AEGEE-Europe will as the first
international association, after the island was divided in 1974, organise a
conference in the Buffer Zone.
'Cyprus in Europe - Europe in
Cyprus', a
tri-communal conference organized in the Fulbright Centre, in the Buffer Zone,
allow not only the youth from the two communities, but also the European
students to engage in an open dialogue concerning the situation on the island.
The discussions and the look into future are needed now, as Cyprus will
join EU in less than 8 months and plans for future cooperation and communication
platforms are needed.
To the conference, organized in
cooperation with the United Nations, the Fulbright Commission as well as the
local organisation Youth Promoting Peace, 25 participants from each of the
communities are expected – Greek as well as Turkish Cypriots and students from
all over Europe.
A window of opportunity presents
itself before the accession of Cyprus to the European Union on 1 May 2004. If we
want and we all work together on it, it will be a united Cyprus that joins the
Union. All these aspects will be tackled during our Conference, through
workshops on “The Importance of Intercultural Dialogue, “The European Role” and
panel discussions.
“AEGEE is a living example of overcoming prejudices and acting. One
of our main fields of action being Peace and Stability, we have from the
beginning been active in it, by trying to build bridges between clashing
cultures. Upholding also the principle of Active Citizenship, we must undertake
concrete actions towards a stronger involvement of youth in these directions”,
says Ms. Diana Filip, president of AEGEE-Europe.
AEGEE is there in order to overbuild
the borders in reality in the last divided capital in the world while planning
the future of the own organisation. AEGEE is there to make a
difference.
AEGEE is an apolitical, non-profit
student organisation consisting of more than 260 local branches in 43 European
countries, gathering 17.000 members across Europe. The aim is to promote a
unified Europe, cross-border co-operation, communication, integration among
students and we strive to create an open and tolerant society of tomorrow. Our
main fields of action are Cultural Exchange, Peace and Stability, Active
Citizenship and Higher Education. www.aegee.org
For more information please
contact:
Diana FILIP
President AEGEE
Europe
[log in to unmask]
Rue Nestor de Tiere 15,
1030 Bruxelles
Phone: +32 2 245 23 00
Fax: +32 2 245 62
60
Web: www.aegee.org