The Association for Social Reform OPEK has strongly condemned what it describes as “orchestrated attempts of misinformation and distortion” against the bi-communal ‘Imagine’ peace education programme.
In a statement released on February 25, OPEK expressed concern about efforts to undermine initiatives fostering dialogue between Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, characterising such actions as attempts to “drag us back to the past, to obscurantism and separation.”
The ‘Imagine’ programme, which has received backing from President of the Republic of Cyprus and is referenced in the UN Secretary-General’s recent report on Good Offices in Cyprus (January 3, 2025), has facilitated interactions between 6,700 students and 1,200 educators from both sides of the Green Line.
OPEK defended the Education Minister against what it termed “unjustified attacks” and emphasised that the programme’s educational initiatives, including voluntary activities in the northern part of Cyprus, are designed to build a “culture of peace and coexistence.”
“Instead of seeking channels of communication, dialogue and common perspective, some insist on measuring patriotism through the refusal to know our entire homeland,” the statement noted, suggesting that nationalist rhetoric aims to convince Cypriots that “Cyprus ends at the Green Line.”
The organisation attributed recent criticism to political opportunism ahead of upcoming elections, claiming that certain groups are “using people’s sensitivities to build political capital.”
According to OPEK, the programme has been widely recognised for its significant contribution to promoting reconciliation between communities, as noted in UN documentation. The federation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that “build bridges instead of walls.”
Observers note that peace education programmes in Cyprus often navigate complex political sensitivities, with critics sometimes questioning whether such initiatives adequately address historical grievances related to the 1974 division of the island.
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