The ‘Teaching for Peace Awards’ recognise the dedicated educators who have made a remarkable contribution to education for peace in Cyprus, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Colin Stewart, said on Thursday evening. He was addressing the ‘Teaching for Peace Awards’ of the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) held at the House of Cooperation, in the buffer zone of Nicosia. In his remarks, Stewart said that today is the International Day of Peace, and it is also a special moment in the history of bicommunal civil society efforts to promote peace, as it is also the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the AHDR. He praised the work of the AHDR saying that the Association has worked tirelessly in support of the peace process. He noted that over the years, AHDR has created opportunities for educators, youth, and children to benefit from the latest developments in history, teaching, and history learning. He said also that the House of Cooperation in the buffer zone was an initiative of the AHDR and that in cooperation with UNFICYP and Norway, it became a reality. Stewart noted that the ‘Teaching for Peace Awards’ recognise dedicated educators who have made a remarkable contribution to education for peace on the island. The first award was presented posthumously to Costis Achniotis and Stewart presented the award to Costis Achniotis’ daughter, Myrto. Referring to Achniotis, Stewart said that “he dedicated his life to peace and the reunification of Cyprus.” He noted that Achniotis’ dedication to a united Cyprus fostered a culture of peace and reconciliation in the education community of Cyprus throughout his career, adding that the educator’s life’s work opened new paths and set an example for future generations. The second award was presented to Turkish Cypriot teacher Sener Elcil, by Hermann-Josef Conrads, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Nicosia. The other prizes were awarded to Mary Mahera, Zuhal Mustafaogullari and Chrystalla Pitsiri. Director of AHDR Loizos Loukaides said that the awards aim to honour the contribution of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot educators who have dedicated their work ad life in promoting understanding among people and in cultivating a culture of peace and non-violence. “It is our conviction that their teachings, as well as this award will constitute an example for others and will inspire further changes and cultivate the necessary hope,” he added. One of the founding members of AHDR Kyriakos Pachoulides presented the organisation’s work and noted that its mission is to promote peace and create bridges of cooperation and mutual understanding in Cyprus and the world at large. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency