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Future Worlds Center: A pioneer in peace initiatives (view source)
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[[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]]<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Conflict_Resolution_Trainers_Group The Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group in Wikipedia]</ref>, 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<ref>[http://www.cyber-kids.net/index.php?title=CYBER_KIDS_Curriculum_Development_Unit CYBER KIDS Curriculum Development Unit in CYBER KIDS Wiki]</ref>. A strong supporter of their initiatives was the Director of the [[ Cyprus Fulbright Commission]] [[Daniel Hadjittofis]], who became a close friend of the center and also served as member of its Board between 1994-2001. | [[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, because the focus on peace is one of its [[Constitutional and Value Policy: Special Focus in Promoting Peace| Constitutional and Value Policies]]. 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]]<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Conflict_Resolution_Trainers_Group The Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group in Wikipedia]</ref>, 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<ref>[http://www.cyber-kids.net/index.php?title=CYBER_KIDS_Curriculum_Development_Unit CYBER KIDS Curriculum Development Unit in CYBER KIDS Wiki]</ref>. A strong supporter of their initiatives was the Director of the [[ Cyprus Fulbright Commission]] [[Daniel Hadjittofis]], who became a close friend of the center and also served as member of its Board between 1994-2001. | ||
==Peace Initiatives between 1994 and 1997== | ==Peace Initiatives between 1994 and 1997== | ||
[[Harry Anastasiou|Harry]] and [[Yiannis Laouris|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 | [[Harry Anastasiou|Harry]] and [[Yiannis Laouris|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 2,000 citizens in peace and conflict resolution, as summarised in the diagram below. This historical map was developed by [[Yiannis Laouris]] using the results of a workshop of the Group, which took place on 4 October 1997. The purpose of the workshop was to summarize the activities of the group and catalog all bicommunal initiatives starting from 1974. It was presented publicly in the occasion of a celebration organized by the 15 foreign embassies in Cyprus to honor the members of the group<ref>Laouris, Yiannis and Laouri, Romina (2008) 'Can Information and Mobile Technologies Serve to Close the Economic, Educational, Digital, and Social gaps and Accelerate Development?', World Futures, 64:4, 254 — 275. See pg 273-275 [[Can Information and mobile technologies serve close the economic, educational, digital and social gaps and accelerate development?|Download]]</ref>. Ironically, the media, especially in the North, accused them for ''waking up'' and provoking Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to ban bi-communal meetings<ref>Laouris, Y., Michaelides, M., Damdelen, M., Laouri, R., Beyatli, D., & Christakis, A. (2009). A systemic evaluation of the state of affairs following the negative outcome of the referendum in Cyprus using the structured dialogic design process. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 22(1), 45-75. Footnote on pg. 47</ref>! Nonetheless, the members of this group served as initiators and/or trainers of about 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]]. | ||
Both [[Harry Anastasiou|Harry]] and [[Yiannis Laouris|Yiannis]] documented many of their experiences in their respective books, [[Masks of Demons]] by [[Yiannis Laouris]] and [[The Broken Olive Branch: Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict and the quest for Peace in Cyprus. Volume One: The Impasse of Ethnonationalism| The Broken Olive Branch Vol 1]], [[The Broken Olive Branch: Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict, and the Quest for Peace in Cyprus: Volume Two: Nationalism Versus Europeanization| The Broken Olive Branch Vol 2]] by [[Harry Anastasiou]]. | |||
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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 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. | ||
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[[File:TrainersLetterToUN.jpg| | [[File:TrainersLetterToUN.jpg|600px]] | ||
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====List of funded projects in this period==== | ====List of funded projects in this period==== | ||
* [[Using Technology for Virtual Negotiation and Peace]] | |||
==Peace Initiatives between 1999 and 2000: Breaking the ban of physical meetings== | ==Peace Initiatives between 1999 and 2000: Breaking the ban of physical meetings== | ||
Following the ban of cross visits and the disruption of the peace movement, two of [[Future Worlds Center]]'s projects played a significant role in breaking the impasse, [[Technology for Peace]] by using technology to facilitate communication and coordination, and [[Youth Promoting Peace]]. A [[Y2P: Tree Planting 2000|tree Planting event]], which took place in February 2000, was probably one of the first events ever organized in Pyla and therefore opened the door for more other events to follow. The group, which was facilitated by [[Yiannis Laouris]], subsequently organized 23 mass events engaging thousands of young and adult people, enjoying significant visibility in the news. The impact and importance of these projects has been recognized also in an evaluation completed by Nathan Associates on May 25, 2004<ref>Blue, R., Molldrem, V., Webster, C., Gonzales, A., Yucel, M., & Leventis, Y. (2004). Cyprus Bi-Communal Development Program Evaluation. Report for United States Agency for International Development. [[Media:NathanAssociatesReport.pdf|Download]]</ref>. Both projects have scored high, but more importantly the impact of the organization's projects compared to the funds received has scored a "9," ranking behind only by [[The Management Centre]] that received a "10," and far ahead of the [[Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics]] that received a "3" (see Table 6, pg. 37). | |||
====List of funded projects in this period==== | ====List of funded projects in this period==== | ||
* [[Youth Promoting Peace]]: This included 3 different grants: | |||
** [[Youth Promoting Peace: Bicommunal Youth Peace Activities]] | |||
** [[Youth Promoting Peace: Bicommunal Youth Peace Activities II]] | |||
** [[The Paphian Youth: A New Generation of Peace Builders]] | |||
* [[Technology for Peace]]: This included 3 different grants: | |||
** [[Technology for Peace]] | |||
** [[Technology for Peace: Phase 2]] | |||
** [[Technology for Peace: Phase 3]] | |||
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==Peace Initiatives between | ==Peace Initiatives between 2001 and 2004: Breaking the ban of physical meetings== | ||
====List of funded projects in this period==== | ====List of funded projects in this period==== | ||
* [[Young Journalists Project]]: 2002-2003; Took 10 (5 Turkish and 5 Greek Cypriots) in Washington DC for a 6-week training in modern journalism, and culminated with the co-organization of the [[HasNa Media Symposium May 2003]].File | |||
* [[Reconciliation Now!]]: Between 2003-2005, this project funded by [[United States Institute of Peace]] and [[HasNa Inc.]] included Media Literacy activities, North-South Economic Cooperation issues and seminars to improving the capacity of NGOs to plan and manage projects. | |||
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==The "hot" period of the 2004 Referendum== | |||
[[Future Worlds Center]] is a non-partisan organization, and as such it does not get involved in politically sensitive matters. Nevertheless, its pioneering activities in peace and reconciliation projects, along with its great success in envisioning, designing and securing funds to implement projects has been misunderstood by some. The organization and some of its people have been accused for "being paid by the US to buy souls" as multiple newspapers reported in a climate characterised by an author as as "περιρέουσα ατμόσφαιρα" (EN: The Ambient Atmosphere)<ref>Droushiotis, M. (2005). The construction of reality and the mass media in Cyprus. [[Media:PerireousaEN.pdf| The Ambient Atmosphere]]</ref>. Even though the UNDP/UNOPS provided a detailed analysis of all projects and organizations funded with respect to promoting the Annan Plan and [[Future Worlds Center]] was not included, the chair of the Board responded with both a Statement<ref>Statement sent to Media and Parliament [[Media:LaourisStatementAboutKoutsou071006.pdf|Download]]</ref> and a letter to the Parliament's demand for submitting details and evidence of all funds received for the above purpose<ref>Response to Parliament's demand for a hearing [[Media:ToParliament251006.pdf|Download]] </ref>. | |||
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==Peace Initiatives between 2005 and | ==Peace Initiatives between 2005 and 2010: Opening up to the world== | ||
During the next 5 years, [[Future Worlds Center]] pioneered in more projects, focusing on three axes: | |||
* Media | |||
* Education | |||
* Youth | |||
<br> | |||
====List of funded projects in this period==== | ====List of funded projects in this period==== | ||
* [[Talk of the Island]]: Supported the creation of a bicommunal radio with simultaneous transmissions on both sides. [[Radio Mayis]] and [[Astra 92.8]] supported the initiative. | |||
* [[Towards a New Media Landscape]]: Some trainings that culminated to the [[SDDP New Media Landscape Problématique]], which uncovered as root challenges the Lack of professionalism in journalism; Ownership and control; Pressures exerted on journalists; and Inadequate professional education and training. | |||
* [[Civil Society Dialogue Project in Cyprus]]: This large-scale project took place between 2006 and 2008 in the Middle East. | |||
* [[Multicultural Cyprus]]: In 2007/2008 this project engaged students, teachers, citizens and officers from many schools in jointly designing ideal educational systems. | |||
* [[JUMPSTART the Peace]]: A 2009/10 youth project that involved buses travelling through the whole island with Turkish and Greek Cypriots participating in jointly organized events and parties. | |||
A comprehensive [[List of projects with a PEACE dimension]] is available. | |||
==Citations== | ==Citations== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||