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Click here to see CFP Teen Handbook

Click here for the CFP Teen Application Form

Click Here for the CFP Joint Application Form
(note: Applicants must complete both the Teen and the Joint Applications)

Cyprus Friendship Program Photos

CFP teens during a teambuilding exercise at the University of Maryland

CFP teens during the conflict resolution training with Kathy Owen

Click here to see more CFP photos

CFP in the News

Click here to see the article in the Vienna Connection

Click here to see the article in The Granite State News

CYPRUS FRIENDSHIP PROGRAM

In 2009, HasNa Inc. launched a new, all-volunteer program in Cyprus, called the Cyprus Friendship Program (CFP). CFP is a peace program targeting Cypriot teenagers. This is a continuation of the programs HasNa has implemented in Cyprus since 2002 to advance cross-cultural understanding, such as the Young Journalists Program and the bi-communal Talk of the Island radio show.

CFP’s approach is to bring teens from both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities together and to develop friendships while working on their peace, reconciliation and leadership skills. The program’s focus is to break the cycle of fear and mistrust by building understanding and promoting interaction among people in both communities.

The Program:

Teens are selected by CFP coordinators and paired with another teenager of the same sex from the other community. Each pair of teenagers and their families will be introduced and encouraged to establish and maintain friendships in Cyprus.

Throughout the winter and spring, participants attend compulsory bi-communal program activities in Cyprus on a monthly basis. These activities focus on leadership, communication, reconciliation and peace building skills.

In the summer, as many pairs of teenagers as possible will be placed with host families in the United States for a four week residential stay in America. The aim of this 4-week residential is two-fold. First it is to further develop the friendship between the pairs of teens. This is aided and reinforced by the teenagers staying in a country where many differing cultures and religions live together in peace.

The second aim is to further advance leadership and peace building skills which had begun during the Cyprus program activities.

Upon return from the U.S., additional program activities will take place. Prior to the end of the year, a CFP Graduation will occur. After graduating, each participant is required to participate in the CFP Alumni Program and be further involved in bi-communal activities for one year. The alumni program will be peer led with CFP oversight.

The Selection Process:

Cypriot teens who are 15 – 18 years of age are eligible to apply. The first step is completion of a two-part application form in conjunction with their parents. All applications will be reviewed by a bi-communal team of volunteer Coordinators. Based on this review, a limited number of applicants will be invited for interviews. Commitment to bi-communal activity, leadership potential, and feasibility of participation will be assessed during the interview process. Subsequent to the interviews, a select number will be offered slots in the 2009 program with a potential of attending the residential in the U.S.

The Host Families:

For the 2009 inaugural year, host families will be located in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area and will be families who have previously hosted teens through a previous cross-community organization, the Children’s Friendship Project for Northern Ireland. The families will vary economically, religiously, and culturally. Host family eligibility is based upon the following three criteria:

• A political and religiously neutral home.
• A safe home with daylong adult supervision.
• A bedroom for the Cypriot teens to share.

Host families are requested to treat the teenagers as family members, not as tourists who need to be constantly entertained. Teens will take part in normal family activities within insurance guidelines. Teens will also participate in the compulsory CFP Leadership Program while in the U.S.

Cost:

CFP is an all volunteer program within HasNa, a charitable organization. American hosts pay for the costs of the teen participants during their stay in the U.S. They, some organizations, and other generous individuals will also contribute money towards the air fare for the teen participants. The host families will generally raise this money through usual charitable means. Each teenager selected to participate in the program, and ultimately the U.S. residential, is required to make a personal/family contribution.

For further information or to obtain an application form, contact Tamera Drozd, CFP Director at tamera@hasna.org or deniz@hasna.org.