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History and founding of Y2P
When a number of teenagers, participated in conferences both in Cyprus and abroad, they were able to lay the seeds in founding a youth organization known as Youth Promoting Peace (Y2P). An original meeting which took place in Hawaii spurred two teenagers to do “something more”, to try to change things in Cyprus and to bring the young people of the two communities closer together. More conferences, which took place both in Cyprus and abroad gave the necessary inspiration and confidence to found the group and declare the dedication of its members to work for peace both in Cyprus and in the world. Since the inception of Y2P, the group has focused its efforts on the rapprochement between the two communities in Cyprus and the creation of bridges of communication, tolerance and understanding between the Greek Cypriots (GC) and the Turkish Cypriots (TC). A positive coinidence brought a senior facilitator Dr. Yiannis Laouris in contact with the early pioneers. Laouris was trained by international peace builders like Dr. Louis Diamond and Dr. Benjamin Broome. Equipped with extensive experience in facilitation of groups, being one of the Fulbright trained Senior Trainers, and having participated in many bi-communal activities and in lots of conferences both in Cyprus and abroad, he was able to respond to the needs of the group. At the same time, he was able to provide necessary information, knowledge, encouragment and positiveness in order to preserve and expand the enthusiasm of the young entrepreneurs. What is Y2P?
Y2P was inspired, designed and operated by youth
Y2P is a youth project, it is a project inspired, designed and operated by young people who want to raise their voices for their future. Y2P has developed into a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), an independent, non-politcal and non-profitable organization formed by youth initiatives, lead by the youth and governed by the youth. A highlight in the development of Y2P was achieved in 1999 when the group secured a USAID grant that was awarded through United Nations Development Program to CNTI: Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute. CNTI acts as an umbrella organization for a number of bicommunal projects and activities. Y2P has the strong support of many other bicommunal groups and especially the NGO Support Center, which kindly provides space amd infrustructure for meetings and workshops, the Technology for Peace group which hosts electronically all its activities, the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group, which kindly provides facilitation during workshops, the Citizen’s movement for Re-unification and co-existance which provides networking, as well as many others.
Y2P Vision and Objectives
The vision of Y2P is significant to both communities. However, its vision and objectives do not only have an impact for the youth of the two communities but for all the citizens of the country. The vision of the group is to lay the foundations for a better and safer future through a number of bicommunal activities, which aim to bring the youth of the two communities in Cyprus, the GC and the TC closer together, to promote the principles of tolerance, mutual respect and common understanding. The young members of the organization envision enhancing the prospect of living in a place, which is not separated into two different parts, which has no limitations of any kind. Bringing the GC and TC young people together is not an easy task. The young group members have to find ways to connect on the basis that they have common things, whether those are experiences, problems, fears and questions about the future. This is why one of Y2P objectives are the creation of bridges of communication between the GC and TC youth and the promotion of long lasting friendships. At the same time Y2P tries to promote the development of the feeling of mutual respect and common understanding.
Y2P as a “molecule” of Cyprus future civil society
Y2P played an important role not only for its members but also for the whole community. This youth group has created new and exciting pathways to facilitate the cooperation of all bicommunal youth groups of Cyprus and to elevat their various activities to a community level thus preparing them to act and behave as active citizens in the emerging civil society of Cyprus. Their activites have enchanced cooporation, interaction and teamwork between existing bicommunal youth groups, have attracted people from various ethnic groups to participate and deepen their understanding of the notion of communication, solidarity, human rights, democracy and the role of the active citizen. Y2P has managed to change the society’s attitudes. It brought not only teenagers of the two comminities together but also adults. The group promotes principles of tolerance through conferences and events of undertsanding. The existance of the group itself in a small society like Cyprus has a great impact to the community since it has raised questions regarding education, forgiveness, history etc. However, most of all Y2P has given hope to the small society of Cyprus. It gives hope to those who believe that Cyprus doesn’t have a peacful future. It makes people understand that young people have voice, have ideas, have beliefs and can make a difference. The youth is the future and it is necessary to build on them. If the society does not give them a chance to express their ideas and hear their opinions then, they will loose hope and they will stop believing that chances are possible. If the young generation looses hope, then who will challenge system, who will challenge the political parties, who will challenge world ideas, who will love this world? The youth of today have realized that it is their responsibility to halt the conflict, which perpetuates from the past and that it is they who will shape their future through promising initiatives, which will set the beginning of a new era for Cyprus.
Table of all events
| Dates | Title of Event/Short Description | Participants | Location | Duration | Main organizer(s) | Person in charge | Collaborating organizations | Sources of funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-Feb-2000 | Tree Planting | 200 | Pyla | 1 day | Y2P | Dimitris Tsaousis | CYBER KIDS, Coca Cola | |
| 26-Mar-2000 | Youth Festival | 800 | Pergamos Park – Pyla | 1 day | Y2P, YEP | Athos Violaris | Seeds of Peace, SIT | CYBER KIDS |
| 30-Sep-2000 | Rock Festival | 800 | Pergamos Park Pyla | 1 day | Y2P, YEP, Seeds of Peace, SIT | Nikoletta Koutsakou | UNDP/UNOPS, CYBER KIDS | |
| 1-Apr-2002 | Music Festival: Bands for Peace | 700 | Pergamos Park Pyla | 1 day | Y2P, YEP, Seeds of Peace, SIT | Nikoletta Koutsakou | ||
| 1-Jun-2002 | Conference: Cyprus in the European Union: Socioeconomic Impact and New Opportunities for the Youth | 300 | Nicosia-South | 1 day | Y2P | Nikoletta Koutsakou | Cyprus Youth Board | UNDP/UNOPS, Cyprus Youth Board |
| 1-Jul-2002 | Euromed seminar: “Different but United against Racism and Xenophobia” | 4 | Israel | 5 days | Y2P | Nikoletta Koutsakou | European Commission | |
| 1-Sep-2002 | Participation to Bi-communal Forum Celebrations | 10 delegates | Ledra Palace | 1 day | Bi-communal Youth Forum | Marios Antoniou | All Youth Branches of Political Parties | Cyprus Youth Board |
| 30 Sept. 2002 | Rock Festival “Cyprus Peace Day” | 500 | Pergamos Park Pyla | 1 day | Y2P, YEP | Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS | |
| 2001-completed Nov 2002 | Y2P Movie “Shadows of Dream” | Projected to 300 young people in different occasions | Marios Antoniou, Nikoletta Koutsakou, Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS | ||||
| Nov. 2002 | Bi-communal Workshop “Annan Plan: Prospects and Expectations” | 30 | Pyla | 1 day | Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS | ||
| Dec. 2002 | Production of Y2P CD Rom | Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS, EKKOTEK | |||||
| 29 Dec. 2002 | Bi-communal New Years Party | 200 | Pyla | 1 day | Y2P | Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS | |
| Dec. 2002 | Participation to a Euromed Contact Making Seminar - Ankara | 1 delegate | Turkey | 5 days | European Commission | Turkey’s National Youth Agency | European Commission | |
| 6 Jan. 2003 | Weekly Peace Marches from the Presidential House to Ledra’s Street | 50 each time | Nicosia-South | Once per week for 4 times | Y2P | Xenia Constantinou | CNTI | |
| 22 Febr. 2003 | Workshop: “Development of Dialogue, Negotiation Skills and Conflict Resolution Techniques for the Youth” | 20 | Paphos | 1 day | Y2P | Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS | |
| 15-Mar-2003 | Workshop: “Development of Dialogue, Negotiation Skills and Conflict Resolution Techniques for the Youth” | 20 | Limassol | 1 day | Y2P | Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS | |
| 23-Mar-2003 | Mass event: “Fly A Kite for Peace” | 300 | Pergamos Park, Pyla | 1 day | Y2P | Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS | |
| 12-May-2003 | Conference: “Education in Cyprus in View of the Forthcoming Political Settlement” | 80 | Nicosia-South | 1 day | Y2P | Xenia Constantinou | Youth Information Center | UNDP/UNOPS, Youth Information Center |
| 30-May-2003 | Bi-communal Youth “Showcase”, presentation of Y2P | 5 delegates | Nicosia - Fulbright | 1 day | UNDP/UNOPS | Munevver Guzoglu, Xenia Constantinou | Fulbright | |
| 14-Jun-2003 | Workshop: “Development of Dialogue, Negotiation Skills and Conflict Resolution Techniques for the Youth” | 20 | Nicosia - North | 1 day | Y2P | Munevver Guzoglu | UNOPS | |
| 22-Jun-2003 | Bi-communal tour to the South | 30 | Protaras – Ayia Napa | 1 day | Y2P | Munevver Guzoglu, Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS | |
| 29-Jun-2003 | Bicommunal Workshop Nicosia - South“Development of Dialogue, Negotiation Skills and Conflict Resolution Techniques for the Youth” | 25 | Nicosia-South | 1 day | Y2P | Munevver Guzoglu, Xenia Constantinou | UNOPS | |
| 1-Jul-2003 | Bi-communal Round table discussion | 2 delegates | Nicosia - Fulbright | 1 day | American Embassy | Munevver Guzoglu, Xenia Constantinou | Fulbright | |
| 6-12 July 2003 | Euromed Seminar: Finding Common Ground: Conflict Resolution & Mediation through Focusing on the Environment | 55 | Pafos – Nicosia - Kerynia | 6 days | Y2P | Xenia Constantinou, Daphne Anastasiades | Development Agency of Karditsa – Greece, Green Course – Israel, International Palestinian League – Palestine, Peace Child International –UK, ETSSA Youth Center-Egypt, Rainbow Bridge – Poland, Global Economic Connection-Germany | European Commission, UNDP/UNOPS, Cyprus Telecommunications Authority, Bank of Cyprus, Cyprus Tourism Organization, Nicosia Busses, Nicosia municipalities, Coca Cola, KEO, Goodys, |
| 23-25 August 2003 | Camping - Workshop “Development of Dialogue, Negotiation Skills and Conflict Resolution Techniques for the Youth” | 40 | Kerynia-Lapta | 3 days | Kayad – Y2P | Munevver Guzogly | UNDP/UNOPS | |
| 17-21 Sept. 2004 | Launching of the Euro-Med Platform | 1 delegate | Malta | 4 days | European Commission | Malta’s National Youth Agency | European Commission | |
| 28-Sep-2003 | PicNic, Souvles for Peace | 40 | Nicosia-South | 1 day | Y2P | Marios Antoniou, Levent Kizilduman, Xenia Constantinou | entrance fee | |
| 30-Sep-2003 | Futsal & Basketball Competition | 100 | Nicosia South | 1 day | Y2P | Xenia Constantinou, Ugurcan Yasamsal | American Academy | UNDP/UNOPS & entrance fee |
| 30-Sep-2003 | Bi-communal Cultural Festival | 200 | Nicosia – Ledra Palace | 1 day | All bi-communal groups | Nicos Anastasiou, Xenia Constantinou | Civil Society & UNOPS | |
| 18-Oct-2003 | Participation to UN Day | 10 | Nicosia – Ledra Palace | 1 day | UN | U.N. | ||
| 29-Oct-2003 | Workshop “Development of Dialogue, Negotiation Skills and Conflict Resolution Techniques for the Youth” | 20 | Famagusta – City Hall | 1 day | Y2P | Ugurcan Yasamsal | Famagusta Municipality | UNDP/UNOPS |
| 28-Nov-2003 | Movie Projection “Shadows of Dream” – Y2P Production, bi-lingual | 30 | Nicosia - South | 1 day | Y2P | Marios Antoniou | Mea Culpa Cafe | UNDP/UNOPS |
| 29-Nov-2003 | Workshop “Development of Dialogue, Negotiation Skills and Conflict Resolution Techniques for the Youth” | 20 | Larnaca | 1 day | Y2P | Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS | |
| 28-Dec-2003 | Bi-communal New Year’s Party | 150 | Nicosia | 1 day | Y2P | Xenia Constantinou, Ugurcan Yasamsal | entrance fee | |
| 20-Feb-2004 | Bi-communal Carnival Party | 100 | Nicosia | 1 day | Y2P | [[[Xenia Constantinou]], Ugurcan Yasamsal | entrance fee | |
| 1-May-2004 | “YES” Campaign | 100 | Nicosia | 2 months | Y2P under Solution Now Platform | Levent Kizilduman, Xenia Constantinou | funding from private sources, individuals and companies | |
| 9-May-2004 | Mass Event: Europe Day Celebrations | 100 | Famagusta | 1 day | Y2P | Levent Kizilduman, Xenia Constantinou | UNDP/UNOPS& HasNa Inc. | |
| 18-Jun-2004 | Meeting with the Minister of Education – South Mr. Paukios Georgiades | 2 delegates | Nicosia –South | Y2P | Levent Kizilduman, Xenia Constantinou | |||
| 2-Jul-2004 | Meeting with the Minister of Education – North Mr. Erbil Akbil | 2 delegates | Nicosia-North | Y2P | Levent Kizilduman, Xenia Constantinou | |||
| 24-Jul-2004 | Presentation of Y2P at SIT Vermont Camps | 2 delegates | Vermont - USA | three hours | Fulbright | Marios Antoniou, Xenia Constantinou | Fulbright | |
| 30-Jul-2004 | Workshop: “The Role of Media in the Cyprus Conflict” | 22 | Kerynia | 2 days | Y2P | Melaina Spitzer, Levent Kizilduman, Xenia Constantinou | HasNa Inc.- Cyprus | HasNa Inc. |
Important Contributions of Y2P
- Changed society’s attitudes
- Brought teenagers from the 2 communities together
- Showed common things two the youth, connect on common grounds – violence, crime, drugs, AIDS
- Offered an example for peace education
- Promoted principles of tolerance – through conferences, events of understanding
- The uniqueness of the members themeselves – have been good educated, took part in peace building conferences, mediation, conflict resolution etc. had an impact not only to the youth but also the entire society, political parties, decision making, democracy – raised questions, education – peace education, politics – time fo change
- Demonstrated how the youth can also work with the UN
- Their example encouraged many other organizations to fund, support and advertise Y2P ‘s events; e.g., Fulbright, cyprus youth organizations, Cyber Kids etc.