause of peace in Cyprus, particularly by way of sustaining citizen involvement, in spite of the periodic political odds.


2. Needs Assessment
The facilities made available by Tech4Peace did not entail only a means of communication, but also a hi-tech type of infrastructure, which could be used for a vast range of projects and activities. In that sense, the need and also the opportunity of the project was to optimize its utilization by adding informational content to the system and inviting citizens to utilize it efficiently and effectively.


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.
In addition to providing a sustainable means of communication, internet exposed peacebuilders from both communities to global information. The fact, for example, that within a few minutes, one could 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).


Using technology to promote communication and peace activities in a conflict area like Cyprus, in which physical access is restricted, is a top priority on the agendas of those who wish to support rapprochment.  The need for communication between the two sides is obvious.  The fact that now hundreds of people who were involved in bicommunal activities communicate through emails is to a large degree due to the fact that dozens of people received direct training by TFP and dozens of others regularly call and request help, contact information or technical support by TFP.  TFP Volunteers have invested hundreds of hours supporting all those who wished to stay in contact with the other side.
==Key Activities==


It is needless to underline the fact that peace builders from both sides, view the TFP initiative as their virtual "office" which provides them support at all levels and they expect this office to become more efficient and more active.
===Training===


Moreover, a new Coordinating Group has been formed in each respective community which is making full use of the group e-mailing system that we have set up in the context of the TFP project (currently, the members of the Coordinating Group are working with their respective groups to introduce them in TFP and encourage them to use and benefit from the infrastructure that TFP is creating).  In this context sustaining and further developing of the TFP project has far reaching repercussions for the cause of peace in Cyprus, particularly by way of sustaining citizen involvement, in spite of the periodic political odds.
In light of the above perspectives, activating and further expanding the Tech4Peace project in 1997 was  then a crucial priority and urgent need.  It was a fact that the full potential of Tech4Peace was far from realization because of two main reasons:
# A number of bicommunal groups were in queue waiting to be trained in using Tech4Peace to reactivate, enhance and expand their rapprochement activities, and
# More equipment was needed to meet the demand.  


The facilities made available by TFP do not entail only a means of communication but also a hi-tech type of infrastructure which can now be used for a vast range of projects and activities. In this sense, the need and also the opportunity of the TFP project is to optimize its utilization by adding informational content to the system and to invite citizens to utilize it efficiently and effectively.  The first TFP facilities have now been set up and await for their utilization in purposeful bicommunal ways. The amount of informational content relevant to peace building that TFP can host is unlimited.  And the same is true that the number of currently participating citizens and groups is relatively small.  Now is therefore the time to reap the benefits from the TFP project that has been set up to host content and users optimally.  Without the suggested project, as the next step in place, the TFP project will in effect remain far underused in relation to its present potential.
Tech4Peace was subsequently funded through UNDP/UNOPS with three grants:
# [[Using Technology for Virtual Negotiation and Peace]]
# [[Technology for Peace: Phase 2]]
# [[Technology for Peace: Phase 3]]


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).
===Infrastructural Activities===


PART IV  Project Description, Sustainability, Impact and bicommunality
====Electronic Archives (web pages) and Strategies====


1. Training
In a series of workshops, the various bicommunal groups created their web pages giving a profile of their work and activities and creating a virtual meeting and promotion place.  This entailed:
* Designing the electronic base for their home page with a great range of sub-pages reflecting the entire spectrum of their bicommunal activities and
* Adding the relevant textual-literary content for their pages.


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.  
This process involved a combination of computer experts designing the electronic base of the Tech4Peace internet page(s) working together with active representatives of the various bicommunal groups who provided and prepared all the relevant information for the content. The objectives were:


More specifically, we request funding for a series of workshops, in which a number of active bicommunal groups, whose contacts have been abruptly terminated by political intervention since last December, can be reactivated through training in the use of the TFP facilities. (Note: Even if direct bicommunal contacts resume, the TFP facilities can add a vital efficiency dimension to the work  and communication between the bicommunal group members).
# Design all the essential pages to be prepared, and their electronic-thematic interrelationships, involving all the relevant persons representing the corresponding areas i.e. Archives of past conflict-resolution workshop results, a magazine section hosting articles on peace, policy scenarios for peace, a record of past bicommunal and peace events, announcements of upcoming events, a "library" of book lists on peace related issues, a page presenting official political documents of the two sides side-by-side including UN documents, a section on imaginative post-solution, news bulletins, etc., a creative ideas section, etc., etc.
# Designing the electronic base for the server that would host the page(s), and their interactive relationships, mostly by people versed in technical matters, graphic designers etc.
# Compilation of the content materials, classifications,  and uploads. There existed a mass of material, ideas and projects which were scattered and essentially unknown and inaccessible to the public and interested parties.
# Developing an on-line web-based system, which would permit the members of the various bicommunal groups to re-vote, thus changing their votes on certain questions based on changes in the real political arenas and the changing broader political environment of the Cyprus problem. The Interactive Management methodology introduced by Professor [[Benjamin Broome]] in Cyprus had been used to develop the first bicommunal vision maps, obstacle maps and options map. With this tool, Tech4Peace wanted to not only have a stationary picture of the three maps, but also a dynamic one that would reflect the changing phases that the Cyprus problem was going through. That would in essence provide a picture of how bicommunal consensus changes in time due to external factors (i.e. political environment, economic changes, crisis events, development of the peace movement etc.). Furthermore, the system would allow any Cypriot citizens from anywhere in the world to participate in a collective map, thus contributing to a Cypriot Bicommunal Peoples' Vision Map. This objective has not been achieved to the present day.


We suggest one initial training workshop to train trainers followed by a series of a few two-day workshops to train representative members of active bicommunal groups.  Their content and area of emphasis are explained in more detail below in Part VI.
===Workshops===


====Training practically all Bicommunal Groups to use internet====
Two-day workshops were organized to train key representative members of all bicommunal groups in using Internet and Technology For Peace Facilities, such as group e-mail, the TFP Virtual Negotiation Program etc. to facilitate their peace promoting work and coordinate their activities using Cyberspace.


2. Electronic Archives (web pages) and Strategies
====Cultivating a cyberspace culture and publicizing of activities====
In a series of small workshops, Tech4Peace identified, designed and developed the electronic base for Web Pages for each bicommunal group. Each group was encouraged and trained to assume responsibility in designing, developing using and promoting their own cyber office.


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.
====Publishing information====
Tech4Peace contributed in the collecting of content information on activities and work of all the bicommunal groups and up-loaded it on its Web Pages.  It also provided continuing technical support and technical advise to all groups.


This would involve a combination of computer experts designing the electronic base of the TFP internet page(s) working together with active representatives of the various bicommunal groups who will provide and prepare all the relevant information for the content.
==Attracting Interns from across the globe==
Many international students have been attracted to work as interns for the Technology for Peace project. Among them, most notable were:
* [[Akihiro Sando]]
* [[Astrid Blümlein]]
* [[Björn Rohde-Liebenau]]
* [[Isaac Kastellano]]
* [[Jenine Alexander]]
* [[Kerstin Wittig]]
* [[Larry Fergeson]]
* [[Pelin Aksoy]]
* [[Randolph Dilday]]
* [[Reinhard Eckert]]


Note: Alphabetic order




==References==
{{Reflist}}


The workshops will involve four major components:
1. Design all the essential pages to be prepared, and their electronic-thematic interrelationships, involving all the relevant persons representing the corresponding areas i.e. Archives of past conflict-resolution workshop results, a magazine section hosting articles on peace, policy scenarios for peace, a record of past bicommunal and peace events, announcements of upcoming events, a "library" of book lists on peace related issues, a page presenting official political documents of the two sides side-by-side including UN documents, a section on imaginative post-solution, news bulletins, etc., a creative ideas section, etc., etc.
2. Design the electronic base for the server that will host the TFP page(s), and their interactive relationships, mostly by people versed in technical matters, graphic designers etc.
3. Compile the content materials, classify them, process them and upload them. There exist already a mass of material, ideas and projects which are scattered and essentially unknown and inaccessible to the public and interested parties.
4. Develop an on-line web-based system, which will permit the members of the various bicommunal groups to re-vote, thus changing their votes on certain questions based on changes in the real political arenas and the changing broader political environment of the Cyprus problem. The Interactive Management methodology introduced by Professor Ben Broom in Cyprus has been used to develop the first bicommunal vision maps, obstacle maps and options map. With this tool, we will not only have a stationary picture of the three maps, but also a dynamic one that will reflect the changing phases that the Cyprus problem Is going through. We will thus be in a position to provide a picture of how bicommunal consensus changes in time due to external factors (i.e. political environment, economic changes, crisis events, development of the peace movement etc.). Furthermore, the system will allow any Cypriot citizens from anywhere in the world to participate in a collective map, thus contributing to a Cypriot Bicommunal Peoples' Vision Map.
Each of the above phases can in fact be broken down into a more detailed process.
3. Infrastructure
In order to meet the demands of the coming phases, the technological infrastructure of the project needs to be upgraded.  Previous funding was used for setting up four computers for training purposes, buying an ISDN Router to connect to an ISP, paying ISP connection fees for six months and covering logistics and seminar-related expenses.  For the next phase it is necessary to purchase a full size server (including its software) and connect this to the ISP via a leased line in order to improve performance and reduce costs.
Currently, the TFP project is sharing a server put in place by one of its supporting organizations (CYBER Kids).  When this project is supported, TFP will acquire its own server and connection facilities thus rendering it independent.
4. Significance and Sustainability
The TFP project already has a past history. Its development has now brought it to the point where it can provide a permanent electronically based infrastructure which can now host innumerable bicommunal projects and initiatives. In this sense, TFP is both a project in its own right and a facilitating tool for numerous other projects. The above mentioned characteristics thereby qualify the TFP as a project of optimal relevance and sustainability.
5. Bicommunality
As it appears throughout the proposal, TFP started as a bicommunal project from its conception. It is probably the first bicommunal project which received seed money which in fact has outlift the original effort and continues to exist making available framework and services.
6. Who are the coordinators
The coordinators of the project are experienced peace builders, key members of the intercommunal movement since 1990, sensitive about the numerous sensitivities of the Cyprus problem, and known for being practical and efficient in their approach.
Yet another uniqueness of the TFP is the fact that the original founders are now beginning to move in the background while training a new and broader group to gradually take over and expand the project. As part of the project intention in the minds of the founders, for this transitional process to be completed, the TFP project must now be funded and supported accordingly.
The requesting organization for the project in question is Technology for Peace. TFP is a bicommunal non-profit NGO, which in the South is currently under the umbrella of a non-profit research center (CNTI).  The goal is, in the near future, to form hopefully the first purely bicommunal NGO together with our counter parts in the North.
PART V  Beneficiaries
The importance of such a project is that it will provide a body of material and knowledge relevant to the peace efforts in Cyprus on which one can build further projects indefinitely.  It can make available, for the first time, world wide, an entire spectrum of information which gives the broader profile of the Cyprus situation and the range of peace building efforts and related culture. It can in effect provide a vital reference point for all those interested and working on the Cyprus problem at various levels ranging from citizens, professionals, academics, students, policy makers and third parties.
Especially for peace builders these sites would become a reference point that gives a bicommunal context for the problem and its possible solutions, one which provides information, ideas, and a culture in a peace enhancing framework.   
The numbers for each category of beneficiaries can in this sense extend indefinitely, in accordance with interest and initiative.
PART VI  Implementation arrangements
Phase 1:  Set up infrastructure and prepare trainers:
Set-up new server and connect to cyberspace via
leased line.
A two day workshop that involves active representatives of key bicommunal groups to prepare them to act as facilitators, organizers and trainers for all upcoming workshops.  Coordination with USA partner and preparation of plan of action and relevant materials.
Phase 2:  Train all Bicommunal Groups to use internet:
Two-day workshops to train key representative members of all bicommunal groups in using Internet and Technology For Peace Facilities, such as group e-mail, the TFP Virtual Negotiation Program etc. to facilitate their peace promoting work and coordinate their activities using Cyberspace.
Phase 3:  Cultivate a cyberspace culture and publicizing of activities
In a series of small workshops, identify, design and develop the electronic base for Web Pages for each bicommunal group.  Each group will be encouraged and trained to assume responsibility in designing, developing using and promoting their own cyber office.  In other words, groups will be encouraged to go beyond the simplistic development of web pages to the creation of a cyber space and cyber presence that will act as a place of coordination, discussion, data gathering information point, etc. for their activities.  Train a "webmaster" for each group who will be given virtual and physical access to the TFP equipment.
Continue collecting content information on activities and work of all the bicommunal groups and up-load it on the appropriate TFP Web Pages.  Provide continuing technical support and technical advise to all groups.


==Publications==
==Other Publications==
* Laouris, Y. and Tziapouras, G. (2002). Technology used for peace in Cyprus. Peacebuilding 3(3), 4-8.<br />
* Laouris, Y. and Tziapouras, G. (2002). Technology used for peace in Cyprus. Peacebuilding 3(3), 4-8.<br />
* Laouris, Y. (2004). Information technology in the service of peace building. The case of Cyprus. World Futures, 60, 67–79. <br />
* Laouris, Y., Laouri, R. and Christakis, A. (2008). Communication praxis for ethical accountability; The ethics of the tree of action. Syst Res Behav Sci 25(2), 331–348.<br />
 
* Laouris, Y. and Laouri, R. (2008). Can Information and mobile technologies serve close the economic, educational, digital and social gaps and accelerate development? World Futures, 64(4), 254-275.<br />
 
* Laouris about Technology and Peace Building (2001). In Marketa Geislerova (Ed): CYPRUS: SHARING THE CANADIAN EXPERIENCE OF LIVING TOGETHER, Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development, June 15-17, 2001, Larnaca, Cyprus, 7005.3E [http://www.futureworlds.eu/w/images/5/51/2001_Laouris_in_CanadianReport_AboutTFP.pdf Download].
==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:USAID Projects]]
[[Category:USAID Projects]]
[[Category:Projects with SDD]]
[[Category:Projects with SDD]]
[[Category:Peace Projects]]
[[Category:Peace organizations]]
[[Category:Research institutes]]
[[Category: FWC Spinoff]]

Latest revision as of 01:31, 10 February 2019

Tech4Peace
Tech4Peace
Contract Title Using Technology for Virtual Negotiation and Peace
Technology for Peace
Technology for Peace: Phase 2
Technology for Peace: Phase 3
Funding Period May - July 1998
3/1/2001-2/1/2002
3/1/2002-30/4/2002
01/06/2002-31/05/2003
Funding Agency UNDP/UNOPS
USIP
USAID
CYBER KIDS
Website http://www.tech4peace.org
Technology for Peace in Wikipedia



The Vision

The project Technology For Peace (Tech4Peace) was envisioned and implemented in order to enhance one of the most basic human rights, the right of communication across the military barriers in Cyprus. It was "born" because it was needed. What led to its birth was neither the availability of relevant technology nor the availability of funding, because both were simply not there! The ban of bi-communal meetings imposed by the Turkish Cypriot Authorities following the EU’s decision to postpone accession negotiations with Turkey (summit meeting in Luxembourg, December 1997) stopped our face-to-face dialogues and threatened to nullify all peace building efforts. An alternative means of communication across the border became necessary. At the same time, notwithstanding its status as a developed/ing country, Cyprus was one of the last countries to connect to the Internet. This was partly because of a monopoly of the state-owned Telecommunications Company and partly because of the communications embargo imposed by the authorities.

Founding members

The Tech4Peace project was founded as one of the projects selected for implementation during The 1995 Agora Peace Bazaar organized by the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group on June 24, 1995 during which the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group invited in the premises of Ledra Palace others who had expressed interest in joining them in peace building efforts [1]. The members of the founding team were Yiannis Laouris, Harry Anastasiou, Dervis Besimler and Bekir Azgin.

Historical Information

The Technology for Peace concept began as early as 1995 as a spin off from activities of the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group as well as initiatives of US-based Cypriot students.:

  1. 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.
  2. Members of the three groups (Establish bi-communal center to teach Internet and Greek and Turkish languages; Organize bi-communal workshops on problem solving techniques for educationalists; Set up bi-communal training/research center on conflict resolution and problem solving) their June 1995 Agora organised by Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group teamed up with the internet group and created the Technology for Peace Initiative which organised a number of trainings.
  3. 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]. This activity was funded (provision for space and snacks) by the Cyprus Fulbright Commission and took place in the Fulbright Building in the Buffer zone.
  4. In August 1997, Laouris and Anastasiou (from the Greek Cypriot side) in coordination with their counterparts in the North, Dervis Besimler and Bekir Azgin, together with other members of the Technology for Peace Initiative from both communities founded the internet group, which became known as Tech4Peace.
  5. In July 1998 Technology for Peace held an Internet Training Workshop in Nicosia, Cyprus. This training workshop was jointly organized by the Institute of World Affairs in Washington, D.C., and the Technology for Peace Group in Nicosia, Cyprus.


In 1997, a USAID grant ($12,000 for the Greek Cypriot side) to Dr. Hrach Gregorian of the Institute of World Affairs[3], 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. Following two parallel workshops, and a follow-up for a six-month period of virtual negotiations in the context of the ICONS Project of the University of Maryland allowing Turkish- and Greek- Cypriots to participate in virtual negotiation workshops at a time when crossing the border was not possible[4],[5]) and communication, the project was brought to existence and its significance and contributions became visible.

Tech4Peace enjoyed 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 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 1998. This workshop signalled the new revised strategy of the initiative, which was to involve and train active members of bicommunal groups so that they could benefit from the potentials and advantages that virtual cyberspace infrastructures had to offer.

Tech4Peace has also been supported both financially and in terms of man hours by its members. For example, while the funds for renting Internet Services have already been used up, the system continued to operate with subsidees from its members. It has organised and hosted many seminars and workshops, organized many other activities and laid the foundations for the first organized infrastructure for the bicommunal world. In contrast to its surprisingly numerous activities and significant contributions, it had been supported only by modest funds.

CYBER KIDS has also supported the Tech4Peace project by donating funds and space. It hosted the project for 12 months at its own expense and offered technical know-how at no cost.

Needs Assessment at the time

As the political situation stood at the time, the Tech4Peace project provided 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 had consequently raised the Tech4Peace project to a new level of significance. For the first time, citizens engaged in peace building had 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 could 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 had been active through regular meetings were then requesting training and participation in the Tech4Peace project as the only means of sustaining communication and continuity for their work.

Using technology to promote communication and peace activities in a conflict area like Cyprus, in which physical access was restricted at the time, was a top priority on the agendas of those who wished to support rapprochment. The need for communication between the two sides was obvious. The fact that hundreds of people who were involved in bicommunal activities communicated through emails was to a large degree due to the fact that dozens of people received direct training by Tech4Peace and dozens of others regularly called and requested help, contact information or technical support by Tech4Peace. Volunteers had invested hundreds of hours supporting all those who wished to stay in contact with the other side. It is probably worth noting that Internet was first made available in Cyprus in 1996, thus, the number of people who could capitalize on such technologies was indeed negligible at the time.

It is probably fair to state that peace builders from both sides, viewed the initiative as their virtual "office" which provided them support at all levels.

Moreover, a new Coordinating Group, led by Dinos Lordos had been formed in each respective community which was making full use of the group e-mailing system that was set up in the context of the initiative. The members of the Coordinating Group were working with their respective groups to introduce them in Tech4Peace and encourage them to use and benefit from its infrastructure. In that context, sustaining and further developing the project had far reaching repercussions for the cause of peace in Cyprus, particularly by way of sustaining citizen involvement, in spite of the periodic political odds.

The facilities made available by Tech4Peace did not entail only a means of communication, but also a hi-tech type of infrastructure, which could be used for a vast range of projects and activities. In that sense, the need and also the opportunity of the project was to optimize its utilization by adding informational content to the system and inviting citizens to utilize it efficiently and effectively.

In addition to providing a sustainable means of communication, internet exposed peacebuilders from both communities to global information. The fact, for example, that within a few minutes, one could 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).

Key Activities

Training

In light of the above perspectives, activating and further expanding the Tech4Peace project in 1997 was then a crucial priority and urgent need. It was a fact that the full potential of Tech4Peace was far from realization because of two main reasons:

  1. A number of bicommunal groups were in queue waiting to be trained in using Tech4Peace to reactivate, enhance and expand their rapprochement activities, and
  2. More equipment was needed to meet the demand.

Tech4Peace was subsequently funded through UNDP/UNOPS with three grants:

  1. Using Technology for Virtual Negotiation and Peace
  2. Technology for Peace: Phase 2
  3. Technology for Peace: Phase 3

Infrastructural Activities

Electronic Archives (web pages) and Strategies

In a series of workshops, the various bicommunal groups created their web pages giving a profile of their work and activities and creating a virtual meeting and promotion place. This entailed:

  • Designing the electronic base for their home page with a great range of sub-pages reflecting the entire spectrum of their bicommunal activities and
  • Adding the relevant textual-literary content for their pages.

This process involved a combination of computer experts designing the electronic base of the Tech4Peace internet page(s) working together with active representatives of the various bicommunal groups who provided and prepared all the relevant information for the content. The objectives were:

  1. Design all the essential pages to be prepared, and their electronic-thematic interrelationships, involving all the relevant persons representing the corresponding areas i.e. Archives of past conflict-resolution workshop results, a magazine section hosting articles on peace, policy scenarios for peace, a record of past bicommunal and peace events, announcements of upcoming events, a "library" of book lists on peace related issues, a page presenting official political documents of the two sides side-by-side including UN documents, a section on imaginative post-solution, news bulletins, etc., a creative ideas section, etc., etc.
  2. Designing the electronic base for the server that would host the page(s), and their interactive relationships, mostly by people versed in technical matters, graphic designers etc.
  3. Compilation of the content materials, classifications, and uploads. There existed a mass of material, ideas and projects which were scattered and essentially unknown and inaccessible to the public and interested parties.
  4. Developing an on-line web-based system, which would permit the members of the various bicommunal groups to re-vote, thus changing their votes on certain questions based on changes in the real political arenas and the changing broader political environment of the Cyprus problem. The Interactive Management methodology introduced by Professor Benjamin Broome in Cyprus had been used to develop the first bicommunal vision maps, obstacle maps and options map. With this tool, Tech4Peace wanted to not only have a stationary picture of the three maps, but also a dynamic one that would reflect the changing phases that the Cyprus problem was going through. That would in essence provide a picture of how bicommunal consensus changes in time due to external factors (i.e. political environment, economic changes, crisis events, development of the peace movement etc.). Furthermore, the system would allow any Cypriot citizens from anywhere in the world to participate in a collective map, thus contributing to a Cypriot Bicommunal Peoples' Vision Map. This objective has not been achieved to the present day.

Workshops

Training practically all Bicommunal Groups to use internet

Two-day workshops were organized to train key representative members of all bicommunal groups in using Internet and Technology For Peace Facilities, such as group e-mail, the TFP Virtual Negotiation Program etc. to facilitate their peace promoting work and coordinate their activities using Cyberspace.

Cultivating a cyberspace culture and publicizing of activities

In a series of small workshops, Tech4Peace identified, designed and developed the electronic base for Web Pages for each bicommunal group. Each group was encouraged and trained to assume responsibility in designing, developing using and promoting their own cyber office.

Publishing information

Tech4Peace contributed in the collecting of content information on activities and work of all the bicommunal groups and up-loaded it on its Web Pages. It also provided continuing technical support and technical advise to all groups.

Attracting Interns from across the globe

Many international students have been attracted to work as interns for the Technology for Peace project. Among them, most notable were:

Note: Alphabetic order


References

  1. ↑ Peace Bazaar in Wikipedia
  2. ↑ July 1996 in the Chart
  3. ↑ Institute of World Affairs Web site
  4. ↑ Kaufman, J.P. (1998). Using Simulation as a Tool to Teach About International Negotiation. International Negotiation, 3:1, 59–75
  5. ↑ Laouris, Y. (2004b). Information technology in the service of peace building: The case of Cyprus. World Futures, 60(1 & 2), 67–79


Other Publications

  • Laouris, Y. and Tziapouras, G. (2002). Technology used for peace in Cyprus. Peacebuilding 3(3), 4-8.
  • Laouris, Y., Laouri, R. and Christakis, A. (2008). Communication praxis for ethical accountability; The ethics of the tree of action. Syst Res Behav Sci 25(2), 331–348.
  • Laouris, Y. and Laouri, R. (2008). Can Information and mobile technologies serve close the economic, educational, digital and social gaps and accelerate development? World Futures, 64(4), 254-275.
  • Laouris about Technology and Peace Building (2001). In Marketa Geislerova (Ed): CYPRUS: SHARING THE CANADIAN EXPERIENCE OF LIVING TOGETHER, Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development, June 15-17, 2001, Larnaca, Cyprus, 7005.3E Download.

External links

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