There is a simple, universal act that transcends language and politics: sharing a meal. Around a table, conversations flow, stories are exchanged, and common ground is discovered. It is this powerful, unifying idea that inspired Dilara Olgacher and Erato Koromia, along with their fellow group of UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace, to take the lead and “cook connections” with their peers.
Through the UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace programme, they are proving that investing in youth and in our planet are fundamental pillars for building a lasting peace, one shared table at a time.
For Dilara, the motivation was deeply personal: “Driven by a long-held vision of a united Cyprus,” she saw the programme as a unique opportunity to work across communities on universal issues. “The environment, food, and sustainability felt like powerful entry points to build trust, nurture understanding, and create meaningful connections beyond the divide.”
This vision came to life in the “Table of Unity” initiative. By bringing people together around the richness of traditional Cypriot cuisine, they used food as a catalyst for conversation and connection. “Inspired by the belief that food is a powerful part of our common identity,” Dilara explains, the project created spaces to celebrate shared recipes while promoting sustainable, locally sourced practices.
The overall objective of the project is to promote peace and unity by bringing people together across divides through cooking, while also fostering environmental awareness by encouraging sustainable and healthier eating practices.
It was within these shared meals that profound discoveries emerged. Erato recalls a moment that changed her perspective while choosing recipes. The team settled on kollyva/golifa, a humble dish with contrasting symbolism between communities.
“Greek Cypriots have come to know it as a staple offered at funerals... whereas for Turkish Cypriots, it is prepared to celebrate the New Year and is widely regarded as a symbol of hope and good fortune,” she shares. This revelation was powerful: “It was at that moment that I realised that although customs may differ, it is precisely this cultural wealth that enriches our island.”
This journey of discovery was possible because of a team dynamic built on “mutual respect, open dialogue, and shared responsibility.” Dilara highlights that focusing on a shared environmental goal was key. “It shifted the conversation from 'us and them' to 'we,' making collaboration feel natural, meaningful, and purpose driven.”
The environment, as a shared concern, provided the perfect common ground. “Issues such as climate change, water scarcity, and sustainable food systems affect everyone on the island equally,” she notes, allowing cooperation to flourish based on shared needs and a common future.
For these young Cypriots, being a UN Youth Champion has been transformative. Erato describes it as “meeting like-minded young people from all over Cyprus, challenging notions that dominate our society, and working together towards a sustainable future.” She emphasises the broader impact: “Five other teams brought unique projects to life across the island, collectively creating a canvas of youth, creativity, collaboration, and sustainability.”
Their collective experience fuels a powerful hope. “In an era where misinformation is on the rise, and political tensions continue to escalate, being a Youth Champion stand as a testament to the optimistic, sustainable, and above all peaceful future that lies in the hands of younger generations,” Erato states with conviction.
Dilara’s initial vision resonates stronger than ever, seeing how "shared values, creativity, and friendship can grow naturally when people are given the space to listen, learn from one another, and work toward a common goal.”
The #InvestinPeace campaign underscores that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a positive, dynamic process built on trust and joint action. In addition, the Youth, Peace and Security agenda recognizes youth not as beneficiaries, but as essential partners and leaders in this work.
For UNFICYP, the UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace programme embodies both these principles, demonstrating that when young people are empowered to lead on issues that transcend divides, like environmental sustainability, they lay the indispensable groundwork for unity.
Their journey is a compelling reminder: by investing in youth and in our planet, we are investing in the most foundational elements of peace. The UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace initiative is organized by UNFICYP with the support of the British Council in Cyprus.
