NICOSIA, 28-May-2021 — /EPR EDUCATION NEWS/ — The Cyprus Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation, a forum promoting intercultural dialogue both within the island and in the region by creating synergies and building bridges among citizens, is excited to announce the official launch of the Anna Lindh Foundation Virtual Marathon for Dialogue. The Virtual Marathon for Dialogue is taking place from the 19th of May until the 29th of June, in the framework of the Celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Barcelona Process and the “Renewed Partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood: a new agenda for the Mediterranean”. The Virtual Marathon will gather activities of ALF civil society network and partner organisations to take place during these 42 days!

The Anna Lindh Foundation Cyprus Network and its members will contribute to the programme with multiple events and activities addressing intercultural dialogue, open to participation from Cyprus, the Euro-Med region and internationally.

The NGO Support Centre and Rooftop Theatre, heads of the Cyprus Network, will host two events in the frame of the Virtual Marathon for Dialogue.

The first event called “Interculturalism in the city: How can we empower diverse urban communities?” is an online open exchange and discussion on the topic of intercultural dialogue in Mediterranean urban spaces, to take place on the 2nd of June. This event aims to inform participants about outcomes of the Anna Lindh Intercultural Trends Report (2018) relating to the urban environment and engage them in an exchange of good practices and a discussion on the importance of interculturalism and of empowering diverse communities for the sustainability of cities in the EuroMed.

The second event called “’Different Faces’: Theatre disciplines for social change” will take place on the 12th of June, with two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions. “Different Faces” is a series of workshops that explore ways to promote empathy, dialogue and understanding through different disciplines of performing arts to enhance intercultural dialogue.

Further National Network activities will include workshops on the topics of “Discord for Intercultural Dialogue”, organised by Plan Be Plan It Be It on the 1st of June, which aims to address the benefits of new online communication tools for intercultural dialogue and a workshop series on “Setting up and Managing an Organisation”, organised by the Cyprus Refugee Council and Civil Society Advocates on the 2nd, 9th and 16th of June, which aims to support initiatives of refugee-led community organisations, informal groups and NGOs working with refugees.

The Cyprus Network member Visual Voices will partner with Anadolu Kültür to host a Cross-Network conversation series called “Overlapping Circles” on the 10th and 24th of June, which will bring together circles of artists and civil society representatives from Cyprus and Turkey to focus on how the arts and past narratives can facilitate constructive dialogue.

The ALF Virtual Marathon for Dialogue is open to participation for citizens across the island and the EuroMed region to come together virtually and enhance intercultural dialogue!

SOURCE: EuropaWire