Nicosia: The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Hans Peter-Jugel, and Director of the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR), Loizos Loukaides, hosted a briefing for representatives of diplomatic missions at the House of Cooperation. They presented the activities of the Association, the 'Imagine' program, and the role of education as a confidence-building measure in Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the event, titled 'Education as a Confidence-Building Measure: Experiences through the 'Imagine' program', provided an overview of how education can foster trust and mutual understanding. In his address, the German Ambassador emphasized that "Imagine" is more than a symbolic activity; it actively builds trust, highlighting the program's effectiveness in maintaining trust even during politically challenging periods.
Dr. Kyriakos Pachoulides, Co-President of the Association, stressed the crucial role of civil society in driving change, particularly when political processes encounter obstacles. He noted that "Imagine" persists in its initiatives despite political hurdles, embodying civil society's role in creating grassroots opportunities for building bridges through education and promoting coexistence.
Hale Silifkeli, Co-President of the Association, echoed this sentiment, stating that the active involvement of teachers has been vital to the program's sustainability over the years.
The meeting was attended by Ambassadors and representatives from various diplomatic missions and institutions, including the embassies of Germany, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, Sweden, Norway, Japan, Brazil, Great Britain, and representatives from the European Commission.