On November 8^th, 2024, the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence for the Rule of Law and European Values (CRoLEV) at the University of Central Lancashire in Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus) organised the CRoLEV Social Dialogue Week on the ‘Visualisation of the Rule of Law and European Values’ with PRIO Cyprus and Civic Space and the support of the Indian High Commmission in Nicosia and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nicosia. The event was hosted at the UCLan Cyprus campus in Pyla, Larnaca and individual sessions could be joined by remote guests virtually.

European values in European integration and diversity

The day started with a plenary session and discussion on “European values in European integration and diversity” powered by the Peace Research Institute Oslo in Cyprus (PRIO Centre Cyprus) under the CERV project ‘RENEU’. During this session, His Excellency, H.E. Mr. Marek Szczepanowski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Republic of Cyprus along with speakers including members of the of the RENEU consortium, namely, Vladimír Bartovic (President of EUROPEUM), Dr. Harry Tzimitras (Director of PRIO Centre Cyprus) and Dr. Juha Jokela (Finnish Institute of International Affairs) engaged in a debate entitled “(Re)uniting the East and West: Reflections on the impact of 2004 enlargement (REWEU)”.
Furthermore, students who had prepared posters on the topic of ‘European values in European integration and diversity – Reflection on the impact of 2004 enlargement’ were called to present their ideas and were rewarded for their active participation. The session was moderated by Prof. Stéphanie Laulhé Shaelou, Professor of European law and Reform, Head of School of Law and CRoLEV Director at UCLan Cyprus.

Reading session with “Furry Reading Club”

As part of the day, a reading session in collaboration with “Furry Reading Club” took place at 12:00-13:00. The workshop consisted of discussion of the well-known novella The Metamorphosis by Franz. The students, staff members, and guests had the opportunity to exchange views on the novella, political, and literature movements of the time and their impact on subsequent works. The session was facilitated by Dr. Andria Michael, Lecturer in English and Comparative Literature, UCLan Cyprus, and facilitated by Órla, furry friend, and Stephanos Severis, Cyprus School of Dog Training.

Social Dialogue Forum

As part of the Event, two sessions moderated by Prof. Stéphanie Laulhé Shaelou, Professor of European Law and Reform, Head and Director of CRoLEV, School of Law, UCLan Cyprus and ICLAIM Founding Director, brought together civil society actors and academic research organisations.

During the first session, members of the EU-funded Civic Space building capacity in Cyprus across the divide, delivered a workshop targeted at students on the topic of ‘Youth Mainstreaming’ exploring the participation of students in decision-making and shaping the future.

The workshop was followed by presentations delivered on behalf of CRoLEV, the Cyprus Peace and Dialogue Centre (CPDC), and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Law, Alternative and Innovative Methods (ICLAIM).

1. CROLEV: Exhibition of visuals on surveys (corruption, transparency, media, democracy).

1. Cyprus Peace and Dialogue Centre (CPDC): ‘Embrace: rights for reconciliation’ project.
2. ICLAIM: PREPARED mobile application on research ethics and integrity in times of crisis.

Yoga session, courtesy of the High Commission of India in Nicosia (Cyprus)

At the end of the day, participants to the Social Dialogue Week were invited to take part in a yoga session powered by the Indian High Commission in Nicosia. The session proved to be a huge success as the participants of the Social Dialogue week had the opportunity to relax, reflect and further engage in a very safe and relaxed environment.

The CRoLEV Team would like to thank all contributors and participants for their very active engagement and support.