January events as part of the "Face Forward …into my home" programme by Nicosia 2030

The 'Face Forward …into my home' photography exhibition, hosted in the foyer of the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, has been extended until Friday, 31 January, 2025.

Presented by Nicosia 2030 in collaboration with the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (EMST), generously supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Cyprus, the exhibition is part of the Parallel Programme of the 5th International Nicosia Festival. It features photographic portraits by Yiannis Kourtoglou alongside powerful stories of refugees and migrants who have been forced to flee their homelands and are rebuilding their lives in Cyprus.

As part of this initiative, Nicosia 2030, a candidate for the European Capital of Culture, is organising a series of activities, including seminars and lectures. Below are the events scheduled for January:

Seminar: “On Empowerment and Integration: Your Journey, Your Strength”

Presenter: Irene Che, Specialist Consultant and Project Manager at the non-profit organization SYNTHESIS Center for Research and Education

Date & Time: Thursday, January 23, 2025 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM), Foyer of Nicosia Municipal Theatre

Irene Che is a participant in the “Face Forward …into my home” program and collaborates with Nicosia 2030 as a cultural ambassador. The seminar aims to empower attendees to discover their inner strength, build meaningful relationships, and achieve their goals in a supportive environment. Drawing on her personal journey as a migrant and her extensive experience, Irene will share practical advice and tools for integration, confidence-building, and self-care.

Bio:

Irene Che originally from Cameroon, is the President of the Cyprus Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (CSTAC). Actively engaged in European education and awareness programmes, she has delivered talks at prestigious events like the Cyprus Forum and the “Youth in Migration” conference organised by the European University Cyprus. Her personal experiences as a refugee inspires her unwavering dedication to migrant women, vulnerable groups, and survivors of human trafficking through leadership workshops and training.

Details:

Languages: The seminar will be conducted in English, with interpretation available in Somali and French.

Age Group: 18+

Admission: Free

Lecture: “Human Trafficking in Cyprus: The crime, the victims, and the perpetrators”

Presenter: Dr. Nasia Hadjigeorgiou, Associate Professor of Transitional Justice and Human Rights, UCLan Cyprus

Date & Time: Thursday, January 30, 2025 (6:00 PM)

Venue: Foyer of Nicosia Municipal Theatre

This lecture delves into the matter of human trafficking, a crime prevalent across the globe. In Cyprus, the issue is exacerbated by the unresolved Cyprus Problem. Dr. Hadjigeorgiou will outline the forms of human trafficking present on the island, as well as its victims, and perpetrators. She will also share data revealing that trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation is widespread in both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Bio:

Dr. Nasia Hadjigeorgiou holds an LLB from University College London, an LLM from the University of Cambridge, and a PhD from King’s College London. In 2021-2022, she was a Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics Hellenic Observatory. Her monograph, Protecting Human Rights and Building Peace in Post-violence Societies, won the 2020 “Constantinos Emilianides” award for best Legal book. She has worked as the lead researcher for various funded research projects, including those addressing human trafficking. She received the Social Action Award 2024 for the social impact of her work in the field of human rights, by the British Counsil.

Details:

Languages: The lecture will be conducted in English.

Age Group: 18+

Admission: Free

Workshops for Primary School students

As part of the “Face Forward …into my home” program, workshops for primary school students (second cycle) are being held. These workshops aim to:

1. Help children understand and learn about current migration issues through personal stories and experiences of migrants.
2. Promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals who were forced to leave their homelands and are striving to rebuild their lives in Cyprus.

The workshops have already begun, and schools are encouraged to contact the Nicosia Municipal Theatre box office to schedule appointments.

Information: 22797979 (Monday–Friday, 10:00–13:00) & bit.ly/Website_NIF2024

Festival Identity

Organisers: Municipality of Nicosia, Nicosia For Art

Institutional sponsor: Deputy Ministry of Culture, Republic of Cyprus

Communication sponsors: DIAS Publishing, SIGMA TV, LOVE FM

Sponsors of Face Forward …into my home in Cyprus:

European Funds Unit, Ministry of Interior

Asylum Service, Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection,

Embassy of Greece in Cyprus, European Commission Representation in Cyprus United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Cyprus (UNHCR),

Social Welfare Services (YKE), Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, Press and Information Office.