Within the framework of TEDx, Eastern Mediterranean University hosted a conference entitled “Motiva Crea Innova 8” at Mustafa Afşin Ersoy at 5:00 p.m. on 14 November 2014. Main speakers of the event were EMU Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sözen and Girne American University Business and Economics Faculty academic staff member Assist. Prof. Dr. Lawrence Emeagwali. Other speakers at the TEDx even were EMU Architecture Department PhD student and research assistant Ugo Elinwa, EMU postgraduate student Eiad Alhamed and Polina Turuntaeva from Girne American University.
In his talk entitled “How to Establish Positive Peace in Cyprus”, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Sözen started with the Cyprus conflict which has remained unresolved for more than half a century and talked about the methods that would bring positive peace to Cyprus. Prof. Dr. Sözen put forth that peace is possible in Cyprus and the method of reaching peace should start from the community.
Prof. Dr. Sözen also talked about the importance of being innovative, creating new ideas to contribute to peace and motivating people on these ideas. Prof. Dr. Sözen stated his belief in blending idealism and pragmatism in contributing to the positive peace in Cyprus.
According to Prof. Dr. Sözen, a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation is the second preference of both communities and is the only compromised solution model that has the chance to pass from a simultaneous, separate referenda - which is a procedure agreed upon by both sides in case the two leaders reach an agreement on a settlement.
Prof. Dr. Sözen added that we need to envisage the search for bringing positive peace to Cyprus more broadly. So, our focus should be a broad one that will include the Cyprus peace process, rather than just the narrowly defined peace negotiations between a handful of persons. According to him, the peace process in Cyprus should be more inclusive.
According to Prof. Dr. Sözen, the implementation of a series of substantive CBMs – confidence building measures – between the two communities in Cyprus would be extremely beneficial in bridging the big gap of trust between the two communities in Cyprus. Prof. Dr. Sözen put forth that positive change should be brought to the lives of the common people so that they can see that cooperation between the two communities is possible.
Prof. Dr. Sözen also provided an array of recommendations for confidence building measures the first of which was establishing a joint commission of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot teachers who will go through the history text books and erase all traces of hatred and racism from the textbooks. The second recommendation was the opening of the fenced area of Varosha under UN administration. The third was opening Ercan airport or the original Nicosia International Airport for direct flight where TCs as well as GCs will be able to fly directly to Turkish cities as well as other European and world destinations. Prof. Dr. Sözen also suggested the establishment of a joint commission with collective decision making mechanism where we can talk about how we’ll make the best use of our natural resources. Among further recommendations of Prof. Dr. Sözen were building a giant solar power plant in Cyprus where the energy produced can be used by both communities and building a joint university in the buffer zone.
After Prof. Dr. Sözen, Girne American University Business and Economics Faculty academic staff member Assist. Prof. Dr. Lawrence Emeagwali talked about “Sustainable Peace: Is It Really Possible?” Assist. Prof. Dr. Emeagwali stated the importance of avoiding conflicts and perceiving individuals as humans without classifying them. At the end of his speech, Assist. Prof. Dr. Emeagwali amazed the audience with his concluding message “We are One and Noone is Better than Anyone” .
Girne American University student Polina Turuntaeva talked about the place of females in media, how media affects the society by using the gender structure and how females are unaware of the negative effects on their personal development. EMU Architecture Department PhD student Ugo Elinwa gave information about his voluntary involvement in various projects, concerts and courses organised for deprived children in Maraş region. Giving examples on how to integrate them into the community, Elinwa stated that everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to get up and continue and avoid making the same mistakes. Finally, EMU postgraduate student Eiad Alhamed provided information about personal leadership, awareness, performance and attitudes and stated that “You are the controlling point of your life, you can manage your life and create your own chances”.
What is TED and TEDx?
TED is an annual event where some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers are invited to share what they are most passionate about. “TED” stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design — three broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future.
TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community. The TEDx Program is designed to help communities, organizations and individuals to spark conversation and connection through local TED-like experiences. Officially, the ‘x’ in TEDx stands for independently organized TED event
