The UNESCO ASPnet Schools was also actively participating this year in the celebration of the International Human Rights Day, organizing in cooperation with the NGO “Youth for Exchange and Understanding Cyprus” (YEU Cyprus), simultaneous flashmobs in three cities: Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaka.
In an effort to sensitise their fellow citizens as regards their respect of the human rights and the fundamental freedoms, such as the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the students of UNESCO ASpnet network in Nicosia (Dianellou and Theodotou Gymnasium, Latsia Gymnasium, Faneromeni Gymnasium, Kykkos A’ Lyceum, Pancyprian Gymnasium), presented at the capital’s largest mall, on Saturday, 6th December 2014, a flashmob which was created and taught by the choreographers Natasa Lambitsi (Council Member of the YEU Cyprus) and Elena Yiannaki.
At the same time, in Limassol, member schools of the network (Agios Ioannis Lyceum, Apostles Peter and Paul Lyceum, Laniteio Lyceum, Regional Lyceum of Apostles Lucas in Kolossi and ΙΒ Laniteio Primary School) made their own presentation and distributed informative brochures. In Larnaka, the event took place in Ermou Square with the participation of the Evriviadeio Gymnasium and Agios Georgios Lyceum.
The UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network has been operating in Cyprus since the school year 1969 - 1970, under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Culture, including 21 public and private schools from primary and secondary education. Schools work in a variety of ways aiming at the promotion of the UNESCO’s goals and ideals, especially in the domains related to the development of literature, arts and sciences, the natural environment, the cultural heritage and the human rights. For further information: www.unesco.org.cy
The nongovernmental, nonprofit organization “Youth for Exchange and Understanding Cyprus” (YEU Cyprus) started its operation in 1995, aiming at bringing into cooperation and improving the understanding among young people, with the exchange of information, experiences and ideas. It is one of the biggest organisations in Cyprus, with about 1.000 members, which organizes and carries out educational programmes on various topics and makes exchanges of young people, aiming at sensitizing young people and developing their skills. The methodology followed for the activities is mainly based on non-formal education. For further information: http://www.yeucyprus.org
Every year, Human Rights Day is celebrated across the world on 10 December, in commemoration of the signing of the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948. The aim of its establishment is the sensitization of the states and the citizens for the right of all people to appeal for all the personal, civic, civil, financial and social rights and all the freedoms proclaimed by the Declaration, without absolutely any discrimination, especially as regards the race, the colour, the sex, the language, the religion, the beliefs, the ethnic or social origin, the wealth, the birth or any other situation.