Civil Society News

Voices Against Homophobia 12-31 May 2012

Sat - 12 May

Voices Against Homophobia In honour of 17 May, International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), CCMC member accept – LGBT Cyprus is organising a series of activities titled “Voices Against Homophobia 2012”. The activities in the series “Voices against Homophobia 2012” include a number of events to be held between 12 and 31 May 2012 in Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos. At the ‘Peace Hall’, at the end of Ledra Street, Lefkosia, an exhibition will be hosted with covers of press media of Cyprus and other countries, with the theme of homophobia. Moreover, a number of activities will be held in aiming to inform the general public on the issue of homophobia and discrimination made on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The link with the full program can be found here in English and here in Greek. CCMC, along with its member NGO Support Centre and the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus will be co-organising a Rainbow Human Library event at the Peace Room on Ledra Street at 19:00 on 18 May, as part of this series. For more information click here.

«ENGAGE on the Move» goes to Agros!

Travel with ENGAGE to the 6th Rose Festival and get a close look on the social image of volunteerism and local traditions. On Sunday 13 May, 10:00 -20:00, at the surrounding area of the “Glafkos Clerides” Sports Centre in Agros, ENGAGE will be participating at the 6th annual Rose Festival in Agros, Troodos. ENGAGE will be a contributor to the event as it will introduce to the public the dieticians Chrystalleni Lazarou and Nasa Patapiou, who will speak about the importance of the rose and its products as well as its traditional relationship with Cyprus and its habitants. The speech of the two specialists will take place at 18:00 at the “Glafkos Clerides” Sports Centre. On the same day, the ENGAGE team will team up with Agros Youth Centre and jointly operate a small kiosk from which they will be informing the public (with print and audiovisual material) about the project’s activities and the good work that the Cyprus NGOs are doing towards raising awareness and mobilising the citizens for the common good of Cyprus and the ongoing reconciliation process. The aim is to bring together the habitants of the village, the wider Pitsilia area and of Troodos in general, as well as other visitors of the Festival with the Cyprus Civil Society and its wide range of activity and contribution to the island and its people. Moreover, ENGAGE will provide the public with the opportunity to express their opinions, ideas and enquiries in relation to volunteerism and their attempt for increasing active citizenship in Cyprus. The ENGAGE volunteer team will be present at the Festival all day. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

End of Year bicommunal basketball tournament

Tue - 01 May

CCMC member PeacePlayers-Cyprus is organising its end-of-the-year basketball tournament for youth ages 11 to 16 on Saturday, the 5th of May at Poliproponitirio (behind Lefkotheo Stadium) in Nicosia, from 10:30-14:00. The aim of this event is to bring children from different communities from across Cyprus together to play basketball in an inclusive and fun-filled environment and celebrate the completion of another year of bicommunal activity and sport interaction. “This tournament is a great way to promote the sport of basketball but also to bring out a message that cooperation and collaboration through sport is possible by encouraging Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot youth to interact with each other and participate. Our tournament will bring together over 150 children to play and learn with each other over an afternoon of basketball, food and music. All are welcome to come and watch us!” said Marina Vasilara, PeacePlayers – Cyprus Managing Director.

Home for Cooperation turns one!

Sun - 29 Apr

In some ways we can't believe the Home for Cooperation, our neighbour in the Nicosia buffer zone, is celebrating its one year birthday in a few days. But in other ways, we can barely remember a time when it wasn't a fixture of the area, attracting a diverse range of creative, dynamic and dedicated groups and individuals. On Sunday 6 May 2012, the Home for Cooperation (H4C) and our member the Association for Historical Dialogue & Research (AHDR) are planning a truly memorable celebration of this occasion, with a street festival which will take place at the H4C from 3pm. The festival will include a host of activities for all to enjoy, including bike tours of Nicosia, games, painting and graffiti activities, laughter yoga, live music, and other surprises. Download the full programme here and the poster here. Be part of this historic event by joining CCMC and others for these celebrations and help us make the 6 May truly unforgettable! For more info on H4C click here.

Screening: 'The Age of Stupid'

Tue - 24 Apr

The Youth Power network are launching their first Film Night at 18:30pm on Thursday 26 April 2012, with the screening of The Age of Stupid, an indie documentary film. The screening will take place at the Cyprus Community Media Centre and will be free of charge, accompanied by refreshments. This multi-award winning documentary starring Pete Postlethwaite, is about a man living in the devastated future world of 2055, looking back at old footage from our time and asking: why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance? The Youth Power Film Nights will take place every two months.