The ENGAGE, Do Your Part for Peace programme has been selected as one of the 450 projects and activities worldwide that promote the rapprochement of cultures by UNESCO, giving this local Cypriot civil society initiative international recognition. With 2010 being proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, UNESCO has been assigned to play a leading role in its celebration, capitalising on the Organisation's invaluable experience of over 60 years to advance "the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples." 

The goal of the International Year is to make the rapprochement of cultures the hallmark of all policy-making at local, national, regional and international levels, involving the greatest number of relevant stakeholders. As Mrs Irena Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, said, “the resultant cross-fertilisation of our societies offers new opportunities to strengthen the ties between peoples, nations and cultures at the global level”.

Designed to strengthen the role played by civil society in the reconciliation process on the island, the ENGAGE programme works to increase the number of policy positions led by CSOs and networks, the number of partnerships supporting the reconciliation process and the number of thematic initiatives with a common approach to islandwide issues. Led by the NGO Support Centre and the Management Centre, the programme is the result of several years of hard work to bring different cultures on the island together and promote respect for diversity, transfer and exchanges between cultures. This prestigious international recognition not only acknowledges the achievements of the partners, but inspires them to continue their valuable work.