Cyprus
Alternative Dispute Resolution was originally introduced in Cyprus by scholars from the U.S. in the form of conflict resolution workshops and subsequently as mediation, in relation to the political dispute between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. This dispute led to the division of the island in 1974.
Since then, negotiations and efforts at reconciliation between the two communities have been held under the auspices of the United Nations. The communities, however, have failed to reach agreement on the desired outcome of a bi-zonal bi-communal federation, as described in successive UN Security Council Resolutions.
The philosophy of ADR is thus not only important for the speedier resolution of civil disputes in Cyprus, but also necessary for the transformation of the current political and social culture of conflict, into a more collaborative society.
SENIOR FELLOWS – CYPRUS
Eleni Charalambidou is a full-time ADR professional, working as a mediator, negotiations advisor, and trainer in Cyprus, Greece and internationally. She is the founder of Enconsensus Solutions, providing dispute resolution services and training based in Cyprus
Katherine Clerides is a lawyer and Honorary President of the Board of the Glafcos Clerides Institute, an independent political think-tank, which offers workshops in leadership and mediation training free of charge, primarily to young people and women.
