Semi-structured CAN-Cy dialogue with Nicosia youth
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The Semi-structured CAN-CY dialogue with Lakatamia youth event has taken place in the context of Civic Action Now in Cyprus.
On January 19, 2023, the Nicosia Municipality implemented a structured democratic dialogue process (SDD) for civic engagement with local youth group representatives. The dialogue has been implemented in the context of a project called Civic Action Now - Cyprus (CAN-CY) supported by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The activity focused on envisioning and designing an ideal future Lakatamia (or Cyprus in general) using the creative and practical ideas of its own citizens. The SDD process is a scientific methodology that is used to develop collaborative roadmaps that help redesign social systems based on the consensus and collective wisdom of many representatives. The SDD is used by Future Worlds Center across the globe to re-imagine, re-design, and re-construct social systems.
This action was organized with the goal of engaging with youth to generate ideas for the future of their locality and for Cyprus as a whole. The event was joined by youth groups active across the border. The participants have generated many concrete and practical ideas. More importantly, the group envisioned positive changes that can be achieved through collective social action. The organizers believe that positive change is only possible when the actual citizens are engaged in the re-design and are motivated to participate and contribute towards making the change.
The event was hosted at the Nicosia Municipal building and was supported by the Mayor, Constantinos Yorkatzis. His support and presence marked an excellent example where local authorities demonstrate genuine interest in hearing from youth and practicing bottom-up democracy by listening to the participants and taking their ideas for a better future seriously into consideration.
The CAN-CY project, was managed by the two non-profit organisations Future Worlds Center and the Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development (SeeD). The project benefits from a grant under the The Active Citizens Fund Cyprus Cyprus program, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, through the EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021.
Ideas Submitted by the Participants
- A Cyprus where all communities of the island interact with each other more regularly
- A Cyprus where all political parties have gender balance electoral lists
- No car circulation in the whole of Nicosia old town
- The law does not intefere with personal choices such as freedom for home schooling
- A Cyprus where culture is created which embraces public transport
- Solar power hydroelectric station next to Kouris dam
- Everybody has the right to have their own home. The house pricing is more fair.
- A place we could communicate effectively with each other
- Safe spaces where there is regular open dialogue about emotional health
- A Cyprus without majorities and minorities.
- Federal and constituent state structures which accurately reflect societal diversity in an ongoing way
- Free childcare for all parents when they are devoting time for civic and community work
- Unobstructed walkable sidewalks
- A Cyprus where the kids exiting highschool are more society-minded rather than self-minded
- A Cyprus as a regional hub of its neighbouring countries
- A society full of free public community spaces, open to active, self motivated, change effecting population
- A Cyprus where either English is the main language or a new language is created
- A redesigned educational system tailored to the youth's needs and potential real life challenges
- A Cyprus where each community is self governed/ regulated
- Citizens are more socially aware and empathetic
- Government covers the full cost of having solar panels on houses, businesses, public buildings
- The educational system promotes transparency, equality and respect
- Education about emotional regulation and health in primary schools
- A Cyprus that supports the athletes
- A Cyprus where there is a mazi or birlikte-day 4 times a year, one in every season
- An island where nature and wild life are sustainably preserved
- No illegal dumping especially near dams or water ways
- A place where clever people don't go away (brain drain)
- LGBTQ+ rights enshrined in law and in practice
- A Cyprus where all Nicosia Buffer zone has a special safe status and handed over to Cypriots to plant, promenande, meet and enjoy.
- A Cyprus where religion is merely a personal factor and has no effect on politics.
- Citizns getting involved with spirituallity not necessarily with dogmatic religions
- a place where we seek genuine relationships instead of getting addicted in digital ones
- A Cyprus with less waste and better waste management
- Elderly and young people twinning events to encourage intergenerational conversations
- Beverages are always served in reusable cups unless specifically requested and/or needed to be in a disposable cups
- Free therapy for everyone
- All Cypriots celebrate us being Cypriots, instead of Greek and Turkish national days
- In schools to teach Cypriot history instead of Greek or Turkish history, because as Cypriots we don't know our history. To embrace our culture and diversity.
