Cyprus Forum brings together a cross-section of top panellists

The inaugural conference included strong representation by the University of Nicosia, in support of the Forum’s mission to effect sustainable and socially responsible policy reform

The Cyprus Forum, a new, independent, and not-for-profit annual conference was launched this past Saturday, 3 October 2020, coinciding with the 60^th Anniversary of Cyprus’ independence.

The Forum seeks to become a lever and catalyst for change through discussions and debate leading to commitments, actions and, ultimately, outcomes that will improve and promote sustainable and socially responsible policy in Cyprus and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region. In service of this objective, the Forum will focus on topical policy areas each year, all of which are linked to society as a whole, while also reflecting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The 2020 edition of the Forum brought together local and foreign political leaders, prominent figures from the public and the private sector, as well as representatives from academia, the media, and civic society, with the aim of initiating dialogue, exchanging ideas, and finding new and creative solutions to key areas of public policy.

Among the speakers this year were the EU Health Commissioner, Stella Kyriakides, and the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Christodoulides. UNIC was also well represented in the Forum’s inaugural proceedings through:

• Antonis Polemitis, Chief Executive Officer, University of Nicosia, who was a speaker on the panel on “Higher Education as a Booster of Shared Prosperity”.
• Professor Stavros Malas, Foundation Chair for Veterinary School, University of Nicosia Medical School, who was a speaker on the panel on “Healthcare and the Future of Public Hospitals”.
• Anna Koukkides-Procopiou, Senior Fellow, Cyprus Center of European and International Affairs, who Chaired the panel on “Foreign Policy as a Game Changer in the Eastern Mediterranean: The Role of Cyprus”.

President Nicos Anastasiades addressed the Forum through his deputy spokesman, Panayiotis Sentonas, pronouncing the event a worthwhile initiative and highlighting its special symbolism, in coinciding with the 60^th Anniversary of the Republic.

“[The Forum] aims at constructive dialogue, the reflection and the exchange of views on topical and essential issues, which concern every critical and active citizen and the wider society,” the President’s address said. “The whole event aims to bridge the gap between political leaders and ordinary citizens who are inevitably the recipients of political decision-making centres, but above all to create a channel of communication between them, away from divisive rhetoric, outdated perceptions and conflicts,” he underlined.

The head of the organising committee, Dr Nikolas Kyriakides, echoed this sentiment while outlining the Forum’s mission in his introductory remarks, which is none other than to create an institution that will bring together politicians, businessmen, academics, active citizens and the media, from all ideological areas; in a celebration of ideas and in service of building a better common future. “We want to unite all the reformist voices, so that they can be heard and, at the same time, help the officials in their difficult task,” he concluded.