Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group: Difference between revisions
fixed a number of inconsistencies and added references to books about CRTG |
Futuristas (talk | contribs) Added links to books of Anastasiou, Laouris and Hadjipavlou |
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===A stimulus for academic peace studies=== |
===A stimulus for academic peace studies=== |
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The work of the CRTG stimulated dozens of PhDs and Masters in the fields of Peace, Conflict Resolution and related studies. For example, Oliver Wolleh from erghof Peace Support <ref>http://www.berghof-peacesupport.org/</ref> published a book on the work of the CRTG<ref>Wolleh, O. (2002). Cyprus: A Civil Society Caught Up in the Question of Recognition. Available on line at: http://www.conflict-prevention.net/page.php?id=40&formid=73&action=show&surveyid=21</ref>. Three members of the CRTG ([[Harry Anastasiou]], [[Maria Hadjipavlou]] and [[Yiannis Laouris]]) have also described the work of the CRTG in their respective books. |
The work of the CRTG stimulated dozens of PhDs and Masters in the fields of Peace, Conflict Resolution and related studies. For example, Oliver Wolleh from erghof Peace Support <ref>http://www.berghof-peacesupport.org/</ref> published a book on the work of the CRTG<ref>Wolleh, O. (2002). Cyprus: A Civil Society Caught Up in the Question of Recognition. Available on line at: http://www.conflict-prevention.net/page.php?id=40&formid=73&action=show&surveyid=21</ref>. Three members of the CRTG ([[Harry Anastasiou]]<ref>Anastasiou, H. (2008). The Broken Olive Branch: Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict and the Quest for Peace in Cyprus. Volume I: The Impasse of Ethnonationalism. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press. http://www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu/fall-2008/broken-olive-branch.html </ref>, [[Maria Hadjipavlou]]<ref>Maria Hadjipavlou (2010). Women and Change in Cyprus: Feminisms and Gender in Conflict; I B Tauris & Co Ltd.</ref> and [[Yiannis Laouris]]<ref>Laouris, Y. (2011) Masks of Demons, Createspace, US. http://www.masksofdemons.com</ref>) have also described the work of the CRTG in their respective books. |
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[[Canan Öztoprak]], also one of the founding members of CRTG, who also served as Minister of Education and Culture in [[Northern Cyprus]] published an extensive criticism on the positives and negatives of the Bi-Communal meetings and Activities mainly organized by the CRTG<ref>http://www.cyprus-conflict.net/oztoprak.html</ref>. |
[[Canan Öztoprak]], also one of the founding members of CRTG, who also served as Minister of Education and Culture in [[Northern Cyprus]] published an extensive criticism on the positives and negatives of the Bi-Communal meetings and Activities mainly organized by the CRTG<ref>http://www.cyprus-conflict.net/oztoprak.html</ref>. |
Revision as of 15:39, 6 July 2011
The Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group (also referred to in the media or literature as CRTG: Conflict Resolution Trainers Group, or simply Trainers’ Group or The Trainers) was founded in 1994 by about 30 Cypriot peace pioneers (15 Greek Cypriots and 15 Turkish Cypriots). Because this group has introduced conflict resolution and structured dialogue concepts to a few thousand Cypriots, it is credited for the formation of an embryonic peace movement.
Historical Overview
The "core group" of the CRTG had come together through their participation in various conflict resolution workshops conducted by professionals and academics from the United States and Canada, particularly Herb Kelman of Harvard University, Ron Fisher of the University of Saskatchewan, Louise Diamond of the Institute for MultiTrack Diplomacy in Washington, D.C., and Diana Chigas of the Conflict Management Group in Boston. Most members of the CRTG have participated in conflict resolution workshops organized by the Cyprus Consortium and an advanced training for trainers.
The Cyprus Consortium
The Cyprus Consortium, was an ad-hoc cooperation between the Conflict Management Group (and originally NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Science) to form the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy. [1]
Developing a vision for the future
Between the fall of 1994 and the summer of 1995, this group conducted structured dialogues (also known as Interactive Management workshops) using a methodology grounded on the science of Structured dialogic design aiming to facilitate peace-building efforts in Cyprus. Two separate groups (Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots) met on a weekly basis, both in separate community meetings and in bi-communal settings. [2].
High visibility of the CRTG's contributions
Cyprus Peace Bazaar
In the third phase of their work, the CCRTG proposed a total of 241 possible projects designed to work toward their vision, and they eventually selected 15 of these projects (using democratic structured dialogue) for implementation during the following year. On June 24, 1995 they held an Agora/Bazaar in the premises of Ledra Palace to which they invited others who had expressed interest in joining them in peace building efforts[3].
Selected projects
# | PROJECT |
1 | Form study groups on Cyprus Federation/EU |
2 | Establish regular columns in G/C and T/C newspapers by members of opposite community |
3 | Schedule series of lectures by Orthodox and Muslim priests |
4 | Establish bi-communal meetings for T/Cs and G/Cs who studied together in integrated schools before 1974 (English School and American Academy) |
5 | Find sponsors for publishing books on poetry, short stories, art, folk dances in both languages |
6 | Establish a bi-communal women’s research center and support group |
7 | Form a bi-communal research center on history, social structure, traditions, culture, oral history of the two communities |
8 | Conduct bi-communal workshops for young political leaders |
9 | Establish bi-communal center to teach Internet and Greek and Turkish languages |
10 | Organize bi-communal workshops on problem solving techniques for educationalists |
11 | Set up bi-communal training/research center on conflict resolution and problem solving |
12 | Create bi-communal dialogue groups to focus on critical issues (property concerns, identity, security, etc.) |
13 | Organize poetry evenings for bi-communal audience |
14 | Organize concert with theme Peace on the Green line |
15 | Study the living conditions of T/Cs who live in the south and G/Cs who live in the north and make joint public report |
Implementation
The Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group requested financial support from the UN with a historical letter sent to UN General Secretary. In 1999, the UN established the UNOPS program, which provided funding for the above 15 and more than a hundred additional peace projects on the island.
International Recognition
During a special event held under the auspices of Fulbright, the UN, the US Embassy and a number of other Diplomatic Representations in December 1997, the members of the CRTG were honored[4]. The event took place in a newly constructed temporary building, in the yards of Ledra Palace, which was built by the UN and operated by Fulbright to host the increasing number of bi-communal workshops and seminars. During the event, a historical overview of all bi-communal groups created and facilitated by the CRTG was shown[5], [6]
Special mentioning in a UN Resolution
The work of the CRTG was recognized through United Nations Security Council Resolution 1117, which stated on 27 June 1997, Paragraph 13: “Welcomes the efforts of the United Nations and others concerned to promote the holding of bi-communal events so as to build trust and mutual respect between the two communities, urges that these efforts be continued, acknowledges the recent cooperation from all concerned on both sides to that end, and strongly encourages them to take further steps to facilitate such bi-communal events and to ensure that they take place in conditions of safety and security.”
A stimulus for academic peace studies
The work of the CRTG stimulated dozens of PhDs and Masters in the fields of Peace, Conflict Resolution and related studies. For example, Oliver Wolleh from erghof Peace Support [7] published a book on the work of the CRTG[8]. Three members of the CRTG (Harry Anastasiou[9], Maria Hadjipavlou[10] and Yiannis Laouris[11]) have also described the work of the CRTG in their respective books.
Canan Öztoprak, also one of the founding members of CRTG, who also served as Minister of Education and Culture in Northern Cyprus published an extensive criticism on the positives and negatives of the Bi-Communal meetings and Activities mainly organized by the CRTG[12].
External Links
References
- ^ http://www.gppac.net/documents/pbp/2/7_cyprus.htm
- ^ Designing the Future of Peace-Building Efforts in Cyprus. Report of Design Workshops held during Fall 1994 and Spring of 1995 with Conflict Resolution Trainers and Project Leaders. Workshops Sponsored by Cyprus Fulbright Commission Nicosia, Cyprus. Prepared 12 January 1996 by Professor Benjamin J. Broome
- ^ nnn
- ^ Laouris, Y. (2004). Information technology in the service of peace building: The case of Cyprus, World Futures, 60, 67-79
- ^ [www.tech4peace.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1100 Historical overview of all bi-communal groups created and facilitated by the CRTG]
- ^ Laouris, Y. and Laouri, R. (2008). Can Information and mobile technologies serve close the economic, educational, digital and social gaps and accelerate development? World Futures, 64, 254-275
- ^ http://www.berghof-peacesupport.org/
- ^ Wolleh, O. (2002). Cyprus: A Civil Society Caught Up in the Question of Recognition. Available on line at: http://www.conflict-prevention.net/page.php?id=40&formid=73&action=show&surveyid=21
- ^ Anastasiou, H. (2008). The Broken Olive Branch: Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict and the Quest for Peace in Cyprus. Volume I: The Impasse of Ethnonationalism. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press. http://www.syracuseuniversitypress.syr.edu/fall-2008/broken-olive-branch.html
- ^ Maria Hadjipavlou (2010). Women and Change in Cyprus: Feminisms and Gender in Conflict; I B Tauris & Co Ltd.
- ^ Laouris, Y. (2011) Masks of Demons, Createspace, US. http://www.masksofdemons.com
- ^ http://www.cyprus-conflict.net/oztoprak.html