Policy Paper: Education for Sustainable Peace in Cyprus
The AHDR’s vision and priorities for sustainable peace through education in Cyprus are elaborated upon in this Policy Paper to inform the organisation’s work for the years to come, to establish alliances with stakeholders in the field, to make a contribution to the scientific state of art in the field, and to disseminate a comprehensive paper of reference for other entities.
Vision: The Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) envisions an education that creates the conditions for children, youth, and teachers to respond effectively to the challenges Cyprus is facing in relation to the existing culture of violenceThis should be done by equipping individuals with the relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes for creating a culture of peace, and rethinking our relationship with the Earth and with each other. In doing so, the AHDR adheres to international documents and guidelines by international organisations such as the UN, UNESCO and the Council of Europe.
Summary of Recommendations:
Education needs to become inclusive and participatory by engaging all stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of proposed reforms
Education needs to follow an evidence-informed and interdisciplinary approach
Educational stakeholders need to implement creative and innovative learning solutions which involve the development of digital tools and e-learning sources and courses
The aim of education is to be learner-centred, equipping learners as active citizens
Sustainable peace is a process of change which requires the establishment of accessible, decentralised, and alternative spaces and collaborative networks
These steps may allow us to build trust and respect diversity both inter- and intra-communally.
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Read Spyros Spyrou's Reflection on the policy paper here.
Read Biran Mertan's Reflection on the policy paper here.
The Association for Historical Dialogue & Research (AHDR) has undertaken an intensive and all inclusive process of developing a policy paper on how it envisions education in a multicultural, multilingual, and multi-faith society in Cyprus. Thanks to the many contributions from educators, researchers, education specialists and unionists, as well as a communications strategy in which all interested individuals and organizations had the opportunity to submit their views and ideas on the issue via various mediums, the final paper was shared with the public.
The AHDR proposes a holistic view to education, in which goals of peace education, intercultural education, human rights education, and environmental education are integrated
During a presentation held on the 10th July 2013, the theoretical background of the paper, including its aims and scope were shared. Furthermore, participants were invited to participate in a discussion on how the recommendations included in the paper could have the maximum impact and advocated to both more people and key people.
This initiative is based on the AHDR’s comprehensive research project, exploring history teachers’ views of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot history curricula and textbooks used across the existing divide in Cyprus, as well as history teachers’ use of methods that promote, historical thinking in their teaching.
This animation video is intended to promote the official publication of the Policy Paper of the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR), to educators and students in Cyprus and around the globe, spreading the message of dialogue and critical thinking.
Τhis initiative is part of the AHDR’s Multiperspectivity and Intercultural Dialogue in Education (MIDE) project, which is supported by the United Nations Development Programme – Action for Cooperation and Trust (UNDP-ACT).
Proposal on the reform of history education across the divide to both educational authorities and members of AHDR who are an active component of the efforts for history reform in both educational systems. The proposal constitutes a guiding principle of our work.
By learning to think historically, we also learn to understand one another, accept and cooperate with each other.
