Young peacemakers from across the divide inspire hope with commitment to peacebuilding across the island and around the world   

UNFICYP often engages youth in various programs to promote peace and development. By giving young people the opportunity to act as peacekeepers, the UN not only amplifies their voices but also empowers them to contribute to global peace efforts. It’s inspiring to see the next generation taking an active role in shaping a better future on the island of Cyprus.

Through organizing the “Future Peacemakers” event, UNFICYP Civil Affairs Section brought together 44 young Cypriots from across the divide who became the peacemakers for a whole day at the UN Headquarters in Cyprus.

During the day, young Cypriots from the United World Collages, the Cyprus Friendship Programme and Intercommunal Youth Diplomacy Conference had the chance to engage with each other as well as with the UN, exploring the vital role of peacebuilding on the island.

The participants visited the Committee on Missing Persons, the historic old Nicosia airport, the Good Offices mission and UNFICYP. The experience gave them a unique perspective on the work of the UN in Cyprus and the peace process in general.

In a powerful discussion session with the Head of Mission, Colin Stewart, Good Offices and UNFICYP officers, the youth shared their thoughts on the future of Cyprus and the peace process. Their creativity and vision were truly inspiring. They emphasized the need for a more neutral history education, reducing hate speech and negative narratives, introducing official languages for greater inclusivity, and making the political processes more transparent, inclusive, and simpler to ensure everyone can understand and participate in it.

Speaking about the experience, 19-year-old Lian Liu Ioannides from the United World Collages says that “the Future Peacemakers event felt like a sincere effort by UNFICYP, not only to give youth the opportunity to understand the role of the UN in Cyprus, but also to give the UN in Cyprus the opportunity to understand the common concerns and aspirations of Cypriot youth and work together with youth to amplify our voices for peace”.

“This is just the beginning, and not the end, of the participating youth’s involvement in the work of UN Cyprus”, Lian highlights.

On his part, 19-year-old Ada Olgun, from the Cyprus Friendship Programme, notes that “it’s truly inspiring to witness young people taking an active role in peacebuilding. Their passion and willingness to engage in dialogue brings hope for a more harmonious future. The dedication of the UN in creating platforms where the next generation can unite, share ideas, and work toward a common goal cannot be underestimated” and Ada hopes for “many more gatherings that foster connection, empathy, and lasting peace!”

18-year-old Marfa Myastsova, from Intercommunal Youth Diplomacy Conference, explains that “the Future Peacemakers event was productive and inspiring. Youth is always underrepresented, and this event gave a space where youth was listened to, and our thoughts considered. The group of motivated young activists was inspiring and a reminder that the fight for a solution to the Cyprus problem is intergenerational”, and Marfa thanks the “UN in Cyprus for giving us this opportunity and hope to see more of such”.

The UN in Cyprus strongly believes that voices of young people are crucial in shaping the path toward lasting peace in Cyprus.