Nicosia: Seventeen young Cypriots have graduated from the EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC, marking the completion of their two-year International Baccalaureate studies at UWC schools across Europe.
According to Cyprus News Agency, at a ceremony held in Nicosia and funded by the European Union, attendees included EU Member State ambassadors, EU Commission officials, representatives from the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot negotiators’ offices, UN officials, Technical Committee members on Education and Youth, alumni, families, and friends. The event celebrated not only the students’ academic accomplishments but also their role in fostering peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding between the island’s communities.
‘Europe and the world need more leaders driven by purpose and compassion. Your experience of studying alongside peers from diverse backgrounds has shown you the power of finding common ground and building bridges,’ said Giulia Bertezzolo, Head of Cooperation at the Cyprus Settlement Support Unit.
UWC International Executive Director Faith Abiodun called the gathering a ‘living proof’ of young people choosing peace. ‘Somewhere tonight, perhaps even as we gather here, a young Cypriot is attempting to balance the weight of inherited history against a fragile but extraordinary hope that the future can be different.’
Graduates Nehir, Dimitra, and Seray shared how the programme shaped them, with Dimitra reflecting on parallels between Mostar and divided Nicosia, Nehir highlighting friendships formed across communities, and Seray calling the programme one of the island’s most impactful peace-building efforts.
Launched in 2019, the EU-funded programme has awarded 82 scholarships, giving students the chance to attend UWC schools in Adriatic, Maastricht, Mostar, Red Cross Nordic, and Robert Bosch College. It also supports youth leadership and dialogue through short courses and local workshops, promoting trust and cooperation between the island’s communities.