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The Cyprus programme
In September 2008, 29 18-26 year olds came together in Nicosia, the Cypriot capital. They had travelled from all over the world to explore the theme 'Conflict & Beyond'.
Just ten days earlier, Cypriot President, Demetrius Christofias, and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mehmet Ali Talat, had entered into peace negotiations. Their task? To resolve more than fifty years of division and recurring interethnic violence.
At a crucial point in the history of Cyprus, the Nkabom group talked at some length with both of these leaders, posing challenging questions and debating the points they raised.
A day later, the group were privileged to learn about the history of the conflict from a rare vantage point – inside the Green Line – where UN peacekeepers gave a once-in-a-lifetime tour of former battle sites and introduced them to senior mediators in the official negotiation room.
Participants also engaged with young Cypriots, and considered how education and sport can bridge divides as they participated in an island-wide basketball tournament.
Yet the focus often lay beyond Cypriot shores. Workshops with the British Council, local NGOs and the Commonwealth Secretariat used drama, debate and filmmaking to delve deeper into the causes of conflict. Through peer-led sessions, participants were encouraged to share their experiences, their ideas and their hopes for the future. Other activities equipped the group with the skills they need to act as effective agents for change.