NEWS

Meeting of Oxygen for Democracy representatives with Commissioner for the Citizen 

The founder and vice president of Oxygen for Democracy Dr. Nicolas Kyriakides and the organization's policy officer George Isaia, held a meeting on January 18, 2024, with the Commissioner for the Citizen, Mr. Panagiotis Palates. 

During the meeting, the representatives of our organization briefed the Commissioner on the action of Oxygen for Democracy, in particular regarding issues of democracy, participation, inclusion and transparency, while expressing their intention to work closely with the Commissioner's office. 

The Commissioner briefed our representatives on the terms of reference of the institution, while outlining its first priorities, including the pilot implementation of an upgraded course in Citizenship Education, both in primary and secondary education.  

Finally, the Commissioner expressed the mutual intention to work closely together, for the benefit of citizens and society at large. 

Meeting of Oxygen for Democracy representatives with Commissioner for the Citizen  Read More »

Legislation Matters-Youth Matters: Regulation of lobbying in Cyprus 

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, Oxygen for Democracy and Oroklini Multiplex, in the framework of the European Erasmus+ program Legislation Matters-Youth Matters, organized an educational workshop, during which they presented to a group of UCLan Cyprus students basic tools for participation in policy-making processes, as well as the basic provisions of the legislation regulating lobbying in Cyprus.  

The organizers, after listening to the students' views, gathered their suggestions on the above issues, in order to submit them to the competent government bodies, with the aim of exerting positive pressure on the decision-making centers.   

Legislation Matters-Youth Matters: Regulation of lobbying in Cyprus  Read More »

The implementation of Lobbying Law as a tool of Transparency 

On the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, the Independent Authority against Corruption organized an event, on Friday, December 8, 2023, entitled: "The implementation of the Lobbying Law as a tool of Transparency for the purpose of preventing and combating Corruption".  

The topics were selected following the Authority's decision to implement the Lobbying legislation gradually from November 27, 2023. 

After the brief greeting by the Commissioner for Transparency, Mr. Haris Poyiatzis, there was an introduction to the Law of Lobbying by the Member of the Authority Mr. Elena Patera and an intervention by Dr. Nicolas Kyriakides, Special Associate of the University of Nicosia and co-founder of Oxygen for Democracy, on "Benefits and challenges in the implementation of Lobbying Legislation". 

Most of the time was spent on questions and answers as well as discussion on the topic, with live audience participation.  

The event was honored, among others, by the presence of the former Minister of Justice and Public Order, Mr. Ionas Nicolaou, as, under his own Ministry, the lobbying bill was drafted and promoted, the MP Mr. Marios Mavrides, the Commissioner for Legislation, the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, the President of the Cyprus Bar Association, the Commissioner of Taxation, the Registrar of Companies, the Commissioner of State Aid Control, the Commissioner of Internal Audit, the Assistant Accountant General, the Mayor of Kythrea and the President of the Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints against the Police. 

The implementation of Lobbying Law as a tool of Transparency  Read More »

Legislation Matters-Youth Matters: Citizens' initiatives (e-petitions) 

On Thursday, November 23, 2023, Oxygen for Democracy and Oroklini Multiplex, in the framework of the European Erasmus+ program Legislation Matters-Youth Matters, organized an educational workshop, during which they presented to a group of students basic tools for participation in policy-making processes, as well as the basic provisions of the legislation under examination on citizens' initiatives (e-petitions). 

The organizers, after listening to the students' views, gathered their suggestions on the above issues, in order to submit them to the competent government bodies, with the aim of exerting positive pressure on the decision-making centers.  

Legislation Matters-Youth Matters: Citizens' initiatives (e-petitions)  Read More »

Annual Conference on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law 

On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the Co-Founder and Vice President of Oxygono and founder and Executive President of the Cyprus Forum, Dr. Nicolas Kyriakides, participated as honorary speaker and representative of Cyprus from Civil Society, at the Annual Conference on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law, held in Brussels by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), entitled "Civil society's view of the recommendations of the 2023 Rule of Law Report". 

Mr. Kyriakides participated in the panel entitled "The implementation of the recommendations of the Rule of Law Reports", where the implementation of the recommendations of the European Commission's 2022 and 2023 Rule of Law Reports was examined, as well as how to further consolidate the rule of law review mechanism. The Co-Founder and Vice President of Oxygono stressed that "we need a harmonized approach to consultation with Civil Society on the Rule of Law reports and perhaps less diplomacy. The difficult balance between criticism and diplomacy is a recurring problem that makes reports too bland and less relevant."  

For more information see here: www.eesc.europa.conference.eu

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Rule of Law in Cyprus: Self-criticism and constructive attitude are required

The European Commission issued on July 5 2023 the report on the Rule of Law in the Republic of Cyprus, which calls on our Republic to carry out reforms that are compliant and consistent with European Principles and standards. As can be seen from the references in the Report, Oxygono (NGO) contributed to highlighting fundamental problems for the Rule of Law during the process of submission of opinions.

In particular, our organisation contributed to highlighting the following issues: 

(a) The bill on the autonomy of the Legal Service, which has been tabled in Parliament, does not provide for a clear distinction between an advisory and prosecutorial role.

(b) There is no institutional counterweight regarding the review of the decisions of the Attorney General in cases of prosecution or non-prosecution. 

(c) There are still serious challenges regarding the effectiveness of the judiciary, especially regarding delays and the recruitment and evaluation of judges. 

(d) Further action is required to make progress on public consultations, implementation of legislation regulating lobbying, etc. 

As far as the evaluation of the report is concerned, first of all we must look at it through a lens of self-criticism, however without strong criticisms from either side. That was not the atmosphere at the meeting of the Committee on Institutions, on 12 July 2023, where the report's findings were discussed. Even if we were high in the transparency indicators, we should still seek to improve, especially now that we rank towards the last places. The fight against corruption is important, on the one hand because when there is meritocracy and transparency, it is well established in the literature that states prosper. On the other hand, in a rule of law there is social cohesion, fewer disputes, while our image abroad will be reliable. 

As mentioned in the summary of the chapter on Cyprus, some of the main recommendations recorded are the following:   

(a) strengthening the independence and accountability of the prosecution authority, inter alia by providing the possibility to review decisions of the Attorney General not to prosecute or to suspend proceedings, taking into account the European principles of independence and autonomy of the prosecution;   

(b) ensuring that the newly created Independent Anti-Corruption Authority has the financial resources, personnel and technical capabilities and resources to effectively fulfill its mandate;   

(c) adopting a framework for effective and timely stakeholder consultation on the legislative process, and ensuring its implementation.   

Regarding the progress that has been made in relation to the 2022 Report, it stands out that no progress was recorded in relation to the establishment of transparency rules for the assets of elected officials so that there is a regular and complete registration of the data that are fully and regularly confirmed. The debate on the matter will continue in Parliament in the Autumn. 

However, significant progress is being made in ensuring that reforms to the way judges of the Supreme Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court are appointed are in line with relevant European principles and the opinion of the Venice Commission. There is also some progress in reforming the composition of the Supreme Judicial Council and ensuring that it is consistent with the same principles. Some progress has still been made in improving the effectiveness of the investigation and adjudication of high-level corruption cases, including by strengthening the Office of the Attorney General and its financial independence.   

Some progress is also recorded in relation to strengthening regulations to improve the independence of public media, as well as improving the framework for public consultation in the legislative process. 

In our view, the most important issue raised in the Report is that of the absence of control mechanisms of the Attorney’s Office. Our suggestion is to immediately request technical assistance from the European Commission and the Council of Europe, as was rightly done during the justice reform process.  

Oxygono has set up a team of experts from Cyprus and abroad for further scientific analysis of the problems for the rule of law arising from the unchecked powers of the Attorney’s Office and investigation of the most ideal possible control mechanisms. The findings of this work will be presented, among other issues related to the rule of law, at the Cyprus Forum 2023, which will take place on 29 and 30 September.

As an organisation, we welcome all the reform efforts made so far that contribute to the realization of the goals for a real rule of law in Cyprus, such as judicial reform, the appointment of independent officers in the Anti-Corruption Authority and the legislative regulation of lobbying activity.   

By Dr. Nicolas Kyriakides (co-founder of Oxygono), Giorgos Isaias (Executive Director of Nomoplatform) and Michalis Tsangaridis (External Partner of Oxygono, Student of political and economic sciences at Princeton University)

Rule of Law in Cyprus: Self-criticism and constructive attitude are required Read More »

Job Opportunity: Policy Officer

We are looking to recruit a Policy Officer to join our team at our offices in Nicosia.

JOB DESCRIPTION
You will work on a full-time basis as a member of a team. Work from home is possible, twice a week. You will participate in the organisation of events, the sound project management of EU-funded projects and contribute to the development of new projects.

Responsibilities include::
• Handle the preparation and submission of new proposals, written in Greek or in English and submitted under structural funds and/or European funding programmes.
• Coordinate project documentation, according to the needs of each programme.
• Manage and write content for the website and social media of Oxygono.
• Undertake the scheduling, agenda preparation and coordination of conferences and internal and external events e.g., Cyprus Forum.
• Assisting with special projects when necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS
• University degree in Education, ICT/Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities, Business/Management, Economics, Energy, Environment and Health or related field.
• Master’s or PhD degree will be considered as an advantage.
• Relevant experience in a similar position.
• Experience with the European funding programmes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Greek and English.
• Strong administrative and organisational skills.
• Ability to multi-task in a busy and demanding work environment.
• Ability to meet deadlines effectively and to handle multiple priorities concurrently.
• Able to work independently to complete assigned tasks/projects.
• Proven characteristics and skills such as leadership, teamship and strong communication ability, is considered to be a plus.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates are requested to send their full CV by email to contact@oxygono.org including the reference PO2023 no later than June 16, 2023. Only applications that fulfill the above requested qualifications will be considered. All applications will be treated in confidence.

Job Opportunity: Policy Officer Read More »

Winds of Change: A sailing journey with a common purpose 

Oxygono is pleased to announce that will be delivery partner of the Wind of Change programme.  

Wind of Change is a bi-communal programme that includes the tour of Cyprus with a sailing boat and participation in the crew of young Cypriots aged 18-30, from both communities of the island.

For more information check the following media reports:

Politis (26/03/2023)

Πολίτης (26/03/2023)

Winds of Change: A sailing journey with a common purpose  Read More »

Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Limassol Municipality

Oxygono and Limassol Municipality signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday, 15 November 2022. 

Oxygono's goal is to collaborate with the Limassol Municipality, among others, for the Cyprus Forum Cities, the largest local government conference in Cyprus, which will take place for the first time on 8 April 2023 in Limassol, in collaboration with the CUT.

We especially thank the Mayor of Limassol, Mr. Nicos Nicolaides and Annita Evgeniou of the Press and Communication Office of the Limassol Municipality for the positive response and help. 

Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Limassol Municipality Read More »

European Citizen's Prize 2022 to the founder of Oxygono, Nicolas Kyriakides

The European Citizen's Prize 2022 for Cyprus was awarded to the founder of Oxygono, Mr. Nicolas Kyriakides, by the European Parliament for the projects Cyprus Forum and Nomoplatform.

In a small ceremony at the EU House in Nicosia, the MEP, Loucas Fourlas, member of the national selection committee presented the prize. The award ceremony took place in the presence of ambassadors of EU countries and officials of the Representation of the European Commission and the European Parliament Office in Cyprus. The official ceremony took place on the 8th of November 2022, at the European Parliament building, in Brussels, together with all the laureates, coming from all the Member States of the Union.  

The European Citizen's Prize was established in 2008 by the European Parliament as a reward for outstanding achievements by citizens, groups, associations or organisations whose actions have shown exceptional commitment to promoting better mutual understanding and closer integration among the citizens of the Member States or to facilitating cross-border or transnational cooperation within the EU. 

As Nicolas Kyriakides mentioned, “This award was given to Oxygono and its projects, the Cyprus Forum and Nomoplatform. Therefore, it is also awarded to all the people who have worked and are working on these projects. Oxygono was and will continue to be a revolutionary project, with the ultimate goal of creating a culture of political objectivity and ethics”.

Pictures from the ceremony in Cyprus and at the European Parliament in Brussels: 

Video clip from the ceremony at the European Parliament:

European Citizen's Prize 2022 to the founder of Oxygono, Nicolas Kyriakides Read More »