NEWS

The sixth annual Cyprus Forum 2025 concluded successfully, taking place from 1–3 October in Nicosia. Political leaders, European officials, academics, business representatives and members of civil society came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Cyprus, Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Forum opened at the Old Town Hall of Nicosia, with welcoming remarks by Nicolas Kyriakides, Executive President and Founding Member of the Cyprus Forum.

President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides highlighted the need for reforms that strengthen the rule of law and transparency, while European officials including Costas Kadis and Marta Kos presented the EU’s strategic priorities.

The first day concluded with the Peace & Democracy Award, posthumously presented to Xenophon Kallis and Türkan Aziz for their contribution to democracy and peace.

The second day focused on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, social policy and sustainable development.

Deputy Minister of Research and Digital Policy Nikodimos Damianou and Flavio Arzerello (Meta) discussed the role of technology companies in democratic societies, while Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Yiannis Panayiotou and Minister of Finance Makis Keravnos analysed the prospects for the labour market and fiscal reform.

The third day centred on strengthening democratic institutions, citizen participation, and the strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Speakers included Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives, as well as Giorgos Papanastasiou, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Athena Michaelidou, Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, and European and international officials from the United Kingdom, India and Israel.

Discussions covered education, female leadership, the energy transition, and bicommunal cooperation as a foundation for peaceful development.

The Cyprus Forum 2025 reaffirmed Cyprus’ role as a hub for dialogue, innovation, democracy and sustainable growth, further strengthening its position on the international stage.

Nomoplatform recently presented statistics on the activity of members of the House of Representatives, focusing on the number of bills and parliamentary questions they have submitted.

These figures relate exclusively to the current parliamentary term and aim to highlight the work of elected representatives with transparency and measurable data.

A common question that arises is: What is more important? To have more legislative proposals or more questions? The truth is that these are different but equally important tools.

The legislative proposals express the will of a member of parliament to promote institutional changes and contribute to improving legislation.

Questions, on the other hand, are a key mechanism of parliamentary control, through which members of parliament seek answers and explanations from the executive branch.

So, value isn't just about numbers, but also about the content, seriousness, and impact of each initiative.

A second point that is often raised is: Are all legislative bills and questions useful? The answer i no.

Some legislative proposals have a decisive social impact, while others are more procedural in nature. Similarly, some questions raise serious issues of transparency or management, while others are limited to formal information.

Therefore, although the figures reflect the mobility of MPs, they do not always reveal the whole picture.

For this reason, Nomoplatform is proceeding with the creation of the Member of Parliament Evaluation Index. This Index will combine quantitative and qualitative data: not only the number of proposals and questions, but also other data that will be evaluated with different weights.

The methodology is based on international practices and corresponding indicators applied in the European Parliament, in order to provide a fairer and more comprehensive picture of each member's actual contribution.

The bottom line is that numbers have value, but they never tell the whole story. Our mission is to provide citizens with a reliable assessment tool that goes beyond statistics and captures real effectiveness and accountability.

Only in this way can citizens have a clear picture of how Parliament works and how their representatives respond to the task entrusted to them.

The following images show the ranking of MPs based on the quantitative data we collected, i.e. the number of bills and written questions they have submitted during the current parliamentary term.

 New collaboration for Oxygen for Democracy!

We are delighted to announce that we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Cyprus Investigative Reporting Network (CIReN).

Through this collaboration, we are strengthening investigative journalism in Cyprus by promoting the exchange of content, knowledge, and best practices, with the aim of accountability and transparency.

A central role will be played by Policypress, a new political journalism platform supported by Oxygen for Democracy, where CIReN content will be hosted.

#OxygenForDemocracy #CIReN #Democracy

The collaboration with UCLan Cyprus is focused on the areas of student internships, research and academic expertise, collaboration on events, strengthening each other’s business and pursuing knowledge transfer projects and public outreach. 

We look forward to working with the university to enhance our expertise in the areas of democracy, civil society and rule of law and bring increased opportunities to students of the university. We would like to thank Professor Stéphanie Laulhé Shaelou for her positive response.

Through its MoU with the EPC, Oxygen for Democracy has become a member of the EPC, allowing for participation in high-level meetings, collaboration on events and exchange of knowledge and experiences in the interest of promoting the organisations’ common values of transparency and democratic governance. 

This cooperation also enables us to strengthen the voice of civil society and contribute more actively to shaping policies for a stronger and more participatory democracy in Europe. We would like to thank Amanda Paul and Johannes Greubel for their assistance in making this happen.

In her FastForward interview, Georgina Athanasiou, President of the Board, Oxygen for Democracy, calls for urgent democratic renewal and transparency in Cyprus. Despite growing debate, she warns of backsliding in democracy, rule of law, and press freedom.

Oxygen for Democracy responds with initiatives like the Cyprus Forum, Nomoplatform (the island’s first independent parliamentary tracker), and citizen-focused efforts at local and international levels.

Georgina’s message is clear: real reform goes beyond digital tools; it needs stronger oversight, inclusive policymaking, and reengaged youth. Democracy requires constant care and collective action.

Read the full interview: https://fastforward.com.cy/…/georgina-athanasiou-oxygen…

Oxygen for Democracy, in collaboration with DISY MP and Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Institutions, Dimitris M. Dimitriou, invites you to a public consultation on the topic of a draft bill on the operation of the online portal “Transparency”.on Wednesday 18 June 2025, at 18:30, at the Foundation for Parliamentarism – House of the Citizen..

The draft bill in question, which was initially tabled by former MP Michalis Sofocleous and re-tabled by MP Dimitris Dimitriou, aims to establish a unified, user-friendly, and accessible platform through which all actions of public bodies will be mandatorily published, contributing to transparency, accountability, and the strengthening of public trust in institutions.

The event aims to provide an open forum for dialogue, where citizens, experts, organisations, and representatives of the state will have the opportunity to share their views, concerns, and proposals regarding the implementation and future prospects of the measure.

Event Programme

18:30 – 18:50 18:30 – 18:50 | Registration – Welcome

18:50 – 19:05 18:50 – 19:05 | Short Interventions by:

Dimitris M. Dimitriou – DISY MP & Sponsor of the Draft Bill

Nicolas Kyriakides – Vice President of the Board, Oxygen for Democracy

Michalis Sofocleous – Former DISY MP

19:05 – 19:15 | Presentation of the Greek Platform “Diavgeia” by Mr Aimilios Bagias, Head of the Programme Department “Diavgeia”, Ministry of Digital Governance of Greece

19:15 – 20:00 | Open Discussion – Dialogue

20:00 – 20:30 | Networking – Exchange of Views

Participation in the public consultation is free and open to all. This is a significant opportunity for active citizenship, where every voice can contribute to shaping a more transparent and accountable public sector.

For registrations, please use the following link: https://forms.gle/mcMkYz847CtsGUX5A

We want your opinion!

At Deliberate platform, you can leave your comment, express concerns, suggest improvements, or support the initiative with your own arguments.

To help you reflect before commenting, consider asking yourself:

· How can the mandatory publication of public sector actions enhance transparency?

· What information do you consider essential to be publicly accessible?

· What is the benefit for accountability and trust in institutions?

· Would you use such a platform in your daily life?

Comment now on the Deliberate platform and become part of the change: Deliberate – Consultation on the draft law "Transparency"

Your comments and suggestions will be collected and presented at the event on 18 June.

Innoeusphere, in collaboration with Oxygen for Democracy, are organising the 1st Larnaka StoryFest. The Larnaka StoryFest will take place on Sunday, November 17, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Municipal Market of Larnaka. 1ο Larnaka StoryFest. Το Larnaka StoryFest θα πραγματοποιηθεί την Κυριακή 17 Νοεμβρίου 2024, από τις 11:00 μέχρι τις 15:00, στη Δημοτική Αγορά Λάρνακας.

The co-organisers hope to create a space where the personal stories of participants will take centre stage, giving voice to each experience and providing a platform for meaningful interaction and communication. Moving away from conventional formats where only presenters have an active role, Larnaka StoryFest opens its doors for both participants and their stories to be heard.

Larnaka StoryFest provides an opportunity for networking with professionals from various fields, offering the chance for new collaborations and professional connections. At the same time, the event fosters the creation of an active community that promotes the continuous exchange of ideas and experiences, as well as the emergence of new initiatives and projects.

Larnaka StoryFest aspires to establish itself as a point of reference where every personal story will have the opportunity to be heard, inspiring and empowering the community to embrace their experiences and shape new, meaningful narratives.

Our stories unite us!

The event is open to the public, and participation is free of charge.

Oxygen for Democracy is delighted to announce the launch of the Oxygen for Democracy Award, a new initiative to posthumously recognise individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of Democracy and Peace in Cyprus. This award reflects our ongoing commitment to celebrating and preserving the legacies of those who have dedicated their lives to these vital causes. The nominees for this inaugural award are:

1. Lellos Demetriades - Lellos Demetriades served as Mayor of Nicosia for 30 years. In the early 1980s, Demetriades collaborated with Mustafa Akinci through a series of informal agreements to upgrade the city's sewerage system, marking the first step toward Nicosia's reunification. Demetriades envisioned a unified Nicosia and a reunified Cyprus.
2.  Lena Melanidou - Lena Melanidou co-founded and conducted the Choir for Peace in Cyprus, uniting Greek and Turkish Cypriots since 1997 to promote reconciliation and a peaceful solution to the political conflict. As a peace ambassador, she represented the Cyprus issue to foreign negotiators and politicians. She made sure the songs were performed equally in both languages and pushed for the speeches to be translated into Turkish.
3. Stella Soulioti - Stella Soulioti was a trailblazer and a highly influential figure in Cypriot political life. She held numerous key roles in service to Cyprus. In 1976, she became the first woman to join the Greek Cypriot negotiation team during the bi-communal talks. 
4. Xenofon Kallis - Xenofon Kallis, who led the missing persons service at the foreign ministry for many years, dedicated his life to uncovering the fate of those missing from the 1955-59, 1963-64, and 1974 conflicts. He worked tirelessly alongside families, earning the respect of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots. His commitment to locating and exhuming the remains of victims was unparalleled.
5. Özker Özgür - Özker Özgür was an educator, politician, and influential leader in the peace struggle in Cyprus, dedicating his life to community unity, peace, and a federal solution. He chose the surname "Özgür," which means "free", symbolizing his commitment to freedom. His efforts focused on democracy, political equality, and the human rights of every Cypriot.
6. Tuncer Bağışkan - Tuncer Bağışkan was a researcher, writer, and archaeologist. He conducted archaeological surveys and excavations across Cyprus and started folklore research with the Folk Arts Association in 1987. In 2011 and 2019, Bağışkan directed officials from the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus to possible burial sites, leading to the discovery of remains of Greek Cypriots.
7. Turkan Aziz - Türkan Aziz was a pioneering figure in Cypriot healthcare, serving as the first director of midwives and nursing staff and becoming the first Turkish Cypriot head nurse at Nicosia General Hospital after the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960. Her contributions extended beyond this role, as she achieved significant successes in combating malaria during the British period, leaving a lasting impact on public health.
8. Vedia Barut - Vedia Barut, a prominent figure in the Turkish Cypriot community, was not only a businesswoman but also endeared herself to the public through her involvement in culture, arts, and theatre. Known for her warm relationships with people, she also worked as a newspaper trader in Nicosia for nearly 60 years, facilitating communication between the north and south of Cyprus by exchanging newspapers even when the border gates were closed.

The winners of this award will be announced at the Networking Event of the Cyprus Forum, which will take place on 3rd October at 19:30 in the Nicosia Old Town Hall Garden. If you wish to attend, save your seat here https://2024.cyprusforum.cy/save-your-seat/. https://2024.cyprusforum.cy/save-your-seat/.

We invite you to participate in this important process by casting your vote for one Greek Cypriot and one Turkish Cypriot candidate you believe have made the most impactful contributions. Voting is open until 30th September.

Πηγές: https://inbusinessnews.reporter.com.cy/article/2024/9/20/796716/brabeio-oxygen-for-democracy-gia-te-demokratia-kai-ten-eirene-sten-kupro/
https://www.stockwatch.com.cy/el/article/emporika-nea/vraveio-oxygen-democracy-gia-ti-dimokratia-kai-tin-eirini-stin-kypro
https://cyprus-mail.com/2024/09/20/launch-of-oxygen-for-democracy-award/
https://www.stockwatch.com.cy/en/article/emporika-nea/oxygen-democracy-award
https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/new-award-recognises-cypriots-who-contributed-to-peace-and-democracy/
https://www.boussiasnews.cy/el/news/1726818728/bravio-oxygen-for-democracy-ghia-ti-dimokratia-kai-tin-eirini-stin-kypro
https://www.cna.org.cy/article/7301685/vraveio-cyprus-forum-gia-metathanatia-anagnorisi-oson-syneisferan-stin-eirini-stin-kypro