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[1], 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[2].
Peace Initiatives between 1994 and 1997
Harry and 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 4,000 citizens in peace and conflict resolution, summarised in the map below. 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. A strong supported in these initiatives was Cyprus Fulbright Commission and especially its Director Daniel Hadjittofis, who became a close friend of the center and also served as member of its Board between 1994-2001.
The work of this group culminated with the decision to request the formal support if the UN sent in the form of a letter in February 1997.
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).
Peace Initiatives between 1998 and 2002
Following the ban of all cross visits, Harry and Yiannis, pioneered in building bridges and supporting collaborations and friendships across the Green Line by 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[2]. Subsequently, in August 1997, Yiannis and Harry in coordination with their counterparts in the North, Dervis Besimler and Bekir Azgin, founded what the 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 July 1998 Technology for Peace held its first Internet Training Workshop in Nicosia, Cyprus, jointly organized by the Institute of World Affairs. 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. 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 and 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 NorthCite error: Closing </ref>
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tag." Neither the direct involvement nor support of the American Ambassador and the president of International World Affairs, nor our willing- ness to commit to 50% of the needed investment made any difference.
12 Third, we set up probably
, it has proposed to the Planning Bureau the creation of a bicommunal internet service provider. The American Ambassador