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CYPRUS NGO NETWORK PUBLIC AWARENESS RAISING, DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION and CAMPAIGNING. BRNO 2008. CYPRUS NGO NETWORK. Background Information; Cyprus NGO Network was established in 2006 with the participation of 9 NGOs; Cyprus Turkish Diabetes Association, Friends of Karpaz Asso.,
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CYPRUS NGO NETWORKPUBLIC AWARENESS RAISING, DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION and CAMPAIGNING BRNO 2008
CYPRUS NGO NETWORK Background Information; Cyprus NGO Network was established in 2006 with the participation of 9 NGOs; Cyprus Turkish Diabetes Association, Friends of Karpaz Asso., The Management Centre, Green Action Group, HASDER Folk Arts Foundation, KAYAD Community Centre, Asso. Of Women to Support Living, Kemal Saraçoğlu Foundation for Children with Leukemia and Fight Against Cancer, Patient Rights Asso., Education ScientictsAsso.
CYPRUS NGO NETWORK aims; • to provide services that encourages cooperation among not-for-profit organizations that work for public interest, • to increase the effectiveness of civil society organizations in Turkish Cypriot Community through co-operation
CYPRUS NGO NETWORK aims; • To increase and strenghten the dialogue between the civil society organizations in the Turkish Cypriot Community • To strengthen the democratic participation process within NGOs • To take part in the decision making process and events of European Union institutions
EXAMPLES OF AWARENESS RAISING ACTIVITIES (Environment, Culture, Legal Issues and Health) • Awareness Raising and Lobbying Campaign to Stop Electricity to Karpasia • Public Awareness and Lobbying Campaign to Prevent Uncontrolled Development in Boğaz area. • Preparing legal proposal in order to update the existing regulations of NGOs. • Smoke free Island Campaign
1.Awareness Raising and Lobbying Campaign to Stop Electricity to Karpasia Why Karpasia is significant? Karpasia National Park area is one of the most important biological diversity region of the Mediterranean historical and archaeological site and national park area, also recently designated in line with the EU regulations as Special Protected Area. PLEASE LOOK AT THIS PHOTO CAREFULLY Because your grand children will not be able to see this view again!!!
1.Awareness Raising and Lobbying Campaign to Stop Electricity to Karpasia What was the threat? Power supply will encourage the development of the protected area and cause mass tourism and haphazard development. What happened? • ‘Extended Sustainable Environment Platform’ was established in order to raising awareness and lobbying campaign in local, regional, international and EU level.
1.Awareness Raising and Lobbying Campaign to Stop Electricity to Karpasia Lobbying campaign has included; • Dissemination of brochures, • Stickers • Village visits, • Television interviews • Full press coverage of events • Taken legal action against the government
1.Awareness Raising and Lobbying Campaign to Stop Electricity to Karpasia OUTCOME; • Regulation was prepared for Karpasia National Park in order to get approval from decision makers.
1.Awareness Raising and Lobbying Campaign to Stop Electricity to Karpasia SAD ENDING • After countless attempts of the Platform, the court ruled out the decision to stop electricity to Karpaz. Due to the decision of the court a children’s park will be demobilised to make way for the poles to be planted for electricity along with the destruction of hundreds of trees and natural surroundings... • A sad ending to the most beautiful and natural part of our island – KARPASIA LESSONS LEARNED • Civil Society’s efforts to influence policy as relatively insignificant • NGOs didn’t get the support of some land owners
2. Public Awareness and Lobbying Campaign to Prevent Uncontrolled Development in Boğaz area.. Why Bogaz is important? • Bogaz was one of the most preferable green resort in Cyprus. Many holiday villas were stated in this area. What was the threat? • Uncontrolled development of constructions destroyed the nature and local character of the area.
2. Public Awareness and Lobbying Campaign to Prevent Uncontrolled Development in Boğaz area. What was happened? • Planning authority took action to control the uncontrolled development however, policy makers didn’t take necessary action. • Cyprus NGO Network together with 11 NGOs were attended the demostrations and did protests. These actions were supported by the local residents.
2. Public Awareness and Lobbying Campaign to Prevent Uncontrolled Development in Boğaz area OUTCOME: The day after the Demostrations, the Minister of Internal Issues was announced the Boğaz Ordiances to be published and implemented, accordingly which was kept on the dusty shelves for many months.
3.Preparing proposal in order to update the existing regulations of NGOs. Why is important? • It played a significant role for NGOs in Cyprus because the existing regulation doesn’t satisfy the needs of NGOs.
3.Preparing proposal in order to update the existing regulations of NGOs. What was the threat? Existing law was not gave an opportunity to establish an offical registered Network. What was happened? Cyprus NGO Network has started to do lobbying activities and campaigning. Also were prepared proposal for updating the existing regulations.
3.Preparing proposal in order to update the existing regulations of NGOs. SUCCESSFUL RESULTS; By the initiatives of Cyprus NGO Network the updating process has been started and its still in progress.
4. Smoke free Island Campaign Why is important? Cyprus in one of the leading country in tobacco consuming. The campaign was targeting directly the smoke free regulation’s implementation. What was the threat? Although North Cyprus has smoke free regulations since 1996, in practice the responsible authorities didn’t do anything in terms of implementation of the regulations.
4. Smoke free Island Campaign What was happened? By the initiative of Medical Association,Smoke free island platform was establish and Cyprus NGO Network supported and played an active role in this initiative. On 31st of May, which is the World Quit Smoking Day supporters of this initiative did so many interviews wirh related authorities and had an great impact via media and raise awareness.
5. Smoke free Island Campaign • SUCCESSFUL RESULTS; The infrastructure was prepared in order to apply the regulation.
Cyprus NGO Network is still working on; • A new legal statue for NGO’s to Increase the effectiveness and cooperation of Civil Society • The issues such as culture , health, natural resource and environment as a pressure group . • Improve the dialogue between NGOs in local, regional and EU level.