On the eve of the first leaders’ meeting, the intercommunal organisation Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) called on both sides to support the ‘Imagine’ peace education programme, allowing a full return to island-wide activities.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the civil society organisation highlighted their commitment to dialogue and cooperation in Cyprus, pledging to continue the highly successful ‘Imagine’ programme launched in 2016 under the auspices of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Education and supported by the United Nations.
The programme engages young learners and educators through educational workshops and trainings in different themes related to peace, anti-racism and human rights. It involves mono-communal visits to schools on both sides, followed by intercommunal workshops in the buffer zone.
“We remain ready to resume full intercommunal implementation of ‘Imagine’, with the participation of classrooms during school hours, as soon as both sides reaffirm their participation and commitment to this important confidence-building measure,” said AHDR in its press release.
Obstacles to implementation
Previously, the education authorities on both sides, after getting the initial green light from the two leaders in 2016, would issue circulars to schools, inviting teachers and pupils to declare their interest to participate in the workshops – always with parental consent – during school hours in the Imagine programme. The workshops were on a purely voluntary basis. According to AHDR, the vast majority of parents, 94%, would give their consent for their child to participate.
Study visits to the other side of the dividing line would also be organised during school hours on a voluntary basis, showing pupils parts of old Nicosia for example, or other places of cultural and historical significance.
In 2022, in parallel with his new policy advocating for two separate states on the island, the then Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar pulled out of Imagine, blocking Turkish Cypriot schools, pupils and teachers from formally engaging in the programme.
After Tatar withdrew his consent, AHDR continued engaging with Turkish Cypriot teachers for training and school children for non-formal education activities in afternoons and on weekends. But the intercommunal component of bringing school children together during school hours stopped.
The association also continued mono-communal engagement with Greek Cypriot schools, with the authorisation of the Education Ministry.
However, in March 2025, the chair of the House Education Committee Pavlos Mylonas, a DIKO MP, along with members of ELAM raised the issue of ‘Imagine, objecting to the ‘study visits’ across the divide, with some even calling for the education minister’s resignation.
According to information obtained by Politis to the point, this last September, the education minister did not issue the usual circular inviting teachers and pupils to express their interest in participation, thereby preventing schools from formally participating in the programme.
Thousands of teachers and students brought together
“Since its establishment, and despite challenges and attacks, ‘Imagine’ has continued to engage more than 8,200 students and 2,600 teachers from across the divide in Cyprus. The programme demonstrates, in practice, that cooperation, empathy, and mutual understanding can be fostered through education, and that intercommunal dialogue remains both possible and essential,” said AHDR.
The Imagine programme was honoured with the GENE Global Education Award 2020/2021, highlighting its innovative and sustained contribution to Peace Education in Cyprus. In its statement AHDR expressed pride in keeping a space for educational encounters that build trust and promote a culture of peace.
The intercommunal organisation said it remains committed, active and open to all who wish to join it in this shared endeavour.
It thanked “the educators and young learners who have kept peacebuilding alive through education,” adding, “Your dedication and belief in dialogue give strength, hope and meaning to our collective vision of a peaceful, inclusive, and united Cyprus.”
AHDR is funded by the Federal Foreign Office of the Republic of Germany.