Cyprus

The country of Cyprus has a thriving economy thanks to its two largest sectors of commerce: tourism and financial services. It ranks 29th on the human development index which focuses on three measurable dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy life, being educated and having a decent standard of living. Thus, Cyprus is more advanced than most countries because of its high life expectancy, school enrollment, literacy and income.

In Cyprus, about 0.06 percent of the population is under the age of five with virtually none of the population living below the absolute poverty level. Equally positive is the life expectancy average age of 77, the highest in the Mediterranean region (with the same life expectancy reported for Israel and Malta). The under-five mortality rate of 11 percent, as an indicator of the crucial components that indicate early childhood development, places Cyprus in an enviable position in contrast to other countries of the Mediterranean region—Israel was rated the only country with a better rate at 9 percent, while Turkey's rate was 50 percent and Morocco's, 75 percent (van Oudenhoven & Wazir 1997). Cyprus ranks comparatively healthy in the consideration of malnourished children as well, with 8 percent.

Since 1974, the southern part of Cyprus has been under the control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, while the northern part has been ruled by a Turkish Cypriot administration, which proclaimed itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC") and has not been recognized by any country except for Turkey. A substantial number of Turkish troops remained on the island. A buffer zone or "green line" patrolled by the U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) separated the two parts.

On May 1, 2004, the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union (EU). EU laws and regulations were not enforced in the territory under the control of the "TRNC."

The most tragic result of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus is the 1,619 Cypriots still missing since 1974. This number includes not only conscripts and reservists but also a large number of civilians, among them women and children. Most of these missing Cypriots were arrested by the Turkish military forces. The rest were cut off in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus. Some of them were transferred to prisons in Turkey. Several missing Cypriots were reported by international organizations (e.g. the International Red Cross) and the media to be alive in Turkish prisons in 1974 but they were never returned to their homes.

The Republic of Cyprus is a constitutional republic and multiparty presidential democracy. In February 2003, the country elected Tassos Papadopoulos president. Another aspect of its government is the clear separation of the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The judiciary is generally independent and well-respected.

Police are responsible for law enforcement and are under the authority of the Ministry of Justice. The civilian authorities maintain effective control of the security forces. Although, some members of the police have committed human rights abuses.

The Government generally respects the human rights of its citizens; however, problems persist in some areas including police abuse of detainees, violence against women, and trafficking in women for sexual exploitation.

AIDS has constituted a basic priority for the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, since the first AIDS case was diagnosed in the island in 1986. The National AIDS Program has been implemented through a series of strategic plans, according to the needs for the confinement of the epidemic and the reduction of its personal and social consequences. Despite its low prevalence, HIV-infection constitutes the main concern among infectious diseases in Cyprus, because of its major impact on human welfare and its potential for rapid changes in its epidemiological characteristics.

There is no malaria present in Cyprus, and generally, insect-borne diseases are not a problem in the country.

The few food- and water-borne diseases include hepatitis A and typhoid fever which are occasionally transmitted by unsanitary food handling procedures and contaminated water. Additionally, avian influenza has been confirmed in birds only. While vaccines are available for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza and typhoid, the current influenza vaccine is not protective against avian influenza. Oseltamivir is effective.

The most significant environmental problems in Cyprus are water pollution, erosion, and wildlife preservation. The purity of the water supply is threatened by industrial pollutants, pesticides used in agricultural areas, and the lack of adequate sewage treatment. Other water resource problems include uneven rainfall levels at different times of the year and the absence of natural reservoir catchments. Cyprus has 0.2 cubic miles of water, of which 91% is used for farming activity. One hundred percent of Cyprus' urban and rural dwellers have access to safe water.

Another environmental concern is erosion, especially erosion of Cyprus's coastline. In accordance with the Foreshore Protection Law, several coastal areas have been zoned to prevent undesirable development. The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has primary responsibility for environmental matters.

The expansion of urban centers threatens the habitat of Cyprus' wildlife. As of 1994, one mammal species, 17 types of birds and 43 plant species in a total of 2,000 are threatened with extinction. About 20 species of flora are protected.

In addition, the Cyprus International Institute(CII) is currently focusing itself on three other key environmental issues in the country: air quality, waste, and industrial pollution. The main air quality issues which the Republic of Cyprus must address include the implementation of EU air quality and emission standards, control of mobile and stationary air pollution sources and assessment of air pollution-related health effects.

Another threat for Cyprus is the hazardous waste that results from mining and other industrial operations. The CII also creates wastes management policy regarding solid waste including both human and animal waste.

Lastly, the country concentrates on industrial pollution control and risk management.
Cyprus has no integrated management and control system in place concerning chemical substances, industrial wastewater and volatile organic compound emissions.

Cyprus’ literacy rates are high, with 97.7% of the adult population able to use their literacy skills for every day life and for generating income. Additionally, recent polls conclude that 99.6% of Cyprus’ youth (15-24 years of age according to the UNESCO Institute of Statistics) is literate.

Cyprus is a signatory to the Convention of the Rights of the Child and the action plan developed at the Summit for Children organized by UNICEF in 1991. In a paper prepared for the 1997 Health and Social Welfare Conference, van Oudenhoven and Wazir (of International Child Development Initiatives, the Netherlands) provided an extensive overview of the Mediterranean experience regarding early childhood development and social integration, including the issue of social inclusion/exclusion in early childhood education. They describe critical factors to consider in early childhood preprimary education—most significantly, the inherent, inalienable right of every child to receive care and education with attention to physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.

School enrollment and dropout rates can be considered as indicators of the psycho-social development of children. In Cyprus, school enrollment for all boys and girls stands at 99 percent, with virtually no dropout rate. That these rates are equal for boys and girls accounts for Cyprus having the highest female literacy rate in the region (91 percent), compared to only 31 percent in Morocco, 49 percent in Algeria, and 72 percent in Turkey.

Arab Resource Collective - ARC is a regional non-profit independent organization founded in 1988 by thirteen persons working in several countries and in various professional fields of development, who convened in a workshop in Cyprus to agree to pioneer and integrate a program of resource production, establish a board of trustees, delegate a team of coordinators to manage the organization. ARC’s mission is to build on the capacities of each person and on people’s experience in order to develop knowledge and translate rights into reality. It adopts a holistic and integrated approach to development, and practices collective work through consultation, networking and partnerships.

CCS - Cyprus Computer Society (CCS) - A professional non-profit organization which has the goal to: promote computer science and information technology within the Cyprus society; inform and educate the public on IT issues; offer services in the areas of research, development, education related to computer science; cooperate with the government and IT industries for effective introduction of IT in economic and social activities.

Centre for World Dialogue - The Centre for World Dialogue is founded on the belief that conflicts can be prevented more effectively through engagement and dialogue than through sanctions, containment, or the threat of force. The Centre initiates dialogue on political, social, economic, and religious issues of global and regional concern. The Centre organizes international conferences, publishes the quarterly journal Global Dialogue, and provides an extensive library and research facilities at its headquarters in Nicosia, Cyprus.

CYCIC - Cyprus Youth Council For International Co-operation (CYCIC) – It conceives and implements projects, within the framework of the will, to further cooperation between the Cypriot and the Youth of the rest of Europe and the World. It acts as the representative coordinating organ of the Youth organizations of Cypriot Youth at the European and other International forum. CYCIC’s principal aims are to encourage co-operation among young people in Cyprus and other Countries, to promote communication among other youth organizations on European level, to provide a representative framework for its member organizations to develop initiatives and implement projects to further co-operation with other European youth, to assist young people in Cyprus in the development of a European consciousness based on mutual respect and understanding, and to enforce the efforts to achieve respect of Human rights and secure the basic freedoms and rights all over Cyprus.

Cyprus Association for the Protection of Human Rights – This organization exists in order to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Republic of Cyprus as well as contribute towards international prevalence of human rights principles. Its areas of focus include teaching human rights ideals to the country’s youth, supporting equal rights and freedoms for women, safeguarding the rights of foreign workers, reforming the country’s legislation regarding the right for ones sexual orientation, and examining complaints about violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Home-Start - Home-Start is the UK's leading family support charity. Home-Start volunteers offer friendship and practical help to families with at least one child under five who are, for a number of reasons, experiencing difficulties. Through the support they give to nearly 300 communities in the UK and British Forces Germany and Cyprus, Home-Start volunteers help prevent family crises and breakdown.

Soma Akriton Youth Organization - a non-governmental, non-political organization with about 200 members involved in nature exploring, protection of the environment, civil defense, improvement of the quality of life and general knowledge. The members, organized in four local groups, meet on a weekly basis. Additionally, the group has been very active in the effort to bring Greeks and Turks in Cyprus together, working for a peaceful future. For this task, they are in cooperation with Turkish Cypriot youth organizations.

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - Responsible for protecting over 17 million people worldwide, including refugees, internally displaced people and former refugees who are returning to their homes. As the largest international humanitarian organization, UNHCR and its 400+ partners provide food, water, shelter, medical and other types of assistance to refugees worldwide. UNHCR operates in 116 countries. When governments are unable or unwilling to protect their own citizens, UNHCR helps refugees find safety and the means to begin a normal life again.

UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - Mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

World Health Organization – a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Its major task is to combat disease, especially key infectious diseases, and to promote the general health of the peoples of the world. As well as coordinating international efforts to monitor outbreaks of infectious disease such as SARS, malaria, and AIDS, it also has programs to combat such diseases, by developing and distributing vaccines.

Youth for Exchange and Understanding of Cyprus – tries to bring the young people of Europe and the Mediterranean-along with their ideas and culture- together to defy prejudice racism and exclusion of any form. The organization accomplishes this mission by organizing seminars in which young people have a forum to discuss and seek ways to create a better world.

Cyprus Samaritans – A registered charity, run entirely by volunteers, and funded by donations, sponsorship and profits form our shop. The group is affiliated with the International Samaritan Movement, operating to the standards, guidelines and principals of that organization. They offer a confidential 'listening' telephone helpline 7 days a week 365 days a year. Volunteers can apply to the program on the basis that they are interested in people, able to listen, are non-judgmental, and are prepared to make a commitment to those in emotional need.

Greenpeace Cyprus - Cypriot office of the non-profit international environmental organization. Greenpeace Cyprus offers environmental volunteer positions and opportunities.

Marine Turtle Conservation Project - Volunteers working on the project are actively involved in both research and conservation activities of protecting marine turtles and their habitat in the Cyprus area. The project runs from mid May till October. In addition, a large effort goes into education and increasing public awareness. At the main base they have an information centre which is open to the public. Here they give out information, and arrange small groups to accompany them to the beach at night to witness nesting and post-hatching excavation.

Pan Cyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council - The Pan Cyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council works to support and facilitate further development of the voluntary social sector in Cyprus and to promote the ideals, values and notions of volunteerism at all levels.

Seeds of Peace - Founded in 1993, Seeds of Peace is dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence. Over the last decade, it has intensified its impact, dramatically increasing the number of participants, represented nations and programs. From 46 Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian teenagers in 1993, the organization still focuses on the Middle East but has expanded its programming to include young leaders from South Asia, Cyprus and the Balkans. Its leadership network now encompasses over 2,500 young people from four conflict regions. It hosts international youth conferences, regional workshops, educational and professional opportunities, and an adult educator program. This comprehensive system allows participants to develop empathy, respect, and confidence as well as leadership, communication and negotiation skills -- all critical components that will facilitate peaceful coexistence for the next generation.

Volunteers for Peace - VFP offers over 3400 affordable, short-term voluntary service projects in 100+ countries. These international voluntary service projects are an opportunity to participate in meaningful community service while living and interacting in an intercultural environment. Work projects include: construction/renovation of low-income housing or community buildings, historic preservation, archeology; environmental projects such as trail building, environmental education, wildlife surveying, park maintenance, organic farming; social services working with children, the elderly, physically or mentally handicapped, refugees, minority groups, drug/alcohol recovery, AIDS education; as well as arts projects and festivals.

World Partners USA - Opportunities for those interested in becoming school teachers in Turkey and Cyprus. One would spend a year or two abroad teaching in an English speaking school setting, The organization has many missionary children's schools looking for teachers qualified to teach from K-12.

Young Volunteers, Cyprus - The Young Volunteers is a group of children between the ages of 4 and 16 years of age in Cyprus. Its main objective is to encourage volunteerism with the involvement of the whole family and through this, to offer community service.

Youthcamp - The NGO Youthcamp - Voluntary Action for Youth is an independent, voluntary youth organization that aims to play a major role in the area of voluntarism and Civil Society in Greece and Cyprus. Its focus includes the protection, conservation and development of natural and social environment, the promotion of voluntarism as an alternative way of democratic participation in all areas of social activity and the development of cultural relations among youth with different national backgrounds. Currently, the organization organizes and administrates short term voluntary projects in Greece and Cyprus, takes part in NGO networks of humanitarian, environmental and social orientation, develops action for the promotion of voluntarism’s movement and implements projects-actions in cooperation with the public sector, European Union and International Organizations