FWC and EU Kids Online: European research on cultural, contextual and risk issues regarding children and the Internet

FWC representatives will attend an international one-day conference to address the latest policy issues and research findings about children and the Internet to be held on Thursday June 11th 2009, London School of Economics, London, UK.

The anticipated audience includes researchers, policy makers, industry, child welfare, educators, NGOs and government.

Conference theme:
Are all children benefiting equally from the internet and if not, why not? How strong is the evidence for the risks to children of going online? Are these risks changing, and why do they differ from one country to another? How can parents and policy makers achieve a better balance between online opportunities and risks? What do children themselves think of the internet? What new literacies are they developing?

The conference will report the final results and recommendations from three year's work by EU Kids Online, a network of over 60 researchers in 21 countries, funded by the EC's Safer Internet plus Programme. See www.eukidsonline.net

FWC supports the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

There is a special day to focus on helping torture victims and ending torture -- the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture -- to be observed every year on 26 June. Cyprus has only one treatment centre and it is run by FWC. It is called the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT). The Unit’s mission is to assist victims of torture by providing multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation services, and to raise public awareness of issues concerning torture and rehabilitation. This is achieved by utilizing a treatment approach which integrates a full range of services including medical treatment, psychological support, legal counseling, and other social services. The Unit works closely with a network of volunteer service providers, medical professionals, and language and cultural translators to help victims and their families rebuild their lives.

This year FWC will help raise awareness about the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26th with a public event in Eletherias Square.

Torture is one of the most profound human rights abuses, taking a terrible toll on millions of individuals and their families. Rape, blows to the soles of the feet, suffocation in water, burns, electric shocks, sleep deprivation, shaking and beating are commonly used by torturers to break down an individual's personality. As terrible as the physical wounds are, the psychological and emotional scars are usually the most devastating and the most difficult to repair. Many torture survivors suffer recurring nightmares and flashbacks. They withdraw from family, school and work and feel a loss of trust.

Thirty years ago, there were no treatment centres or services to treat torture survivors. Today there are some 200 centres or programmes all over the world. There is now profound knowledge of torture methods, the effects of torture, and how to diagnose and rehabilitate torture victims.

Over 100 programmes treating torture victims in more than 50 countries -- from the United States to Nepal -- receive funding from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, which was established in 1981.

For more information about the URVT please contact Larry Fergeson, Head of Social Justice.

FWC elected to Management Committee of Cyprus Community Media Centre

FWC's Head of Social Justice, Larry Fergeson, joins 6 other Cypriot Civil Society Organisations on the Management Committee of the new Cyprus Community Media Centre (CCMC). The expected outcome of the CCMC is a more pluralistic, vibrant and diverse media landscape through an integrated and networked community media initiative led by Civil Society. Larry has been working with other members of Cypriot CSO's for over a year to bring this project to fruition and is honored to be part of the Management Committee.

The specific objectives of the CCMC are: to build the capacity of Cypriot CSOs and civil society actors across a number of media areas, especially through joint actions across Cypriot communities; to ensure wider and better dissemination of issues and concerns of CSOs among the wider population; and to organically build a Web based CSO Platform that will grow as the needs and capabilities of Cypriot civil society themselves grow. Furthermore the Community Media Centre aims to enhance relationships between the mass media and civil society through the provision of community media generated products contributing to social inclusion, multiculturalism and diversity. The media output will be posted on the community media centre web portal and be accessible in various forms such as podcasts, blogs, vodcasts, etc. At the same time, every effort will be made to broadcast on television and radio, through formal agreements with print media, TV and radio stations. CCMC will give opportunities to CSO’s island-wide to establish a network for media production.

Jumpstart featured in Cyprus Sunday Mail

The Sunday Cyprus Mail featured an article about the Jumpstart Youth Peace Campaign.

Jumpstart - Teambuilding and Leadership Workshop

The Future Worlds Center and the Youth Centre Union invite you to spend a weekend at the beach with other youth to build leadership skills and have fun along the way.

June 19-21, FWC and Youth Centre Union will bring together approximately 30 youth, aged 18-30 island wide for the first of a series of workshops to get to know each other in a comfortable and fun atmosphere at the beach. We will do interactive and playful activities that will develop team building and leadership skills for effective social change directed action. Accommodation is included and all the costs are covered by the European Commission Funded project.

The project “JUMPSTART” Youth Peace Campaign in Cyprus is funded under an initiative of the European Commission to strengthen civil society in Cyprus. The emphasis is on supporting civil society organisations representing the public interest in line with EU policy priorities. Civil society has a critical role in addressing issues of trust, conflict and peace building.

Application process:
If you would like to join the program please complete the application form attached and send it to marcia.kammitsi@gmail.com or fax: +357 22873821

FWC featured by the International Society for the Systems Sciences

FWC was highlighted on the International Society for the Systems Sciences website for its upcoming educational opportunities offered in conjunction with the Institute for 21st Century Agoras.

* 2nd International School for Structured Dialogic Design (SDD) in Cyprus, July 1-3 http://sddinternationalschool.wikispaces.com/

Please see http://isss.org/world/index.php for more details.

Winners of the International MDG Competitions

FWC is a partner in the Youth Ambassadors for Millennium Development Goals project funded by the European Union (ONG-ED/2007/136-678) along with NGOs in Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. The project held a national and international competition in four categories - Essay, Cartoon, Computer Game and Short Film.

The winners of the national competition in Cyprus were:
Essay - Elena Christoforou
Short Film - Limfenyuy Kongnso Cyrille
Cartoon - Constantia Georgiades

These winners were then placed into the international competitions with the other countries in the project. The winners of the international competitions were announced at the Afrykamera Film Festival in Krakow, Poland on 3 May 2009.

The list of the winners of the international competitions are:
Category – Essay – ZUZANNA PYTEL, Poland
Category – Cartoon – LUKAS GLASER, Czech Republic
Category – PC game – JAN SZAJDA, Poland
Category - Film:
I – Tereza Reichova, Czech Republic
II – Otmar Ćwięka, Poland
III – Magdalena Loska, Poland

We are very thankful for all of our participants in making this MDG Competition a great success!

Training in structured Dialogue 2-5 July

Future Worlds Center in collaboration with the 21st Century Agoras is co-organizing the 2nd International School for Structured Dialogue. The school is interesting for active Facilitators and Mediators as well as for young experts who want to learn more about the science of Structured Dialogic Design and eventually become certified facilitators.

Dr. Aleco Christakis, Ms. Gayle Underwood, Dr. Yiannis Laouris and Mr. Marios Michaelides will teach the theory and facilitate the co-laboratories. Upon completion of the course, all participants will receive a participation certificate.

Please see more at:
http://cwaltd.wetpaint.com/page/2nd+International+Facilitators+Training+School?t=anon

FWC sends 5 Cypriot Teachers and one Trainer to the "Human Rights Methods in Youth Work"

Training Courses on "Human Rights Methods in Youth Work“ took place at the International House Sonnenberg from April 2nd to 9th, 2009. FWC sent 5 Cypriot school teachers to participate in the trainings and Social Justice Unit Head, Larry Fergeson to Germany to train the international participants. He conducted two workshops with participants from Cyprus, Ukraine, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy and Poland.

Workshop Titles

1 - Human Rights and the Millennium Development Goals – How will their achievement serve humanity?

Main goals of the workshop:
To help educators and NGO workers discuss the human rights related aspects of the Millennium Development Goals with youth

Description of the workshop:
Introduction and Overview of the Millennium Development Goals
Explore what the Millennium Development Goals actually are;
Explore how the Millennium Development Goals relate to human rights;
Ways youth can advocate for the Millennium Development Goals within their community

2 - The Challenge of Human Rights and Cultural Diversity - Universal Human Rights and International Law

Main goals of the workshop:
To offer educators and NGO workers a discussion on the universal validity of Human Rights and the problems with intercultural differences

Description of the workshop:
How can human rights be reconciled with the clash of cultures that has come to characterize our time?
How can universal human rights exist in a culturally diverse world?
As the international community becomes increasingly integrated, how can cultural diversity and integrity be respected?
Is a global culture inevitable? If so, is the world ready for it?
How could a global culture emerge based on and guided by human dignity and tolerance?

Project presentation at EU conference on innovation and creativity

"Everybody’s Song“ was presented by Jelena Mihailović (CPDD, Serbia) and Reinhard Eckert (CNTI/Future Worlds Center, Cyprus) at the conference and exhibition "Creativity and Innovation – Best practice from European Union programmes" in Brussels from 2 to 3 March 2009. The event explored and identified examples of best practice among projects that have received funding through several European Union programmes and funds. It was accompanied by a special exhibition showing the results of 20 star projects from around Europe that are good examples of the EU contribution, highlighted by the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.

Downloads and links:

• project presentation
• photo gallery and conclusions from the workshop on cultural awareness and expression
• brochure "Creativity and Innovation - Best practices from EU programmes"
  
  
• video (8 minutes version)
• video download (25 minutes version)

FWC "Makes it Happen"

As one of the "Happenings" for the Youth Ambassadors for Millennium Development Goals project FWC organised two sporting activities (football and handball) for youths from different countries such as Cameroon, Morocco, Cyprus, on the 25 March 2009. We wanted to promote the MDGs through fun activities. The activities took place at Kennedy Field. 4 teams in total were present:

- ISAC
- THE LIONS OF ATLAS
- THE FIGHTERS ATDS
- THE MORROCANS

The finals were between ISAC and THE FIGHTERS ATDS,which ISAC won by 2 goals to 1 for THE FIGHTERS ATDS.

This project was sponsored by the Future Worlds Center as part of the EU project 'Youth Ambassadors for Millennium Development Goals'.

Moreover, on Friday 27 March 2009 all participants were present at the Future World Center office, for a Pizza party to commemorate their participation and each was given a tee shirt on which appeared the logo of Future Worlds Center and MAKE IT HAPPEN.

The Broken Olive Branch Volumes I and II

Long-standing Cypriot peace scholar and practioner Dr. Harry Anastasiou, professor in the Conflict Resolution Graduate Program and the International Studies Program at Portland State University and member of the Board of Future Worlds Center has published The Broken Olive Branch Volumes I and II and it is available for all to read. The work is published by Syracuse University Press, New York, under its Peace and Conflict Studies section.

We highly recommend this book to all our associates and we encourage people to read both volumes for greater depth and balance. From the perspective of conflict analysis and peace studies The Broken Olive Branch presents a fresh analysis of the Cyprus conflict, new insights on the influence of nationalism, and the prospects for peace (see description below).

Locally in Cyprus, The Broken Olive Branch Volumes I and II are available at Moufflon Bookshop (http://www.moufflon.com.cy).

Telephone +357 22 665 155
Fax +357 22 668 703
Postal address
1, Sofouli Street, 1096 Nicosia - Cyprus

Outside of Cyprus, The Broken Olive Branch is available at Syracuse University Press (http://www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu/fall-2008/broken-olive-branch.html) or your favorite online retailer.

Description:

At the forefront of its field, The Broken Olive Branch examines the dynamics of ethnonationalism in Cyprus, a country mired in a decades-long struggle fueled by ethnic rivalry. Harry Anastasiou’s analysis of Cyprus’s historic conflict examines the logic of nationalist thinking, assesses the rise of Greek and Turkish nationalism, and traces the division of Greek and Turkish Cypriots since the country won independence from British rule in 1960.

In the first of two volumes, Anastasiou offers a detailed portrait of Cyprus’s dual nationalisms, identifying the ways in which nationalist ideologies have undermined the relations between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. In the context of regional and global conflicts, he demonstrates how the ethnic rivalry was largely engineered by the leaders of each community and consolidated by the nationalist configuration of political culture. Taking a multilevel approach, he maps out the impasse and changes in ethnonationalism over time.

In the second volume, Anastasiou focuses on emergent post-nationalist trends, their implications for peace, and recent attempts to reach mutually acceptable agreements between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. He documents the transformation of Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey within the context of Europeanization and globalization. While leaders of both communities have failed to resolve the conflict, Anastasiou argues that the accession of Cyprus into the European Union has created a structure and process that promises a multiethnic, democratic Cyprus.

Editorial reviews of The Broken Olive Branch Volumes I & II

“I have read with pleasure, the admirable book, The Broken Olive Branch, by Harry Anastasiou. I was impressed by the author’s synthesis of a comprehensive history of recent events in Cyprus, with his experience in peacebuilding there, as well as with a wide array of relevant literature on nationalism, ethnic relations, and conflict resolution. He provides an enlightening analysis and exposition”.

Dr. Louis Kriesberg, Syracuse University, USA.
Professor Emeritus of Social Conflict Studies,
Founding Director, Program on the Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts

Harry Anastasiou has produced an extremely important book for the conflict analysis and resolution (CAR) field because it is the first study that focuses on a wholistic analysis of the Cyprus conflict as well as intervention approaches from a practitioner on the ground with intimidate knowledge of the issues and the actors. I am confident that the book will be used widely both in the CAR field and related social-science fields because it is both practical and engaging.

Sean Byrne, Arthur Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice,
St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba, Canada.

“Overall, this real-world application of theories and concepts from the academic study of conflict resolution makes a significant and timely contribution to the field. It adds to the literature an in-depth look at a specific protracted conflict, analyzing its complex evolution over time, vividly demonstrating the realities of complex conflict phenomena”.

Dr. Benjamin J. Broome, Arizona State University, USA
Hugh Downs School of Human Communication

“To my knowledge, there is no other book on the Cyprus conflict which so wonderfully offers a rich multidisciplinary understanding of the Cypriot experience. Moreover, it is written with clarity and compassion”.

Dr. Maria Hadjipavlou, University of Cyprus,
Department of Social and Political Sciences

Study Visit to Cyprus from The International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) program

Eleftherios A. Michael, Assistant Professor and Academic Director at the Peace and Conflict Resolution Program from American University in Washington D.C. will be in Cyprus for a study visit from 20 to 28 March 2009 with 25 students.

A three week travel experience to Cyprus, Greece and Turkey will provide the students with a firsthand experience in understanding the various peacemaking and peacebuilding dynamics of long term and sustainable peace and reconciliation among former enemies. The trip provides students with excellent opportunities to meet with top political leaders from all sides of the conflict, including briefings by United Nations and European Union diplomats, academics, researchers and ordinary citizens whose lives have been affected in conflict zones. Students will learn from their perspectives how various roadblocks en route to peace have constrained their efforts for a political settlement and reconciliation.

Above all, the students will have a chance to give their fresh ideas as conflict analysts and peacebuilders to help find the way forward for people in their quest to better understand one another and coexist peacefully.

FWC will host the students on 27 March at 14.30 at the Centrum Hotel along with presentations from other Cypriot NGOs. Please contact Larry for more details.

Safer Internet Helpline for Children

The Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Children in collaboration with the CyberEthics project are hiring operators for the operation of the Safer Internet Helpline for Children.

The Helpline publicly announces its desire to train and hire a number of telephone counselors. The training will span two days, and will take place on the 4th (10a.m – 2p.m) and 8th (3p.m-6p.m) of April. The criteria for participation are a background in counseling, psychology, pedagogy or other related fields which place an emphasis on the cultivation of high-level communication skills. Upon successful completion of the training, the applicants will receive a certification of attendance and will be able to work as Helpline operators.

The operators will be expected to work a number of 1 hour shifts each month, depending on the number of applicants who successfully complete the training. The operators will be paid €5 for each shift.

Anyone interested in participating can communicate with the coordinator of CyberEthics, Mrs. Georgina Shitta at 22873820 or with the Safer Internet Helpline coordinator, Lawrence Kalogreades, via email at lawrence@cnti.org.cy. All applicants are requested to send a CV/resume to this email address.

The Safer Internet Helpline is co-operated by the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Children (PCCPWC) and the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute. Its goal is to provide guidance and counseling on Internet Safety Issues. The Helpline will operate daily between 20.00-21.00.

Analogous Helplines are being launched throughout Europe with the support of the European Commission. The European Commission is convinced that children encounter dangerous and disturbing materials on the Internet and they experience fear, intimidation and bullying. The possibility to talk anonymously to a professional may support them psychologically to deal with such complex situations and even take action and report illegal webpages. The Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute together with CYTA operate also a Hotline where such anonymous reports can be done. The website is at www.cyberethics.info.

Partners in the CyberEthics project are also CYTA, the Pedagogical Institute of the Ministry of Education and the Turkish Cypriot NGO, Olive Branch Foundation.

Please also click here to see an article in the Cypriot Media about the Helpline

Human Rights Methods in Youth Work

Training Course on "Human Rights Methods in youth work", taking place at International House Sonnenberg from April 2nd to 9th, 2009

We are very happy to announce that the application for our Training Course on Human Rights Methods (the idea was developed on the SIG II meeting in Rome in July) was accepted by the Youth in Action programme. We found a whole colourful bouquet of nine international partners – mostly members of the DARE network – who support the project, such as “Partners Bulgaria Foundation”, “Future Worlds Center” Cyprus, “Centre for Europe” Great Britain, “Human Rights Education Associates” Netherlands and the DARE network itself. Other countries involved are Lithuania, Georgia, Ucraine, Italy and of Germany as host country.

Each partner is going to send at least 4 young multipliers (between 18 and 30 years) to participate in the one-week training course that will cope with basic educational methods to involve the subject of Human Rights in youth work. Therefore a big variety of workshops, held by experienced trainers, will be offered. The aim of the training is to equip trainers and/or teachers who are already experienced in the field of youth work with a set of general knowledge and basic methodology on Human Rights education. Moreover there will be lots of chances for mutual exchange of experience and the development of new project ideas. Participants will be able to implement new methods and activities into their daily youth work, in order to raise awareness for Human Rights among young people all over Europe.

Costs: 145,- € (90,-€ reduced) participation fee,
the participants have to come up for 30% of their travel costs. 70% of the travel expenses will be reimbursed at the training according to receipts up to a maximum of 300,- Euros per person.

The facility “International House Sonnenberg” is situated in the beautiful National Park of the Harz Mountains, surrounded by the bigger cities of Hannover, Göttingen and Braunschweig. Besides the comfort of modern accommodation, tasty food, and well-equipped conference rooms, the picturesque scenery invites for relaxing hikes in the forests and mountains. For more information please check http://www.sonnenberg-international.de/Veranstaltungen/2009/details_uk.php?Mode=1&ID=16.

We are looking forward to an intense international week with new impulses, contacts and a high level of professional exchange on up-to-date methods of Human Rights Education. If you’re interested in participating, sending participants or running a workshop as a trainer, please respond to Larry Fergeson by clicking here.

Looking forward to welcome many active young multipliers in the first week of April!

JOB OPENINGS at FWC - Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture

The following jobs are open at Future Worlds Center:

Psychologist
Duties and responsibilities
• Provide one to one psychological support to asylum seekers, refugees and their families
• Provide rehabilitation to victims of torture and other patients of PTSD
• Evaluate progress of clients and facilitate their communication with social services with the assistance of the social counselor
Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced University Degree in Psychology
• Experience with Victims of torture and other patients of PTSD will be favored

Administrator-Secretary-PA
Duties and Responsibilities
• General secretarial tasks, such as telephone, fax, letter writing.
• Preparation of reports
• General project management and monitoring of tasks

Preferred Qualifications
• Secretarial Degree and/or degree in Management.
• Fluency in Greek and English
Prospective candidates will be evaluated against general criteria representing the Center’s culture namely:
Ethics, fairness and respect for diversity
Credibility & resourcefulness
International orientation
Ambition & continuous improvement
Leadership; team player; multi-tasking
Innovative thinking and attitude

To apply for a job at Future Worlds Center, send us the following:
• Resume;
• Letter addressing your fit with Future World’s Center selection criteria and Center’s culture listed above. You may share life experiences, challenges and successes.
• Three professional or academic references (please provide name, contact information, and a few details about how the person knows you).
Applications must be complete to be considered. We do not contact referees without notifying applicants.
Closing date for this round of applications is March 31st 2009
Applications can be submitted only by email at: recruitment2009@futureworldscenter.org

FWC partners with other EU countries in the new ACID Project

FWC will participate as a partner in the newly approved European Union project called “Active Citizens for Intercultural Dialogue” or ACID for short. The project aims at: giving citizens the opportunity to interact and participate in constructing an ever closer Europe, which is democratic and world-oriented, united in and enriched through its cultural diversity, thus developing citizenship of the European Union.

The specific objectives of the project proposal are:
To support citizens' panels in all participating countries which enable the active interaction and discussion among citizens on the importance of intercultural dialogue at European level;
To collect the opinion of citizens on a key European challenge for the future such as the intercultural dialogue in a multicultural Europe;
To create mechanisms that enable European citizens to develop civic competences, to formulate their views and opinions on the European integration process in the form of recommendations for policy makers at European level;
To encourage the dialogue between European citizens and the institutions of the EU, empowering citizens as regards EU policies and their impact, and ensuring appropriate follow up of citizens' opinions by the EU institutions.

The target group of the project ACID will be young people and young adults (aged 18-30 years old), migrants and refugees, adults and aged people, politicians, representatives of the civil society (NGOs, cultural associations, trade unions), teachers and educators from the participating countries. Special attention will be paid to involving ordinary citizens of different demographic, social and professional backgrounds and to involving citizens' who would not have spontaneously participated in projects of a European nature.

The countries participating in the project are: Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Romania, and Portugal. FWC associates will travel to Romania 1 March for the kick off meeting. Contact Larry Fergeson for more information.

FWC helps to "Jumpstart" the Cyprus Peace Process

The European Commission approved the application for a new project to be coordinated by Future Worlds Center and led by the Youth Centre Union. The 18 month long project is called "Jumpstart - Youth Peace Campaign in Cyprus" and aims to increase the number of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth actively participating in the Cyprus reconciliation process. It is funded by the The European Commission as part of its Reconciliation, Confidence Building Measures and Support to Civil Society under the CYPRIOT CIVIL SOCIETY IN ACTION Programme.

The Overall Objectives are to:
• Increase confidence building between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot youth (18-30)
• Create opportunities for youth to actively engage in reconciliation activities
• Promote inter-cultural dialogue and its methods and language as a concept and as the means for envisioning a future Cyprus
• Enable Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot youth to challenge their own stereotypes and perceptions as well as to develop the capacity to challenge those of the community at large


FWC, as the European leader in Structured Dialogic Design Processes or SDDP, will conduct a deeper analysis of issues concerning youth, participation, reconciliation processes in Cyprus. FWC will enable the youth activist group to develop an action strategy for the campaign and to identify possible risks along with alternative solutions and contingency plans. Based on an effective methodology, the SDDP sessions will ensure that all key issues are taken into account, all members of the youth activist group have voiced both their plans and concerns, and that the group democratically agrees on the action plan to be implemented.

Global Connections in Sofia/ Bulgaria

FWC associates Kerstin Wittig and Yiannis Laouris travelled to Sofia/ Bulgaria last week to implement a 2-day training for teachers on Development Education. The training was organised by the Bulgarian C.E.G.A. Foundation, in collaboration with FWC, ScotDec and KADE and took place within the EU-funded project 'Accessing Development Education'.
The training brought together 18 teachers from Sofia and other regions of Bulgaria and introduced them to the concept of Development Education, which is still fairly new to most teachers in Bulgaria and other new European member states. The participating teachers had the opportunity to explore a diverse range of teaching resources, methodologies and activities, and to discuss how these would best fit into the Bulgarian school curriculum.
The Accessing Development Education project is compiling and online database of successful teaching resources on Development Education and is currently producing a teachers' manual, which will be published in Cyprus, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Scotland and Ireland. For more information about the project, please contact the project coordinator here.

FWC celebrates Safer Internet Day 2009

FWC in collaboration with CYTA on the CyberEthics project and as part of the Safer Internet Day 2009 events invites you to a conference on February 9th. For more information please click the image to your left and contact Georgina Shitta, CyberEthics Coordinator at Tel +357 22 873820.