THERE IS a crying need in Cyprus for dialogue, debate and discussion between and among the island’s communities, UNFICYP Chief of Mission Michael Moller said yesterday.
Moller also said even more importantly there was a need to overcome the pervasive and persistent lack of trust between the two sides.
The UN Secretary-general’s representative was addressing the opening of the first-ever three-day International Civil Society Fair – Open Voices, Active Citizens.
The fair, which is taking place in the Ledra Palace aims to provide over 70 Cypriot civil society organisations from all communities the opportunity to showcase their work and demonstrate to the general public the important social role they play in society.
It is being organised by the UNDP’s initiative, Action for Cooperation and Trust.
“Civil society is active, not passive,” said Moller. “People-based, people-driven civil society organisations bring vitality, diversity and a grassroots perspective to what otherwise may stagnate into a top-down, one-dimensional monochrome and stale process.”
He said civil society also acted as both a catalyst and an early warning system “a communal megaphone enabling people to voice their concerns, or a springboard for individual and collective initiatives for the public good”.
He said he hoped the fair would serve as a launch pad for a more vibrant civil society, one that would be alert to the challenges the island faces and the potential that it has.
Moller said understanding and peace was seldom sustainable if imposed by outsiders and said Cypriots on both sides instinctively understood this.
Referring to the poll released last week by UNFICYP, Cypriots had made the clear distinction between meddling and facilitating by outsiders in bicommunal activities. But the number of people engaged in bocommunal activities was still small, Moller said.
“Clearly, the politics of reconciliation demand that the voices of civil society and citizens be heard. Finding a solution to the de facto division of the island must involve a process where Cypriots grapple with issues such as the shape of Cypriot society ten and more years,” he said.
He also warned there was a need for catalysts like politicians, academics, public figures and the media to promote and support the debate. “A society’s future rests not just with its elected leaders but also with an enlightened and active citizenry,” Moller said.
“I am convinced that no solution to the problem of Cyprus will be sustainable or take sufficiently strong root unless every Cypriot has the conviction that he or she truly understands all its components and ramifications and, more importantly, feels that their voice has been heard and that they have had a say in shaping that solution. The Cyprus problem must have a Cypriot solution.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by US ambassador Ronald Schlicher who said a strong civil society was an indicator of a healthy democracy. “For it is only by actively and effectively engaging with others, whether on environmental issues, consumer protection, or even on resolution of the Cyprus problem, that people can effect positive change,” he said.
According to Jaco Cilliers, Programme Manager of UNDP-ACT: “Everyone has a role to play as an active and responsible citizen. Society grows and works for its citizens when citizens themselves are the main agents for moulding the social, economic and political dynamics of a country.”
Yesterday evening a statement was given at the Fair by The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Thomas Hammarberg, who affirmed the active role of civil society as one of the most significant elements in expanding people’s participation as a way to ensure the future prosperity of Cyprus.
“It is important for civil society groups, funders and international organisations to meet and forge partnerships in support of dialogue and reconciliation in Cyprus,” he said.
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