We are 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 honouring and preserving the legacy of those who dedicated their lives to these important causes. The nominees for the award, which was presented for the first time this year, were:
The winners of the award for the first year were announced at the Cyprus Forum Networking Event, held on October 3, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in the Garden of the Old City Hall of Nicosia. After a public vote, the award was presented in honor of Lena Melanidou and of Özker Özgür.
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.
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.