A Systemic Evaluation of the State of Affairs Following the Negative Outcome of the Referendum in Cyprus Using the Structured Dialogic Design Process

Abstract

This paper reports the results of the first of a series of co-laboratories organized by Cypriot peace pioneers 30 months after the negative outcome of the referendum concerning UN General Secretary's plan for reunification of the island. The purpose of this colaboratory was to support a diverse group of disengaged and disappointed peace pioneers and activists representing Turkish and Greek communities of Cyprus develop a shared understanding of factors contributing to the perceived widening of the gap between the two divided communities in Cyprus. The co-laboratory was organized using the structured dialogic design process (SDDP) approach within the context of a rich web-based communication environment. The root causes contributing to the widening of the gap are discussed and are also compared with those identified during a similar co-laboratory employing the Interactive Management methodology 12 years earlier.

Exploring Options for Enhancement of Social Dialogue Between the Turkish and Greek Communities in Cyprus Using the Structured Dialogic Design Process

“…The participants were first acquainted and had the opportunity to reflect and discuss the results of the previous co-laboratory, which focused on defining the factors that contribute to the perceived widening of the gap between the two communities (published in Laouris et al 2009). Most of them did not participate in the previous co-laboratory.…”

“…Third, the Civil Society Dialogue project (the results of which are partly reported here and in Laouris et al 2009; see also Civil Society Dialogue in references) has been successfully completed in June 2008. The results of all activities taking place during the lifetime of the project were continuously publicized through mailing lists and through quarterly reports to UNDP.…”

“…It was within this agitated negative climate that a group of peace pioneers launched an initiative to re-activate civil society dialog in the summer of 2006 (reported in Laouris et al 2009; see also Civil Society Dialogue Project in references). They anticipated they could contribute to the revival of the peace process and peoples' hope for resolution of the Cyprus problem.…”

“…The active engagement of the stakeholders is also a key concept of the science of the structured dialogic design process. It is scientifically grounded through the law of requisite action (for discussion refer to Laouris et al , 2009, which states that Footnote 1 continued (Broome 1998) that served as their work's roadmap for the next couple of years. In the summer of 1995, the CRTG opened up to the community and invited more people to join.…”

“…By the end of 1997, more than 2000 individuals were introduced to structured dialogue and had the opportunity to meet and discuss with members of the other community. For the historical map of all bicommunal groups created through their activities between 1993 and 1999 refer to or Laouris et al (2009). 2 The word ''current'' refers to the specified period.…”