Short Description:

"e-voices Cyprus" is a novel project which taught us significant lessons for the implementation...

"e-voices Cyprus" is a novel project which taught us significant lessons for the implementation of e-democracy projects in "deep rooted conflict areas".

e-voices Cyprus was organized by four NGOs: the Greek based, Access To Democracy, the Turkish-Cypriot Social Research Centre KADEM , the Turkish Istanbul Policy Research Centre (IPC) and the Greek-Cypriot Political Modernization Movement. The project run with support from the Bi-communal Development Programme funded by USAID and UNDP and was executed by UNOPS. The forum featured two sets of closed and open ended questions requesting opinions on a series of subjects. Users also had the option of setting the agenda of subjects to be discussed.

It was structured in two phases. The first was launched during the sensitive political period prior to the deadline for the adoption of Kofi Annan's Plan and the respective referenda for the reunification of Cyprus.This phase offered insights on the main sources of information on political issues, and gauged public perception on basic democratic principles, e-democracy issues, and the political prospects of the island. However results in this phase were affected by a deep polarization prevailing on the island at the time.

Updating the questionnaires and scope, the second phase elaborates more on the day after the referenda and the European Union accession and elaborated on social issues and perceptions. The new set of questions ranges from issues regarding the aftermath of the referenda of April 24th and the accession of Cyprus into the European Union, to issues that stem from history, culture and Cypriot society. Two round-table discussion events were organised on 27th and 28th September in the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish-Cypriot parts respectively, with personalities from the academia and the press invited. The turn-around was satisfactory and spurred a lively discussion amongst all participants.