Jumpstart hosted at CyBC

Jumpstart coordinators along with two Greek Cypriot participants who took part in the project’s latest training in Famagusta, were hosted last Saturday (11 July) at CyBC’s radio show “Culture and Peaceful living”(Πολιτισμός και Ειρηνική Συνύπαρξη) to talk about their experience of the project so far.
Jumpstart coordinators elaborated on the main objectives of the project and emphasized the importance of breaking the barrier of communication between the two communities and facilitating the exchange of opinion and life experience between the youth.
The Greek Cypriot participants said that they were really pleased to have taken part in the three-day event in Famagusta mainly because of the innovative methods used which encouraged co-operation and team-building skills between the participants from the very beginning. They both seemed keen to go on with with further activities.
Marcia Kammitsi, who acted as the Greek Cypriot co-ordinator so far, announced the actions to follow, as part of the project, giving emphasis on the conflict -resolution training expected to take part in September. She then encouraged youth who want to problematise bi-communal relations to join in, stressing the “openness” and participatory character of the activities.
Hussein Kursat, the Turkish Cypriot co-ordinator, also invited more people to join in, especially from the Greek Cypriot community, saying that it is really important to the development of a new culture of bi-communal relations.
Fore more information about the Jumpstart project, please contact the new Greek Cypriot co-ordinator Nicolina Markidou.

Please listent to the interview by clicking here

Jumpstart Interview Track 01 - Jumpstart

Jumpstart Interview Track 02 - Jumpstart

Jumpstart Interview Track 03 - Jumpstart

Jumpstart Interview Track 04 - Jumpstart

Jumpstart Interview Track 05 - Jumpstart

Jumpstart Interview Track 06 - Jumpstart

Jumpstart Interview Track 07 - Jumpstart

Jumpstart Interview Track 08 - Jumpstart

Jumpstart Interview Track 09 - Jumpstart

FWC's URVT Supervising Psychologist visits Chile torture clinic

On June 23rd 2009, Ioanna Katsounari, Supervising Psychologist from FWC's Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT)made an informational visit to Cintras, an organization specializing in the rehabilitation of torture survivors in Santiago, Chile (www.cintras.org). Cintras is a non-governmental organization established in 1985 for the purpose of providing medical and psychosocial support to survivors of torture who suffered during the military dictatorship. She had the opportunity to meet with the Director of the agency and members of the staff and exchanged information regarding the agency’s clientele, community outreach, intervention methods and funding.

FWC's URVT featured in the Cyprus Weekly

The Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture was featured in the Cyprus Weekly at the end of June. Click the image to read the article.

Future Worlds Center is now on YouTube

FWC is now on YouTube. Please direct your browser to the link below to see us in Action! Also, please subscribe to our channel so when we post new videos you will know about them!

http://www.youtube.com/futureworldscenter

Training of Trainers in Development Education

A workshop aiming at training facilitators in order for them to deliver Development Education Trainings for teachers has taken place from 29th -4th July in Edinburgh/ Scotland as part of the EU-funded project 'Accessing Development Education'.
In the training, which was organized by our Edinburgh-based partner ScotDec, 16 participants from Cyprus, Bulgaria and Lithuania had the chance to explore issues and skills connected to Development Education and finally design their own DE training session.
In the sessions, participative methods have been prioritized by well-trained facilitators from Scotland and Ireland. These methods enabled participants to exchange views, explore methodologies and compare local contexts in a way that significantly enhanced their understanding of DE. After the training sessions, the participants, organisers and facilitators went on excursions in Edinburgh, to the sea- and country-side, got to know the Scottish hospitality, and managed to develop close connections among all participants.

The Cyprus team consisted of two Future Worlds Centre staff and three teachers (one from primary and two from secondary education). The team is planning to implement teacher trainings in different towns in Cyprus from September onwards and encourage teachers to include Development Education in their lessons.

For more information contact the project coordinator here.

FWC organizes another “Make It Happen” Event for the MDG Project

In the context of the European Union funded “Youth Ambassadors for Millennium Development Goals”, Future Worlds Center organized a second Friendly Football match with youth in Cyprus. This MDG Happening took place in the north of Cyprus in Lefke on Saturday 5 July 2009. Cameroonian students from Nicosia and Larnaca played a friendly match with students from Famagusta and Lefke. It was an interesting and fun encounter among the Youths to promote MDGs on the island. The youth of the South came out victorious scoring 2 goals to 1 after a hard struggle. The Youth also learned about the importance of the Millennium Development Goals and discussed ways youth in Cyprus can support MDG implementation globally. Please see the project website for more about the “Youth Ambassadors for Millennium Development Goals”

Future Worlds Center welcomes Dr. Aleco Christakis to Cyprus for the 2nd International Facilitators Training School in Structured Dialogic Design

Renowned scientist Dr. Aleco Christakis from the Institute for 21st Century Agoras based in the United States will be in Nicosia from 2-5 July to lead the 2nd International Facilitators Training School in Structured Dialogic Design (SDD) process. Cypriot non-governmental organisation (NGO) Future Worlds Center (legal reg.: Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute) in collaboration with the Institute for 21st Century Agoras is co-organizing. 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.

The 2nd International Facilitators Training School in Structured Dialogic Design process will be held at the Cleopatra Hotel in Nicosia on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a special awards ceremony taking place Saturday afternoon 4 July. Twenty five applicants from across the globe have been selected by Future Worlds Center to participate in this exclusive training. The participants will be trained by Dr. Christakis in the theory and practice of SDD and gain certification to facilitate future workshops in Cyprus and Europe-wide. Structured Dialogic Design process is a methodology that enables groups of stakeholders to discuss an issue in a structured democratic manner that enables them to achieve results. It is a deeply reasoned, scientific, psychosocial methodology that has evolved from over 30 years of development to its current implementation as a software-supported process for large-scale, collaborative design.

Future Worlds Center is the European leader in Structured Dialogic Design and uses this methodology in many of its European Union projects. Recently, Future Worlds Center has facilitated workshops utilising Structured Dialogic Design with the European Commission, the Ministry of Education in Cyprus as well as dozens of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) across Europe.

Dr. Christakis earned a PhD in theoretical nuclear physics from Princeton and Yale Universities and has 40 years experience in developing and testing methods for engaging stakeholders in productive and authentic dialogue for the practice of participative democracy. He is the author of over 100 papers on stakeholder participation and most recently the book “How People Harness their Collective Wisdom and Power to Create the Future” (2006), He is also a co-founder of the Club of Rome and past President of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (www.ISSS.org). Other trainers include Dr. Yiannis Laouris, Future Worlds Center, Cyprus, Marios Michaelides, Cyprus Academy of Public Administration, and Gayle Underwood, Institute for 21st Century Agoras.

Jumpstart featured on CyBC Radio B’s ‘Round and About’

The two coordinators of the EU funded project ‘Jumpstart Youth Peace Campaign in Cyprus’ Marcia Kammitsi (Future Worlds Centre) and Huseyin Kursat (Youth Centre Union) were invited to CyBC Radio B’s ‘Round and About’ show on Wednesday 24 June at 6.30pm local time on 91.1 FM. with Rosie Charalambous. Please click here to listen to the interview or go to http://www.cybc.com.cy/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=675&Itemid=197. Look for the "Rosies interview with Marcia Kammitsi" on 17/06/09.


‘Round and About’ is a daily radio magazine with interviews, short talks and view on Cyprus, Europe and the world presented by Rosie.

The coordinators spoke about the Teambuilding and Leadership Workshop that took place on 19-21 June and brought together approximately 25 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.

The coordinators explained the aims and objectives of the project which are to not only to increase confidence building between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot youth but also to create opportunities for the youth to actively engage in reconciliation activities. The project aims to enable the youth to challenge their own stereotypes and perceptions as well as to develop the capacity to challenge those of the community at large.

The 18 month long project will involve a series of bi communal trainings, an on line interactive platform, youth action teams, public peace marketing visual campaigns, publication of booklets and a peace and reconciliation boat tour around the island.

The presenter, Rosie, asked the coordinators which methods did they use to select participants. The coordinators answered that in the North it was easier to find participants due to the close relation of the youth centre to youth groups whereas in the South an application procedure was used and was disseminated to youth networks and groups.

Rosie raised the challenges that the project might face in recruiting new people, outside the bi communal networks. Even though this is indeed a challenge the coordinators will use the existing networks to reach new people using increased dialogue, collaboration and communication among youth in Cyprus.

Follow up to "Jumpstart" Teambuilding and Leadership Workshop

The training brought together approximately 25 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. The training is part of the activities of the EU funded project Jumpstart Youth Peace Campaign in Cyprus. The project’s duration is 18 months and started in mid March 2009.

The training took place in Famagusta at the Mimoza beach hotel. Two trainers who are experienced in the Council of Europe trainings started with ice breaking games and get- to –know- each other games.

The second and third part of the training was focused on interactive and playful activities that aim to develop teambuilding and leadership skills for effective social change directed action.

The Project ‘Jumpstart’ Youth peace Campaign in Cyprus was presented to the participants. The project cycle and overall project objectives and activities were presented. The participants exchanged views with the coordinators and the trainers on the project activities. They suggested ways to attract more youth to participate in this project but also activities that could take place under this project. Some of these activities are music concerts, pick-nicks, cultural events, newsletter, magazine, camping, environmental awareness activities etc.

The group developed a great dynamic and team building spirit and has already started planning the upcoming activities.
For more information check http://www.jumpstart-cyprus.org/and the Facebook group JUMPSTART THE PEACE IN CYPRUS.

Peaceful Nature Summer Programme 2009

"For a Peaceful Mind at Peace with Nature"

A big hello to all young people in Cyprus! Do you want to be part of a growing movement of the younger generations trying to make a more peaceful, united society in Cyprus, one that also respects the environment of this beautiful island that we share? Are you frustrated with the slow progress of the politicians to address these vital issues, whilst we the people stand around as helpless spectators? Here’s a chance to join a new movement for change and show that you really mean business!

Turkish Cypriot organisation KAYAD Community Centre and Greek Cypriot organisation The Environmental Studies Centre are co-organising a summer camp between the 2nd and 8th of July 2009. It will be located in Kyrenia for the first 3 days and Kritou Terra (Paphos District) for the following 3 days.

The programme will include workshops on Environmental Sustainability and Peace Education, along with environmental trips island wide. It’s also a great chance to meet other young people, and particularly to challenge the unnatural division of the island by making new friends from the other community. Together anything is possible!

The camp is open for all Cypriots between the ages of 17 and 24 (i.e. born between 1 January 1986 & 31 December 1992). Participants will be sharing accommodation with other youngsters in this age range.

This summer programme is part of a wide range of activities for young people set-up co-operatively by the member organisations of the Cyprus Network for Youth Development. It is funded by Action for Cooperation and Trust. As a result, a contribution of only €20 per person is payable by the participants. We will send you more about this when you apply.

Download an application form from:

www.kayadcommunitycenter.com or www.esc.com.cy , or email us at

peacefulnature09@gmail.com.

Tel. for info: Nick on 26 332532 or Mine on 0392 2270751

Teachers review and adapt Oxfam Teaching Resources to promote Global Education in Cypriot Schools

In the context of the EU-funded Accessing Development Education project, Cypriot Elementary School and Secondary School teachers, together with Mrs Anne Kane from Oxfam Scotland and Future Worlds Center staff explored a variety of Oxfam Teaching Resources on Global Education and Global Citizenship. The aim of the 2-day workshop (16 and 17 June) was to become more familiar with Global Education activities for schools, to explore entry points for Global Education in the Cypriot school curriculum, and to select relevant resources to be translated to Greek. Oxfam has produced a large variety of teaching resources, activity packs and teachers’ guides, helping teachers to introduce a global approach into their classrooms.
The Cypriot teachers selected several of the activities and activity packs to be translated, and began to link those to specific school subjects in Cyprus. Additionally, the project will translate and adapt two of the introductory guides for teachers, suggesting approaches and links to the local curriculum. The translated materials will be made available on the project’s online depository (www.DevelopmentEducation.info), and can also be obtained from Future Worlds Center.
In addition to the translated Oxfam resources, the project is developing an introductory manual for teachers, serving as a first overview of Development Education/ Global Education and suggesting methods and activities for the classroom.
For more information about the project, or about future events for teachers and schools on Global Education, please contact Kerstin Wittig.

FWC engages Citizen's of Lefkara in Intercultural Dialogue

As part of the Active Citizens for Intercultural Dialogue Project (ACID) FWC was invited by the mayor of Lefkara, Andreas Sossilos, to participate in a panel discussion with citizens of Lefkara about intercultural relations in Cyprus. Also in attendance was Giorgos Tsiakalos, President of the Scientific Committee for the Reform of School Curriculum in Cyprus. The event was held at the local school in Lefkara on Thursday 18 June. There were over 240 citizens who took part in the evening's event. Each participant answered two questions "What prevents us from having Intercultural Dialogue in Cyprus? and "Which activities of an Intercultural character could we host in our village? The results will be presented to the project partners in Lisbon, Portugal on July 20.

For more information about the project please join our wiki here.

FWC engages Citizen's of Nicosia in Intercultural Dialogue

As part of the Active Citizens for Intercultural Dialogue Project (ACID) FWC was invited by the mayor of the Cypriot capital Nicosia, Eleni Mavrou, to participate in a panel discussion with citizens of Nicosia about intercultural relations in Cyprus. The event was held at a town hall in Kaimakli on Tuesday 16 June. There were over 50 citizens who took part. Each participant answered the question "What prevents us from having Intercultural Dialogue in Cyprus? The results will be presented to the project partners in Lisbon, Portugal on July 20.

For more information about the project please join our wiki here.

FWC's Jumpstart featured on Cyprus bi-communal TV show

Jumpstart coordinators Marcia Kammitsi (FWC) and Huseyin Kursat (Youth Centre Union) participated in the bi-communal television show Biz/Emis for an interview about the Jumpstart project. You can also view the video if you go to our You Tube Channel.

FWC's URVT featured in the Cypriot media: Lack of funding hampers work for torture victims

This article originally appeared in the Cyprus Sunday Mail on Sunday, June 21, 2009.

Lack of funding hampers work for torture victims
By Simon Bahceli

FRIDAY will mark the 22nd anniversary of the coming into effect of the United Nations’ Convention against Torture, Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The agreement, signed by all member states in the UN, was an unprecedented attempt to address the issue of torture on a global scale, and the anniversary of its signing will be met with events and celebrations around the world. This year, there will however be no events to mark the day in Cyprus.

“This year we do not have the sufficient funding to hold celebrations,” says Corina Drousiotou, a legal advisor at the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) in Nicosia. The lack of funding, Drousiotou says, is primarily a result of the government’s failure to place its application with the EU’s European Refugee Fund (ERF) on time.

“Cyprus lost this year’s budget, so we have been operating on a shoestring,” she says. Drousiotou adds however that the URVT, an NGO set up to help immigrants who have suffered torture in their home countries, managed to secure emergency funding from UN that will allow it to continue operating this year.

Despite the lack of funding, 75 per cent of which is meant to come from the ERF, Drousiotou and her colleagues at the URVT have nevertheless managed to provide vital services for around 120 torture victims that have come to their attention since the body was set up in 2006. The victims come from a surprisingly wide range of countries, but perhaps unsurprisingly the largest groupings are made up of Turkish and Syrian Kurds, Iraqis and Iranians.

The URTV’s mission is to help these victims overcome the physical and mental wounds of torture and to rehabilitate them for life and work in Cyprus. This they do through the provision of psychological counselling, medical support, legal advice and social support, which includes helping victims to access welfare and work.

Apo (not his real name) was one of the first torture victims to be assigned to the URTV more than two years ago. Captured as a Kurdish activist, Apo was branded a terrorist by a Turkish court and served eight and-a-half years in prisons across Turkey. Apo alleges he was physically and psychologically tortured before his sentencing by police seeking a confession and the identities of his compatriots. These allegations have been confirmed and corroborated by the URTV and other human rights bodies in Cyprus and Turkey.

Since gaining help from the URTV, Apo has been making steady progress and now speaks fluent Greek and works as a technician in the capital.

“I’m more relaxed now,” he says but adds: “I haven’t totally gotten over what happened to me, but at least I can think about the future now and not only the past.” Despite his apparent recovery, Apo still pays weekly visits to a psychotherapist assigned to him by the URVT.

Drousiotou says rehabilitation is of vital importance to torture victims who are often plagued with depression, low self esteem and even thoughts of suicide. One of the best things one can do for a victim, she adds, is to find them employment.

“Status is very important, and work gives them higher self esteem,” she says.

The URTV’s funding problems are perhaps indicative of Cyprus’ slowness in coming to terms with the problem of mass migration. The country is also yet to set up a screening mechanism to establish if immigrants applying for asylum suffered torture in the native lands.

“It can take two to three years until the asylum service pick up on the fact that an applicant has been tortured, and that means we lose two to three years of therapy,” Drousoitou says.


Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009

FWC participates in Fish Animation Workshop in Spain

FWC associates Dr. Yiannis Laouris, Tatjana Taraszow and Lawrence Kalogreades participated in the 2009 Fish Animation Workshop in Costa Brava, Spain. The workshop lasted 3 days and focused on innovations in cognitive science and their possible implementations in future educational technology. Although previous meetings focused exclusively on the understanding and replication of fish physiology and motion, this meeting also included presentations of pioneering multi-touch displays, analyses of the cognition of motion recognition and expertise, and the use of the same principles on horse motion.

FWC co-organises a two day training course on International Refugee Law

The International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM) in cooperation with KISA –Action for Equality, Support, Antiracism and Future Worlds Center offer under the aegis of the Pancyprian Bar Association a two days training course for lawyers and members of NGO staff working with refugees on International Refugee Law 4-5 July 2009 at the Goethe Institute from 9 am – 5 pm. The training is free of charge.

INTRODUCTION TO REFUGEE LAW

The course will provide a two day introduction to international refugee law for legal practitioners and NGO staff working with refugees. The course will focus on the definition of refugee and refugee rights contained in the Convention relating to the status of Refugees of 1951, the international standards governing the legal processes by which refugee status is determined and the role of international agencies such as UNHCR in the protection of refugees. No familiarity with refugee law is required.

Trainer: Martin David Jones, Director of Research and Training, Southern Refugee Legal Aid Network, Oxford (United Kingdom)

For more information contact Larry Fergeson at his email address here or at 22 873820