FWC supports Community Media in Cyprus

As Future Worlds Center is a founding consortium member of the Cyprus Community Media Centre (CCMC) we are proud to notify our friends that CCMC is launching their new website! Please click here to visit the website for yourself and see all the great work CCMC is doing for all communities in Cyprus.

CYPRUS’ FIRST INTERCOMMUNAL COMMUNITY MEDIA WEBSITE LAUNCHED 1 SEPTEMBER

(Nicosia, 31/08/10): Cyprus’ first intercommunal community media website is being launched 1 September 2010 by the Cyprus Community Media Centre (CCMC), showcasing dynamic new content representing civil society organisations from all communities of the island.

The CCMC, which works in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Action for Cooperation and Trust (ACT) in Cyprus, has launched its site at www.cypruscommunitymedia.org and it contains videos, photo galleries, articles, and community media-based news. The material features the work and activities of CCMC consortium members, a group of 25 organisations drawn from a broad range of civil society organisations throughout Cyprus – including the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Content includes short films covering issues such as human rights, health, youth, women, reconciliation, cultural events, development education and more. There is also a large resource section with links to community media organisations, public broadcasters and radio stations around the world, helping to forge better connections between civil society in Cyprus and global networks.

The site also features a community calendar, giving activists and civil society organisations the opportunity to upload their events and share it with a wider community, as well as information and booking form facilities for CCMC’s extensive schedule of training workshops.

“This new website will give people the opportunity to see a showcase of the work our members do throughout Cyprus,’ said CCMC consortium member İlke Dağlı. “Community media is a fairly new concept here, and we hope to use all available avenues to equip people with the information, resources, tools and equipment to make creative media. Cypruscommunitymedia.org is one of those avenues and we hope it will flourish into a community-led, discussion driven site.”

The English language version of the website is being launched on 1 September 2010 followed by versions in Greek and Turkish on 7 September 2010.

About CCMC:

The Cyprus Community Media Centre opened its doors in late 2009, aiming to encourage community media in Cyprus and support local organisations and groups in communicating their message to the public. The Centre does this through training, support, equipment, creating videos, holding public events, and offering tailored advice. CCMC is located in the heart of Nicosia’s buffer zone, in the grounds of the Ledra Palace, making it as inclusive and available as possible to all communities of the island.

FWC selected by European Commission for a 3-year peace project in Israel and the Palestinian Territories

“This is a great honour for Cyprus and for peace builders in the region to be recognised for their efforts and expertise”, says Future Worlds Center, as it facilitates a structured dialogue workshop in Cyprus from 26–30 July to empower civil society actors from Israel and the Palestinian territories

Cypriot non-governmental organisation Future Worlds Center (FWC) based in Nicosia, Cyprus has been awarded a contract from the European Commission for a 3-year EU project entitled, “Human Rights and Reconciliation – Civil Society Acts Beyond Borders”. The project aims to empower civil society actors, youth, and local authorities in Israel and the Palestinian territories through a comprehensive set of structured dialogue workshops, civil society trainings, as well as multi-communal public debates, round tables and conferences.

With the assistance of partners, the Palestinian Dialogue Center (PDC) in the Palestinian Territories and the Association for Progressive Education in Honor of Meir Yaari (YAARI) in Israel, Future Worlds Center will be utilising the strategies that have proved most effective from their years of experience in conflict resolution work in Cyprus. Through the use of the science of Structured Dialogic Design (SDD) and capacity building trainings for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the partners will work together to contribute positively to civil society in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

From 26 July to 30 July, a group of Palestinians and Israelis will be in Larnaca, Cyprus to participate in a series of SDD workshops facilitated by Dr. Aleco Christakis, father of the science and Dr. Yiannis Laouris, president of the board of Future Worlds Center. Laouris says the aim is to empower these stakeholders to “act in a more coherent manner for jointly agreed upon aims, enhancing the enforcement of equal standards, participation of women and youth, thus strengthening democratic processes and promoting peaceful resolution of conflicts”.

Laouris explains that the reason Structured Democratic Dialogue (SDD) process was chosen is “that it facilitates the peaceful conciliation and management of group interests and promotes solutions on divisive matters or controversial areas by actively engaging civil society actors to collaborate on jointly developed community action projects to foster mutual understanding”. “With SDD,” continues Laouris, “the participants can create joint, strategic action plans to promote greater cohesion in working on democratic participation and representation of underrepresented groups in civil society”.

Moreover, the project, “Human Rights and Reconciliation – Civil Society Acts Beyond Borders” (EuropeAid/127237/C/ACT/Multi) aims to enhance the capacity within CSOs to act within their community, and on a national as well as a trans-national level.

Notes:

Future Worlds Center (FWC) is “building inter-linked socio-techno-cultural worlds through science and dialogue”. Our mission is to explore and utilize the evolution of information and communication technologies to strengthen the process of peace-building and civic education, and to disseminate and promote the principles of Human Rights, Tolerance and Diversity.

Formed in 1991, Future Worlds Center has a long history of activities and projects that promote peace and reconciliation in Cyprus. FWC supports and empowers democratic peace-oriented civil society initiatives and is the European leader in using the Structured Democratic Dialogue (SDD) process.

For more information about “Human Rights and Reconciliation – Civil Society Acts Beyond Borders” (EuropeAid/127237/C/ACT/Multi) go to (http://www.actbeyondborders.net/)

For more information on Structured Democratic Dialogue (SDD) process:

http://globalagoras.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured_dialogic_design

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Society_Dialogue_project_in_Cyprus

OPEN TRAINING: The Millennium Development Goals in the context of Development Cooperation Projects

Date: 27, 28 July 2010
Venue: CCMC, Nicosia

Come and Join us at the first series of MEDEVNET Trainings on “ The MDGs in the Content of Development Cooperation Projects” at Cyprus Community Media Center where key experts of Development, EU representatives will enlighten you about how you can be more involved in Development Projects. Also, You will have the chance to interact with other NGOs who has the similar interest that you have, and get more involved in the Development Issues.

For information and for RSVP your attendance, please email to Selen Mesutoglu. We look forward seeing you all at the training session!!

TeachMDGs - First Internal Workshop a success

The EU-funded project TeachMDGs has just successfully completed its first internal workshop, which was held in Tallinn, Estonia from 8-11 July 2010. The workshop brought together members of the project team, teachers and teacher trainers from Cyprus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania and Scotland. Throughout the four days, the group explored the Millennium Development Goals and the global and local issues around them, and jointly developed a set of goals for Teaching Resources that are to be developed within the 3-year project. The workshop managed to conclude with a detailed framework of recommendations and learning objectives for a comprehensive set of resource materials. These materials are now being developed by the 5 partner organisations, in close collaboration with teachers, teacher trainers and educational authorities in order to ensure their compatibility with local school curricula, as well as in close collaboration with diaspora communities from Cameroon and Afghanistan.

For more information about the project, please visit the website at TeachMDGs.net or contact the Project Coordinator. You can also link to us on facebook.

FWC selected by European Commission for a 3-year peace project in Israel and the Palestinian Territories

“This is a great honour for Cyprus and for peace builders in the region to be recognised for their efforts and expertise”, says Future Worlds Center, as it facilitates a structured dialogue workshop in Cyprus from 26–30 July to empower civil society actors from Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Future Worlds Center based in Nicosia, Cyprus has been awarded a contract from the European Commission for a 3-year EU project entitled, “Human Rights and Reconciliation – Civil Society Acts Beyond Borders”. The project aims to empower civil society actors, youth, and local authorities in Israel and the Palestinian territories through a comprehensive set of structured dialogue workshops, civil society trainings, as well as multi-communal public debates, round tables and conferences.

With the assistance of partners, the Palestinian Dialogue Center (PDC) in the Palestinian Territories and the Association for Progressive Education in Honor of Meir Yaari (YAARI) in Israel, Future Worlds Center will be utilising the strategies that have proved most effective from their years of experience in conflict resolution work in Cyprus. Through the use of the science of Structured Dialogic Design (SDD) and capacity building trainings for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the partners will work together to contribute positively to civil society in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

From 26 July to 30 July 2010, a group of Palestinians and Israelis will be in Larnaca, Cyprus to participate in a series of SDD workshops facilitated by Dr. Aleco Christakis, father of the science and Dr. Yiannis Laouris, president of the board of Future Worlds Center. Laouris says the aim is to empower these stakeholders to “act in a more coherent manner for jointly agreed upon aims, enhancing the enforcement of equal standards, participation of women and youth, thus strengthening democratic processes and promoting peaceful resolution of conflicts”.

Laouris explains that the reason Structured Democratic Dialogue (SDD) process was chosen is “that it facilitates the peaceful conciliation and management of group interests and promotes solutions on divisive matters or controversial areas by actively engaging civil society actors to collaborate on jointly developed community action projects to foster mutual understanding”. “With SDD,” continues Laouris, “the participants can create joint, strategic action plans to promote greater cohesion in working on democratic participation and representation of underrepresented groups in civil society”.

Moreover, the project, “Human Rights and Reconciliation – Civil Society Acts Beyond Borders” (EuropeAid/127237/C/ACT/Multi) aims to enhance the capacity within CSOs to act within their community, and on a national as well as a trans-national level.

For more information about “Human Rights and Reconciliation – Civil Society Acts Beyond Borders” (EuropeAid/127237/C/ACT/Multi) go to (http://www.actbeyondborders.net/)

For more information on Structured Democratic Dialogue (SDD) process:

http://globalagoras.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured_dialogic_design

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialogue

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Society_Dialogue_project_in_Cyprus

FWC 2008 Annual Report

Please click here to view and or download our 2008 Annual Report.

Declaration of Solidarity to the Refugees

On the 19 June 2010, Vicky Germanakou, coordinator of the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT), had the opportunity to be one of the signatories of the Declaration of Solidarity to the Refugees. The event was organized on the occasion of the World Refugee Day by the Opinion Action Services Ltd and the University of Cyprus with the participation of the Minister of Interior and the Asylum Service. The signing of the Declaration signified a further step to the commitment taken on by the Government of Cyprus, along with the involved society groups, in ensuring to the protection and well-being of asylum seekers and refugees in Cyprus. In this respect, the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture, which operates since 2006 under the Humanitarian Unit of the Future Worlds Center, ensures to provide rehabilitation services to asylum seekers and refugees who are victims of torture and trafficking, assisting them and their families, to re-build their lives and harmoniously integrate into the local society.

For more information about URVT and its services please visit: www.urtv.org

CyberEthics invited to POGO Women’s Organisation Seminar

Lawrence Kalogreades, coordinator of the Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline, was invited as a guest speaker and panellist at the POGO Women’s Organisation Seminar with the subject “Sexual Molestation of Minors: Prevention Policies”. The seminar included guest speakers from local child protection and welfare societies and the social services, and was initiated by an introduction by the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, Mrs. Sotiroulla Charalambous.

A detailed expose of the nature and extent of sexual molestation in Cypriot society was the presented, upon which Lawrence presented the work of CyberEthics as a node responsible for generating awareness on issues such as online grooming and sexual exploitation, as well as the role of the Safer Internet Helplines and Hotlines. An extensive discussion with the audience then ensued, with the event lasting a total of 3 hours, 2 hours over the initial estimate.

For more information about internet safety, as well as CyberEthics and its services, please visit www.CyberEthics.info.

CyberEthics at the IZ' Primary School of Limassol

Lawrence Kalogreades, coordinator of the Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline, presented the work of CyberEthics as well as the basics of Internet safety to a group of pupils of the IZ' Primary School in Limasso. The 80 pupils who attended the presentation, which ran for two hours, showed great interest and shared their opinions and concerns with their school-mates and the coordinator of the Helpline. The children and teachers expressed the necessity for a similar presentation to be given to their parents in order to get them 'up-to-date' with technology in the same manner that their children are.

CyberEthics at the MedSchool, Larnaca

Lawrence Kalogreades of the Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline gave a presentation about Internet safety to an audience of concerned parents and educators at the MedSchool in Larnaca, Cyprus. The lecture resulted in a lengthly discussion about how to keep children safe, the legal concerns of Internet activities, as well as examples of legislative actions taken by other EU nations. The event lasted for about two hours, one hour over the estimated time-span, indicating the high level of interest on behalf of the parents and school representatives.

Join our Online Survey about Development Issues!

Are you working with a civil society organisation or a local authority in Cyprus, Greece or Malta? Are you interested in development issues? Then please take 10 minutes of your time to complete the online survey for the Mediterranean Development Network!
The survey is part of the EU funded project "Capacity and Synergy building among Development NGOs and Local Authorities in Greece, Cyprus and Malta for Development".

The overall objective of the project is to enhance cooperation of NGDO platforms and Local Authorities in the three countries, Greece, Cyprus and Malta in order to become efficient agents of development and to participate in the planning of and the debate over EU development policy.

Throughout the durtion of the project, we will offer a set of trainings and workshops on topics related to development issues and policies, an international Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Programme for CSOs, a study visit to EU institutions in Brussels, and an international Partnership Fair. For more details about the project and its activities, please check the project website at www.MeDevNet.org.

The project is implemented by the Development Education Centre European Perpective (Greece) in partnership with Future Worlds Center in Cyprus, KOPIN (Malta), the Valetta Local Council (Malta) and the Local Union of Municipalities & Town Councils of Attica (GREECE).

For further information, please contact the project coordinator.

FWC represented at The European Network of Rehabilitation Centres for Survivors of Torture Conference

The European Network of Rehabilitation Centres for Survivors of Torture is holding its annual conference from 18 - 21 May in Copenhagen, Denmark. For the first time in its history an NGO from Cyprus has been invited to attend. FWC, which operates the only rehabiitation for victims of torture in Cyprus, is that NGO.

Rehabilitation Centres for Survivors of Torture from around Europe are represented at the conference and many themes will be discussed. This year’s theme is “Right to health and rehabilitation” and RCT together with OASIS is hosting the conference.

The overall theme of the conference is the rights based aspects of health and rehabilitation; how does this issue play out in terms of policy and practice? What are the health professional and political perspectives on the issue? What obligations do States have vis a vis the health of torture survivors? To what degree have States met these obligations?

About the network
Within the boundaries of the Council of Europe about 100 centres and programmes provide assistance to victims of human rights violations, either asylum seekers and refugees in host countries, or victims of past or current regimes.

Considering the political developments in Europe and in particular the fall of the Soviet regime, the enlargement of the European Union and the development of a common EU asylum system, there was a strong need for more cooperation and a sharing of experiences and expertise between the regional organisations providing support to victims of torture and also the appeal of facing new international challenges together.

Therefore, in 2003, the organisations created an informal network: The European Network of Rehabilitation Centres for Survivors of Torture.

The network presents three levels of activities:

* Large networking conferences
* Workshops and groups focusing on specific issues
* A clinical discussion group
* Ongoing dialogue and coordination through use of internet

Participants include psychotherapists, doctors, psychologists, social workers, lawyers and administrators.

CyberEthics on NTV's noon news programme

Lawrence Kalogreades of CyberEthics and coordinator of the Safer Internet Helpline was hosted by Dimitris Souglis on NTV's noon news programme. The two discussed the recent events in Cyprus regarding Internet related crimes and how the public has reacted to them, as well as the perceived causes of the increase in such events. Lawrence then explained to the viewers how to keep themselves and their children safe by changing some simple things in the way that they behave online (you can find out more at www.cyberethics.info). The issue received considerable attention as indicated by the fact that the number of people dialing in to address their concerns on the issue was so high that it was not possible to address each caller individually. That being said, CyberEthics and its associates have been invited back and will soon be featured more extensively on NTV.

Panel Discussion on the Millennium Development Goals and the role of the Cypriot Society – more collaborative efforts needed to achieve the MDGs

A panel discussion addressing the role of Cyprus to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals was successfully held Monday, 3rd May at the European University Cyprus with the participation of high-level guests from the European Parliament, Cyprus government, NGO members, academics and university students.

The discussion was opened by Dr. Kostas Gouliamos, Vice-Rector Research and External Relations, and moderated by Mrs. Petra Daniel, Senior Instructor at the Department of Social and Behaviour Sciences of European University.

Mrs. Frances-Galatia Lanitou-Williams, Head of Department of Development and Humanitarian Aid of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cypriot MEP Ms. Antigoni Papadopoulou, Dr. Petros Stathopoulos, Professor of Social Work from School of Humanities and Social Sciences of the European University Cyprus and Ms. Kerstin Wittig, Head of the Global Education Unit at Future Worlds Center were members of the panel who discussed about the contribution of Cyprus towards the Millennium Development Goals, the role of the Cypriot Official Development Assistance, Cyprus’ participation in international efforts especially with regards to gender related poverty alleviation, as well as the role of civil society and the educational sector in contributing to the commitments of the MDGs and a globally responsible society.

Guest speakers celebrated Cyprus’ contribution as a donor within the European Union, but agreed that further initiatives should be taken to raise awareness on global responsibility of citizens and ensure sustainability of actions in this area. Panelists pointed out the important role that Media and Education play towards achieving these aims and stressed the necessity of establishing further collaboration between different stakeholders involved in the MDGs.

The discussion was attended by a variety of university students, educators, diplomats and civil society representatives from different backgrounds who contributed by raising their own questions and offering their comments. The event is expected to contribute to a stronger cooperation between governmental bodies, civil society and academia in actions promoting the MDGs in Cypriot society. The event was jointly organized by Future Worlds Center and the European University Cyprus in the framework of the EU-funded project “TeachMDGs” which is currently being implemented by Future Worlds Center.

This event is supported by the EU funded project ‘TeachMDGs’. The main aim of the project is to increase awareness and public support for the Millennium Development Goals through actively engaging teacher training institutes, teachers and pupils in developing local oriented teaching resources about the MDGs with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa and promote these through comprehensive teacher trainings. TeachMDGs is coordinated by Future Worlds Center in partnership with Lithuania, Estonia, Bulgaria and Scotland. The views expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of Future Worlds Center and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Safer Internet presentation at Ayia Fyla Lyceum

On the 14th of April 2010, members of the Cyberethics team, Dr. Yiannis Laouris and Mrs. Georgina Shitta together with the Head of the Cyber Crime unit of the Police Mr. Markos Nikolettis, had the opportunity to give a presentation to the students of the Ayia Fyla Lyceum, in Limassol. Around 250 students were present, who eagerly participated in the discussions after the presentations were over and in fact had many valid points and questions regarding Internet use and their own perceptions about how to use the Internet properly.

Cyberethics Parent’s Association presentation in Limassol Primary

After being invited by the Parents’ Association of the 10th Primary School Xalkoutsa in Limassol, Mrs. Georgina Shitta, Cyberethics coordinator, Mr. Panikos Iakovou from CYTA and Savvas Simaiou from the Cyber crime unit of the Police, gave a presentation regarding Internet safety on the 28th of April 2010.

The teachers, parents and their children listened on as the presenters explained how to keep themselves and their children safe while surfing online. This generated much discussion at the end of the presentations since most people consider the Internet to be a source of danger rather than as a source of knowledge and democratic expression, which the parents agreed with and wanted to become more informed about how to keep their children’s Internet use productive rather than harmful.

The school’s officials extended their gratitude for the presentation and want to organize such a presentation again to the pupils of the school.

Safer Internet Day 2010 Conferences

On February 9th, Safer Internet Day 2010, the Cyprus Safer Internet Center organized a conference in Nicosia to celebrate the day. First presenter at this event was Mrs. Goula Frangkou, delegate of the office of Commissioner for personal data collection, which discussed about personal data, laws, rights and obligations. Second presenter was Dr. Michael Vafopoulos, coordinator of the post-graduate program in Web science at the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki that discussed about social networks, options and opportunities in real life. Following Dr. Vafopoulos was Mr. Nikos Vasilakos, reporter and counselor for www, representing Internet Now! and president of the Association of Hellenic Internet Users. After the presentations followed a discussion between the presenters, the audience and a panel of six students (2 from the Cyprus children parliament) coordinated by Mr. Yiannis Laouris that led to a very interesting and productive discussion. In detail the children that took part in the panel discussion were: Christos Dimitrof (B’ Technical school Limassol), Stefania Charalambous (Gymnasium Kokkinochorion), George Charalambous ( Lyceum Dasoupolis), Dimitra Katechaki (Gymnasium Faneromenis Larnaca), Anthoulla Fella (President of the Children’s Parliament) and Tasos Stylianou (Children’s Parliament member).


On February 10th an English speaking Safer Internet Day conference took place at the CYTA amphitheatre. First speaker was Dr. Michael Vafopoulos, coordinator of the post-graduate program in Web science at the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki that discussed about social networks, options and opportunities in real life. Following Dr. Vafopoulos was Mr. Michalis Kitromilides from the office of Commissioner for personal data collection, which discussed about personal data, laws, rights and obligations. After the presentations followed a discussion between the presenters, the audience and the children’s panel coordinated by Mr. Yiannis Laouris that led to a very interesting and productive discussion. In detail the children that took part in the panel discussion were: Charalambos Mouzouris (GC School), Melissa Soukiouroglou (GC School), Rania Kouros (English school), Maria Kountouri (Pascal English school), Savvas Kourtis (American Academy Larnaca), Nicholas-Stafenos Helas (Children’s Parliament member) and Fay Wonepfer (Children’s Parliament member).

CyberEthics meet with the pupils of the Aradippou Primary School

Georgina Siitta, coordinator of the CyberEthics Internet Awareness Center, and Lawrence Kalogreades, coordinator of the Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline, were invited by the Aradippou Primary School in order to give a presentation about various issues regarding Internet safety and ethical behaviour. About 70 children listened on as Lawrence and Georgina explained the benefits and hazards of the Internet, and how the children themselves can learn to behave safely and responsibly while interacting online. The children were excited by the subject matter and had alot to say about their own usage of the Internet and their own concerns or experiences while online. The concluding comment was that in the case of the children, it is their responsibility to behave sensibly and respectfully while on the Internet, and also to be willing to act as teachers for their parents some times in order to get their parents better acquainted with their own children's changing world and social attitudes.

CyberEthics at Radio Pafos 93.7FM

Lawrence Kalogreades, coordinator of the Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline, was invited to discuss safer Internet issues on the Radio Pafos program 'Προχωράμε Μαζί', hosted by Olga Ioannou. The two discussed the importance of understanding the Internet as a beneficial tool which however can contain hidden hazards for the inexperienced. With this in mind, the program focused on the responsibility of the parents to become educated in ICT in order to be capable of giving proper advice and guidance to their children, as well as avoiding hazards themselves. The discussion attracted the attention of the audience who called in and asked questions and also challenged the position that parents can make a difference when it comes to a child's behaviour on the Internet. As a concluding remark, Lawrence stated that parents should not turn a blind-eye to their children's activities on the Internet, but should not spy on their children either. With that in mind, a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding should be developed in order for the youngsters to feel comfortable discussing these issues with their parents, not only because they feel that it is acceptable but also because they need to feel that their parents are also knowledgable in the subject.

Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline coordinator at Aradippou Primary School

After being invited by the Parents’ Association of the Aradippou Primary School, Lawrence Kalogreades, coordinator of the Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline, gave a presentation regarding Internet safety.

The parents listened on as Lawrence explained how to keep their children safe but also how to give them enough liberty in order to not be suppressive. This view generated much discussion since most people consider the Internet to be a source of danger rather than as a source of knowledge and democratic expression, which the parents agreed with and wanted to become more informed about how to keep their children’s Internet use productive rather than harmful.

The school’s officials extended their gratitude for the presentation and have already invited Lawrence back in order to give the same presentation directly to the pupils of the school.