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It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth for the signing of the "Programme of Cooperation in the fields of Education, Scientific Research, Culture, Sports and Youth between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Government of the State of Israel for the years 2023- 2026".
The Programme we are signing today is essentially an update of the previous Programme of Cooperation in the same areas signed in 2016 and expired in 2022. The two sides agreed to renew and update the Programme for the years 2023-2026, convinced that this cooperation will contribute to the further development of their relations and to raising awareness among the youth regarding the history and culture of the two countries.
Our Ministry, responding positively to the initiative of the Israeli side, took the necessary steps to formulate a new text that meets the current requirements. The text has been reviewed by the relevant Directorates and Organizations under the Ministry, and due to the individual issues included in this Cooperation Programme, the State Ministry of Culture, the State Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy and the State Archives have also been consulted, all of which agree with the formulated text.
Today's event demonstrates in practice the will of the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and the State of Israel to strengthen mutual understanding and promote cooperation between the two countries in the fields of Education, Research, Culture, Sports and Youth. Cyprus and Israel maintain close and friendly relations and it is our intention to further strengthen these relations for the benefit of both peoples.
The signing of the Cooperation Programme is part of the efforts of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth for the internationalisation of Cypriot education and the promotion of contemporary Cypriot artistic creation and Cypriot sport in the international arena, while at the same time it serves the Government's objective of designing a cultural diplomacy strategy that highlights Cyprus as a cultural hub and gateway to Europe from the East. In this context, the development of our cooperation with a very important neighbouring state, such as Israel, assumes particular importance.
The Cooperation Programme we are signing today seeks to upgrade our cooperation with Israel on issues of mutual interest, as well as to promote relations between the two countries in the fields of Education, Research, Culture, Sports and Youth at the highest possible level.
More specifically, this Programme seeks to strengthen cooperation between the competent authorities of the two countries on a wide range of issues such as (1) higher education and cooperation between universities and research centres, (2) teacher training, (3) school autonomy, (4) special education, (5) education for 'gifted' children, (6) formal and informal education, (7) adult education and lifelong learning, (8) education for the environment and sustainable development, (9) technical and vocational education and training, (10) the contribution of young people to society, (11) interdisciplinary learning (literature, cinema, etc.), (12) the development of the education of young people, and (13) the development of the education of young people.(12) sports exchanges, (13) cultural heritage and archaeology, and (14) Holocaust education and research.
Special mention should be made of the cooperation between the two sides on the Holocaust.
Our Ministry's practical interest in combating anti-Semitism and educating young people on the sensitive issue of the Holocaust is demonstrated through the relevant activities implemented in our schools, as well as through the excellent cooperation between the Ministry and the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre Yad Vashem in Israel.
Just last week, 25 teachers from Cyprus participated in a training seminar on teaching the Holocaust, held at Yad Vashem's premises in Jerusalem. We are currently in the process of renewing the Memorandum of Understanding that we as a Ministry have signed with Yad Vashem in 2016.
One of our priorities is to give our students the necessary skills to build the society of tomorrow on the basis of solidarity and respect for diversity. By emphasising universal principles and values, human rights, democracy and the rule of law, we help our young people to develop critical thinking and a sense of social responsibility. Through preserving the collective memory of the Holocaust, we can protect society and create a better world than today's.
In closing, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Embassy of Israel for its prompt response and contribution to the completion of the whole process, and especially to our dear Ambassador, Mr. Oren Anolik, for his sincere willingness to further strengthen our bilateral relations.
In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Embassy of Israel for its prompt response and contribution to the completion of the whole process, and especially to our dear Ambassador, Mr. Oren Anolik, for his sincere willingness to further strengthen our bilateral relations.
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth considers the continued strengthening of our relations with Israel to be of the utmost importance and I therefore hope that the Cooperation Programme we are signing today will contribute in this direction and bear excellent fruit in areas of mutual interest.
IP
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