Covid-19 and the crossings in Cyprus
online
Two weeks ago UniteCyprusNow held the first in a series of regular fortnightly discussions over Zoom on various issues. We kicked off the sessions on the subject of the novel coronavirus and how it has affected us. The group was diverse, consisted of people from both communities and the discussion was high calibre, lively and interesting. At the end everyone felt keen on more such discussions and offered suggestions for the next one.
In view of the fact that one of the biggest and still ongoing effects the pandemic has had on us here in Cyprus was the closing of the crossing points, it was suggested that this should be the subject of the next meeting. Undoubtedly, the partial reopening of the crossing points accompanied by the stringent health requirements on both sides, has resulted in a reduction of contact between the two sides with the inevitable consequence of a rise in mistrust and prejudice.
Some people ask, has the closure been for the greater good? Has it been a necessary and positive protective measure for both sides as far as our health is concerned?
Or has it been the perfect excuse to reduce contact between the two sides without seeming to do so for political reasons?
Were there other ways to handle the situation whereby the fears of both sides could have been alleviated and given each the safeguards they needed from the virus without closing the checkpoints? Could there have been greater cooperation and was this a lost opportunity for bringing the two sides, faced with a common danger, closer together?
Join us on 4 August at 19:00 on Zoom for yet another high calibre and lively discussion on the Covid-19 virus and the crossing points.
Our discussion groups are a great opportunity to meet and discuss with people from all the communities of Cyprus and be part of the conversation. Not only can you join in, but you can be instrumental in proposing ideas for future session.
Please register by filling in this this form.
#UniteCyprusNow
Online Discussion: Facing the past, moving to the future
Zoom meeting
Pain and suffering have marked the people of this island and its past.
Discussions on these experiences are endless but mostly take place within the different communities. Cypriots often speak about each other, but not with each other. Can Cypriots from all communities discuss amongst them their past and share their experiences? Is Cyprus only marked by pain? Can a different future be shaped? Is there a way to remember but forgive and move on? Would a truth committee be useful for the country?
Please register by clicking on the link below for an online discussion - places are limited so please apply early.
Please register by filling in this form.
#UniteCyprusNow
Online Discussion: Intercommunal Friendships
Zoom meeting
Do bicommunal friendships exist in Cyprus? Did they exist in the past? How easy/difficult is it to have friends from the other community?
As a part of our Dialogue Groups project, we are bringing different groups in Cyprus together.
If you have always wanted to meet people from other communities of Cyprus, this is your chance! Join us and find out how many similarities or differences we have. If you know people that haven’t had the chance to interact with people from other communities in Cyprus, share this event with them.
There is a limited number of places so hurry up!
Please register by filling in this form.
Only registered participants will receive the Zoom link.
Can’t wait to see you all there!!!
#UniteCyprusNow
Missing Persons in Cyprus
online
During the event, we will discuss the issue of missing persons in Cyprus. According to the Committee on Missing Persons, there are 2,002 missing persons in Cyprus – 1510 Greek Cypriots and 492 Turkish Cypriots, who went missing between 1963 and 1974. The body that has been tasked with locating, identifying and returning the remains of these persons to their families is the Committee on Missing Persons, an institution staffed by scientists from both communities and largely funded by the European Union. In this event, we’ll talk about the Committee on Missing Persons, assess its work and understand whether it could be doing anything more to achieve its stated objectives.
Short bio of our expert
Dr Hadjigeorgiou is an Assistant Professor in Transitional Justice and Human Rights at UCLan Cyprus. She holds degrees from University College London (LLB), the University of Cambridge (LLM) and King’s College London (PhD). Her monograph, entitled Protecting Human Rights and Building Peace in Post-violence Societies: An Underexplored Relationship (Hart Publishing, 2020) focuses on the protection of human rights in Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland and South Africa. She has edited a book (Brill, 2019) and published a range of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the area of human rights in Cyprus and elsewhere. In 2020 she was the principal investigator in projects funded by the International Peace Research Association Foundation and the London School of Economics Hellenic Observatory.
Please register by filling in this this form.
We all start as strangers!
online
Who are those others? Who are those people on the other side of the island?
What do we know about them? Who told us what we know?
We are raised up with different ideas about people from other communities although we are living in the same island.
Do these beliefs bring us close or keep us apart? How can we overcome the
stereotypes we have for the other communities?
This is the topic we are discussing in our next dialogue group meeting on Friday, 12th of March 2021, at 19.00.
If you want to join us, please register on the below until Thursday, 11th of March 2021.
Please register by filling in this form.
Love across the divide
online
Would you date a person from the other community? What if you found love across the divide? What difficulties would you face? How would you overcome them?
Are you already affected with the obstacles on crossings? What about the bicommunal couples? Have you been forced to make a choice between your life, parents on one side and your loved one on the other?
These and more will be discussed in our online dialogue group meeting this Friday, 9 th of April 2021, from 19.00 to 20.30.
Join us for a very interesting discussion about love, life, challenges and happiness across the boundaries.
As always, our Dialogue Group discussions are committed to create a safe space for all participants.
Please register by filling in this form.
ONLY REGISTERED participants will be provided the Zoom link.