A very well designed and professionally executed event. The number of participants, quality of speakers and level of interaction at the forum was impressive. UNDP-ACT, Cyprus

Civil society and policy influencing: the European context and peace building

This forum went well beyond everyone's expectations, with pro-active and inspiring sessions, smooth organisation, and excellent media coverage.

Cypriot CSOs have the chance to become increasingly important actors in policy influencing both at home and abroad. Two critical areas that underpin the island’s development and present new opportunities for CSOs were at the centre of the forum: European policy influencing and peace building.

The Cypriot Civil Society Strengthening Programme produced two colourful booklets on these areas, that available to download.

The European context

The European Union and Council of Europe have taken an increasingly prominent role on Cyprus since 2004, with new opportunities for Cypriot civil society to engage both within EU institutions and in Cyprus-focused EU programmes. The EU offers the possibility of linking with Europe-wide civil society networks; of engaging in civil dialogue and advocacy with EU institutions, and of access to EU/Council of Europe initiatives and funding sources. How can Cypriot CSOs seize these opportunities?

Booklet 1 deals with opportunities for Cypriot CSOs to engage with European institutions.

Civil society in peacebuilding

Booklet 2 is about civil society in peacebuilding – worldwide and on Cyprus. Civil society has a critical role in addressing issues of trust, conflict and peace building. This takes place both in specific, peace-focused civil society activities but also more indirectly as part of working together for different purposes.

Some questions discussed at the forum included: What are the opportunities for civil society to shift the political stalemate? Through what mechanisms can civil society peace building happen? What can be learned from other contexts such as Northern Ireland and South Africa? What is the Cypriot civil society experience of peace building?  

 Booklets available to download

Two booklets where produced that covered the topics of the forum, and are available in English, Greek and Turkish.

• Booklet 1: Keynote and Europe sessions
• Booklet 1: Civil Society - rebuilding peace worldwide