#UNITECYPRUSNOW came about spontaneously at a breakdown in the negotiations to solve the Cyprus problem, initially to put pressure on the leaders, hold them accountable and remind them of their promise to unite Cyprus. Wanting the leaders to hear our voice, we took to the streets, demonstrating every day in the buffer zone, that divides the capital, Nicosia, and the two sides.

We remained there even after the talks resumed. Thanks to a donation in kind of air travel and accommodation, a small group of us were able to join the last leg of negotiations at the resort of Crans Montana, Switzerland, in late June and early July 2017, continuing to press for peace.

When the talks in Crans Montana collapsed in July 2017 we were, of course, bitterly disappointed. It was time to get organised. Over a series of open meetings during the summer, advertised on our Facebook page, we drew up our vision and mission statements. We asked for nominations for the "hub" - our forum for taking decisions by consensus. The hub takes decisions on practical, organisational and communication issues, as well as ideas for implementing our mission: to connect Cypriots.

We also continued weekly open meetings in the buffer zone, which are open to the public.