Cyprus, located in the eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, north of Egypt and west of Syria, has been divided by a patrolled UN buffer zone since 1974, with Turkish-speaking Muslims on the north and Greek-speaking Christians on the south. CFP works to bridge the divided communities by building friendships amongst the teens from both sides of the divide. This residential component of the year-long program is essential in sealing the bonds of friendship. Teens return to Cyprus as living proof that they can get along in everyday life.
Why Cyprus? Why CFP?
· The conflict between the two communities (Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot) has its roots in the 1950′s and 1960′s. In 1974, a war brought about a geographical partition with UN Peacekeepers still separating two deeply divided communities,.
· Most Cypriots younger than 38 years old have grown up without contact with anyone from the other side.
· Each community has its own version of history and “the demons” are the people on the other side of the divide.
· Both communities are filled with wonderful people who have much in common culturally, but the long years of separation have made most unaware of this fact.
· There are adults willing to volunteer enormous efforts to help promote friendships between the two communities and teens in both communities seeking to become friends with members of the other.
· Only since 2003 has it been possible for Cypriots to cross the divide through a few checkpoints. But, there are significant restrictions (e.g., they can visit, but cannot live in the ‘other side’.)
· English is the common (second) language for both of the communities.
· The island is small enough that a program of CFP’s size may make a difference.
· Cypriot society is becoming increasingly polarized and extremist groups have been harassing and threatening CFP coordinators and CFP teenagers. Despite these threats not one of the members of the CFP family in Cyprus suggested to give up the struggle. On the contrary, the work of CFP continues to grow.
· CFP’s approach in bringing together Cypriot youth and their families from across the divide is unique.
· Cyprus is one of the more densely militarized places on the planet. Citizen peace building work that replaces fear with trust is a necessary component for any political agreement leading to the demilitarization of the island.
· Hatred and prejudice against the other community is common amongst the youth of the island and cases of peaceful coexistence are very rare. CFP teenagers are a living example that peace is possible and have already inspired and given hope to many thousand Cypriots.
· Cyprus is a key interface between the Christian and Islamic worlds.
· The division in Cyprus is a major impediment for Turkey to be admitted to the European Union.
· Peace in Cyprus might offer a model elsewhere in the Middle East.
· Families hosting Cypriot teens in their homes in the US show the goodwill, caring, and generosity of Americans.
· The strong relationships that develop between the host families and teens result in bonds between Americans and two communities in the Middle East.
· Those in Cyprus seeking friendship between the two communities greatly appreciate the involvement of Americans without a political agenda and who treat both communities, their cultures, and their beliefs with equal respect. (See below for what the CFP teens are saying in their presentations to schools and youth clubs across Cyprus about the role of the Americans in the program.)
http://cyprusfriendship.org/?page_id=1164
