Nicosia - 25 September 2012 - Cyprus 2015 will host an international
Peace and Reconciliation Conference, where several international experts from 8 different countries (including US, Israel, Rwanda and South Africa) as well as local experts will present their latest approaches to conflict resolution, on Wednesday 26th September at 16:00, at Home 4 Cooperation, opposite Ledra Palace in the UN Buffer Zone.
This conference inaugurates a three-day discussion on various models for measuring reconciliation, which will lead to the launch of a Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SoCoRe) Index.
What is a Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SoCoRe) Index?
One of the latest developments by Cyprus 2015 is the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation (SoCoRe) Index, a statistical tool that will accurately monitor and, to some extent “predict”, the state of reconciliation in Cyprus, acting as an early warning tool for socio-political tensions within the two communities. SoCoRe is meant to be a real service for local practitioners, donors and decision-makers who seek to understand the context of Cyprus and proceed with targeted interventions and actions. At a later stage, the model is expected to be implemented in other contexts/regions, creating a network of SoCoRe monitors.
Who is Cyprus 2015?
‘Cyprus 2015: research and dialogue for a sustainable future’ (
www.cyprus2015.org), launched in May 2009, is a peace-building project implemented by Interpeace (
www.interpeace.org), and supported by UNDP’s initiative in Cyprus: Action for Cooperation and Trust (ACT), which is funded by USAID.
Cyprus 2015 aims to work towards a creative and constructive social debate for the long-term sustainable future of Cyprus and towards bridging the gap between public opinion and the peace process through participatory action research and targeted policy interventions.
What happens next? SeeD: The first inter-communal think tank in Cyprus
In order to ensure the continuity and sustainability of these efforts beyond the project itself, Cyprus 2015 has recently institutionalised its initiative into the first inter-communal think-tank called ‘
Center for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development’ (SeeD).
Having evolved out of the Cyprus 2015 project, SeeD is committed to enable societies at all levels to make informed decisions, based on the values of inclusivity, accountability and democracy. The ultimate goal of SeeD is to promote inclusivity and knowledge as the basis for policy decisions while raising awareness of citizens so as to increase civic participation, responsibility and multi-perspectivity.