Photo of Portland CFP Participants provided by Ed Murphy
Tammi Haas is the local coordinator for the Cyprus Friendship Program, a non-profit organization that promotes peace and dialog between Turkish-speaking and Greek-speaking Cypriots. Since 1974, the physical border between the two countries has been patrolled by UN peace-keeping forces; it was closed from 1974 to 2004. The northern side of the island is Turkish and the southern part is Greek.
The CFP works to break the cycle of fear and distrust by encouraging youth from each side of the border to pursue lasting friendships. According to the CFP, “The teens engage in a one year process that seeks to bridge the division of their country, to promote cross-cultural understanding, and to develop leaders who will foster lasting peace in Cyprus.”
Each year, about 60 young Cypriots ages 15 – 17 are paired up for a year-long program. They form relationships across the border; meeting the others’ families and friends, learning about each other, and engaging in trust and team-building activities. In June of each year, the program culminates in three-week leadership programs held in Portland, Oregon, Virginia, New Hampshire, and Maryland. While in the US, the pairs spend three weeks together engaged in team building exercises and learning presentation skills. The program is volunteer driven and relies on host families who house the participants during their stay.
This year, 160 Cypriots applied and 62 were chosen to participate in the program.