Bi-communal summer camp uses science as a means to peace

The role of science in peace-building was highlighted in a bi-communal STEAM camp, which was organized this summer and was funded by the US Embassy in Cyprus. The STEAM for Peace and Entrepreneurship Camp Attendance Certificate Ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Home for Cooperation in Nicosia.

The event started with opening remarks by the camp organizers, Dr. Myrtani Pieri, Dr. Simge Davoglu and Menelaos Menelaou, who spoke of an ‘unforgettable time’ in the camp with ‘100 amazing students from all over Cyprus’. The three organizers expressed their satisfaction with the response of the Cypriot youth and their families towards the STEAM activities adding that they have been able to look at peace-building from a different perspective by utilizing the universal language of science.

They also thanked participating associations and universities for their support and expressed their gratitude to the Alumni Exchange Innovation Fund and the US Embassy in Cyprus for funding the STEAM for Peace and Entrepreneurship project. They concluded by expressing their hope to be able to develop projects that provide more science activities for young students in Cyprus in the future.

Judith Garber, US Ambassador to Cyprus, expressed her excitement at the STEAM camp, which "seems to be a wonderful experience." She also said that science is a universal language, brings people together and promotes understanding, adding that the essence of the scientific method is taking risks. "By facing challenges together, we hope to form bonds that will last a lifetime. We hope to be part of what helps to reunify this beautiful island," she added.

"Each of the organizers is a testament to what can happen when you bring bright young people together to take part in exchange programs, to exchange fresh ideas and send them back to their countries looking to make where they live a better place for all of us," Garber pointed out.

During the event a video from the activities of the camp was shown, followed by the certificate ceremony.

STEAM for Peace and Entrepreneurship Camp is designed for middle school/gymnasium students of age 10-13 years old to have fun during the summer holidays while doing hands-on experiments in STEAM subjects together in a group of bi-communal students from all over Cyprus. The camp is designed to build friendships, collaboration and peace-building.