LocationsGrant signed for the Interactive education program for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth on shared heritage
June 14, 2022
Nicosia, 9 March 2022 – An event marking the signing of the grant for the Interactive education program for Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth on shared heritage: A project of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, funded by the Government of the United States of America and implemented by UNDP was held at the Home for Cooperation at 10:00 AM on 9 March 2022.
In attendance at the event were representatives of the US Embassy, the European Commission, members of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, and UNDP.
The event included speeches from Her Excellency Judith G. Garber, US Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Jakhongir Khaydarov, UNDP Cyprus’s Head of Office, Mr. Sotos Ktoris, the Greek Cypriot co-chair of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and Mr. Ali Tuncay, the Turkish Cypriot co-chair of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.
Her Excellency Judith G. Garber, US Ambassador to Cyprus spoke about the importance of educating youth on cultural heritage:
“The United States, and our Embassy in Cyprus, have a long history of supporting the great work of the UNDP and the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. I am very happy to see we are once again working together to bring the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities closer to their shared heritage, and to each other, through education and conservation. And while the focus of cultural heritage is rightly on preserving the past, we know that in order to counter any threat to our history, we must make sure our future, your youth have the knowledge and passion to continue to preserve the legacies left to them. Which is why I am proud this project will not only raise awareness of these issues today, but it will equip the next generation with the knowledge and confidence it needs for activism, for awareness, and for action in the future.”
Jakhongir Khaydarov, UNDP Cyprus’s Head of Office expressed his appreciation for the support of the US and said:
“The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage has entrusted UNDP with the implementation of almost 100 physical projects for the protection and safeguarding of cultural heritage up to now and we would like to thank them for this. We stand before you today as proud partners. Together, based on your guidance and vision we continue to preserve the cultural heritage of the island. Nevertheless, we recognize that the sustainability of our joint efforts depends on the success of our work with youth. For this reason, I would like to thank the US Government for the funding for this very important project, which will allow us to work towards extending the involvement of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Cypriot youth in the work of the Technical Committee. I extend our thanks and appreciation also to the European Union. As the main donor of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage since its establishment in 2008, we are grateful for their support and funding, which has brought to fruition this substantial body of work which we are all so proud of and which has inspired many more partnerships to flourish.”
Sotos Ktoris, the Greek Cypriot Co-chair of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage spoke about the work of TCCH:
“We recognize and highly value the impact the youth can have in the promotion of a culture of understanding and mutual respect amongst Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. More specifically, in efforts that aim in ensuring the protection and preservation of our cultural heritage, though shared responsibility, to ensure that our island’s monuments can be enjoyed by future generations. In this context, the TCCH is currently implementing a Digital Heritage component that will provide the necessary digital tools so that youth in both communities can undertake this responsibility. Most importantly, we believe that the creation of a web based and interactive learning environment, where young Turkish and Greek Cypriots will have the opportunity to learn about the cultural heritage of our island Cyprus, will be an important tool in our efforts to contribute to peace and reconciliation in Cyprus.”
Ali Tuncay, the Turkish Cypriot co-chair of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage called attention to the importance of educating youth on cultural heritage:
“Education is central to the mission of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. As the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, we believe that the development of the educational approach for the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot children is an important issue that would assist the protection of the cultural heritage of the island of Cyprus. By protecting the shared cultural heritage and promoting the diversity of the heritage of the island of Cyprus, we will also contribute to the development of the culture of peace, understanding, cooperation, and dialogue between the younger generations of the island. I would like to thank the US State Department for its generous contribution to the development of this important project of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage."
For further information and media enquiries please contact UNDP at: media.cy@undp.org or Tel. +357 22874733 or +90392 2200027.
European Union
Since 2012 approximately €19.9 million of European Union funds have been provided by the European Commission to implement the priorities of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage forthe preservation of the island-wide cultural heritage in Cyprus. The European Union is the biggest supporter of the work of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage in Cyprus.
The Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, based on Council Regulation 389/2006, aims at facilitating the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, with particular emphasis on the economic integration of the island, on improving contacts between the two communities and with the EU, and on preparation for the EU body of laws (also referred to as acquis communautaire).
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EU Infopoint on Facebook - www.abbilgi.eu/en/ - www.abbilgi.eu/tr/
The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage
The Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage works in line with the mutually agreed mechanism for the preservation of the island’s common heritage. In 2009, the Advisory Board was set up by a decision of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage and approved by the two leaders as the consultative body of the Committee. The aim of the Board is to protect, preserve and facilitate the preservation, physical protection and restoration (including research, study and survey) of the immovable cultural heritage of Cyprus. This mechanism allows for the practical aspects of preservation to be considered in a non-political manner so that practical measures can be taken to improve the situation on the ground.
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United Nations Development Programme
UNDP aims to contribute and support the peace-building process in Cyprus and to enhance cooperation between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriot by implementing a range of confidence building measures.
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