Climate change could spur cooperation in Cyprus
CIU Academician Prof. Dr. Dilek Latif spoke on prospects for reconciliation in Cyprus
Prof. Dr. Dilek Latif, one of the faculty members in the Department of International Relations of Cyprus International University (CIU), took part as a discussant in the seminar titled “Rethinking Cyprus in the World After 20, 50, 60 Years: Prospects for Reconciliation” organized by the Bi-Communal Peace Initiative.
At the event held at the House of Cooperation at a time of global crisis, potential for peace in Cyprus based on equality, respect and cooperation was discussed. Prof. Dr. Ari Sitas, known for his significant contributions to the fields of reconciliation, social justice and collective memory in South Africa and Cyprus, spoke at the opening of the seminar.
Prof. Dr. Latif, who participated in the seminar as a discussant, had taken part in a study titled “After the Annan Plan: Prospects for Reconciliation, Coexistence and Forgiveness in the Post-Referendum Period” together with Prof. Sitas. This research, supported by the Oslo World Peace Institute, aimed to understand the changing attitudes of Cypriots towards reconciliation.
In her speech, Latif evaluated the developments in the last twenty years in the light of the important findings in her research. Drawing attention to the fact that trauma and forced migration experiences increase the tendency for reconciliation, Latif stated that they found that people who experienced violence and forced migration, except for those who did not lose their loved ones, were more open to reconciliation.
Latif said that addressing individual traumas and coping with mourning processes is important, and that the Missing Persons Committee’s finding the remains of Turkish and Greek Cypriots who went missing during the conflict and returning them to their families supports social healing.
Latif also stated that interactions between the two communities play a key role in the reconciliation process, and that individuals who have limited contact with the other community exhibit a more negative attitude towards reconciliation.
Stating that the research found that younger generations are also more skeptical about reconciliation, Latif explained that Cypriots, who had the opportunity to come together through bi-communal projects and events after the partial opening of the Green Line in 2003, encouraged dialogue between the two communities through various educational programs and peace efforts of civil society organizations.
Latif also noted that they observed that women were approaching peace and reconciliation processes more cautiously, and that despite the efforts of initiatives such as the Bi-communal Women's Organizations and the Technical Committee on Gender Equality, women were still not adequately represented in official peace processes.
Pointing out that political deadlocks, nationalist rhetoric and psychological barriers make compromise difficult, Latif concluded by saying that common problems such as climate change and the global economic crisis could encourage cooperation.