The Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) is a unique multi-communal, non-for- profit, non-governmental organization established in Nicosia in 2003. Since its foundation, the AHDR has enlisted members from various ethnic, linguistic, and professional backgrounds working at various educational levels in Cyprus, making the first steps towards a greater effort to maintain a continuous, open dialogue about enhanced pedagogic practices that could encourage the values of the discipline of history.

The AHDR recognizes the values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, the UNESCO aims on education, and the Council of Europe’s recommendations relevant to history teaching.

Vision


The AHDR envisions a society where dialogue on issues of history, historiography, history teaching, and history learning is welcomed as an integral part of democracy and is considered as a means for the advancement of historical understanding and critical thinking.

Mission

 
The AHDR contributes to the advancement of historical understanding amongst the public and more specifically amongst children, youth, and educators by providing access to learning opportunities for individuals of every ability and every ethnic, religious, cultural, and social background, based on the respect for diversity and the dialogue of ideas.

More specifically, the AHDR's aims are:

  • to promote the study and research the history of Cyprus critically
  • to collect and share resources on history and history teaching
  • to gather and make archival materials on certain aspects of Cyprus's history more easily available and develop educational materials for educators and students
  • to create opportunities for educators, youth, and children to benefit from the latest developments in history teaching and history learning
  • to ensure individuals’ access and provide them with equal learning opportunities irrespective of their ability, ethnic and cultural background.
  • to nurture a critical understanding of the linkages between perceptions of history, attitudes and behaviors towards the “other”, and history education
  • to increase public awareness on the importance of dialogue and multiperspectivity on the issues of history, historiography, history teaching, and history learning
  • to enhance understanding, respect and cooperation among all communities in Cyprus and promote a culture of peace through education, at local, national and international levels.
  • to promote communication and cooperation between persons and organizations interested in history and the teaching of history at a regional, European and international level.
  • to encourage inquiry on issues related to history and the teaching of history, focusing on the development of critical historical thinking for the promotion of peace, stability, democracy and critical thinking.

Values

 
The AHDR recognizes the values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, the UNESCO aims on education, and the Council of Europe’s recommendations relevant to history teaching.