Home for Cooperation

Cyprus became independent from British colonial rule on Aug 16, 1960 (the 50s and 60s were the time that most imperialist nations lost their possessions in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia). The Greek and Turkish Cypriots had been united in their desire to remove British control of the island.  A constitution was created, but neither side was very pleased with it.

What can be very difficult for an outsider to understand is that everyone here is Cypriot, but either of Greek or Turkish national origin.  Just like American citizens are American, but of varying ethnicities and origins.  In 1963, the Cypriot leader (of Greek origin) proposed changes to the constitution which would eliminate some of the protections provided to the Cypriots of Turkish origin.  The Turkish Cypriots in the government were removed from their positions, and the violence began.

It's very complicated, but at various points in history, both the Greek and Turkish governments sent troops to fight on the island.  A good brief history can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Cyprus_since_1878

Cyprus joined the UN in 1960, and called up it's help in 1964.  The UN maintains a constant presence on the island.  In 1974, the UN created a demilitarized zone (called the Green Zone) the length of the island.  The violence decreased until 1999, when another set of peace talks were held.  These days, the Green Zone is more open- it is easy for tourists to cross, and some people, including an AISC tech staffer, live on one side but work on the other.

The city of Nicosia is divided in half, but there have been a lot of talks that began with the sewer system which is shared by both sides. We live in a desert, so responsible water usage is in everyone's best interest.   The current presidents are working together towards re-uniting the island, and there are many optimistic people who think it might happen.

I got to visit the Home for Cooperation, a non-profit organization in the Green Zone.  They run programs to increase cultural understanding, like language programs (Greek, Turkish, and English), music and dance classes, and a lot of youth sports leagues which bring Turkish and Greek kids together to play on the same team.  At the H4C, there are Turkish and Greek staff working together towards the goal of peaceful understanding and reunification.  It gave me hope.

an actual olive tree, full of olive branches, decorates the entrance to H4C

it is in the middle of the Green Zone, so is surrounded by barbed wire and bomb protections on both sides