Technology for peace
Encyclopedia
Technology for Peace is a Cyprus based peoples' initiative launched in 1995 to serve the needs of peace pioneers on the divided island.
in 1995.
one of the most basic human rights, the right of communication, by applying modern technology in the service of peace with emphasis on the usage of Internet and Internet-based applications. A promising and creative way to enhance inter-communal communication where there exist substantial hindrances to direct contact between peoples is through the use of the Internet. Cyberspace and Internet provide an efficient, fast, tractable, confidential, organized, time and space independent means of communication. As individuals and organizations throughout the world continue to demonstrate, the Internet can overcome the challenge posed by physical separation, whether due to geographic, political or other reasons, by effectively moving discourse into "cyberspace."
, cyber peace cafes on the northern and southern parts of Nicosia have been setup, from where peace builders could communicate with their peers on the other side. In the next years, the project team developed theory of how technology in general can serve bridge the divides , as well as how technology can support the ethical engagement of all stakeholders in a dialogue which concerns their own futures
.
as a project that has contributed towards Peace and Reconciliation in Cyprus. It was one of few projects, which received support multiple times and were funded by the UNOPS, United Nations
funding scheme during the very first funding cycle.
, Harry Anastasiou
, Dervis Besimler and Bekir Azgin. They were all members of the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group
.
Laouris, Y. (2004). Information technology in the service of peace building. The case of Cyprus. World Futures, 60, 67–79.
History
The peace portal was born because it was deemed needed. What led to its birth was neither the availability of relevant technology nor the availability of funding, because both were not there. The ban of bi-communal meetings imposed by the Turkish Cypriot Authorities following the EU’s decision to postpone accession negotiations with Turkey (summit meeting in Luxembourg, December 1997) stopped face-to-face dialogues (during the time window 1994-1997) and threatened to nullify all peace building efforts on the island. The idea came out of several (# 9, 10 & 11) of the 15 peace promoting projects, which made it to the final Cyprus Peace Bazaar organized by the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers GroupCyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group
The Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group was founded in 1994 by about 30 Cypriot peace pioneers...
in 1995.
Tech4Peace vision
The vision, which underpinned the project Technology For Peace (Tech4Peace) was to enhance in Cyprusone of the most basic human rights, the right of communication, by applying modern technology in the service of peace with emphasis on the usage of Internet and Internet-based applications. A promising and creative way to enhance inter-communal communication where there exist substantial hindrances to direct contact between peoples is through the use of the Internet. Cyberspace and Internet provide an efficient, fast, tractable, confidential, organized, time and space independent means of communication. As individuals and organizations throughout the world continue to demonstrate, the Internet can overcome the challenge posed by physical separation, whether due to geographic, political or other reasons, by effectively moving discourse into "cyberspace."
Activities
The Tech4Peace team organized a series of trainings in the usage of the net to communicate across the dividing line in the years 1996-1998. In 1999, with USAID funding given to Dr. Hrach GregorianHrach Gregorian
Hrach Gregorian, PhD. is an American political consultant, educator, and writer. His work in both the private and public sectors has been mainly focused in the field of international conflict management and post-conflict peacebuilding...
, cyber peace cafes on the northern and southern parts of Nicosia have been setup, from where peace builders could communicate with their peers on the other side. In the next years, the project team developed theory of how technology in general can serve bridge the divides , as well as how technology can support the ethical engagement of all stakeholders in a dialogue which concerns their own futures
.
Contributions
The Tech4Peace project has been evaluated by for the United States Agency for International DevelopmentUnited States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas...
as a project that has contributed towards Peace and Reconciliation in Cyprus. It was one of few projects, which received support multiple times and were funded by the UNOPS, United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
funding scheme during the very first funding cycle.
Founding members
The Tech4Peace project was founded as one of the selected Cyprus Peace Bazaar Projects in 1997. The members of the founding team were Yiannis LaourisYiannis Laouris
Yiannis Laouris is a social and business entrepreneur. He is a neurophysiologist and systems scientist trained in Germany and the US, who has also become known for his socially responsible work and scientific contributions in the fields of peace and development through the application of modern...
, Harry Anastasiou
Harry Anastasiou
Harry Anastasiou a Cypriot American social and political scientist is a known pioneer in peace-building initiatives in Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East and the European Union.-Biography:Harry Anastasiou is currently Professor and leading core faculty member of Portland State University's...
, Dervis Besimler and Bekir Azgin. They were all members of the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group
Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group
The Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group was founded in 1994 by about 30 Cypriot peace pioneers...
.
Publications
Laouris, Y. and Tziapouras, G. (2002). Technology used for peace in Cyprus. Peacebuilding 3(3), 4-8.Laouris, Y. (2004). Information technology in the service of peace building. The case of Cyprus. World Futures, 60, 67–79.
External links
- http://www.tech4peace.org/
- http://mirror.undp.org/cyprus/projects/project_details.asp?ProjectID=105