NEWS & OTHER ACTIVITIES | 2015 - 2024


2nd ALECSO Forum ‘Twinning Arab Universities’ | UAE

19 - 22 Nov 2024 | The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) in collaboration with the University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Green Entrepreneurship and Environmental Volunteership in Arab Universities: Prospects for Mutual Cooperation. The conference brings together university presidents to seek prospects of cooperation to serve science and knowledge, strengthen bonds of academic scientific cooperation, exchanges ideas, and transfer expertise and experiences between universities in order to achieve the goals of the Arab Strategy for Scientific, Educational and Intellectual Research.

Climate Crisis in the Eastern Med & Middle East | Cyprus

Pre-conference Workshops | 23 - 25 September 2024 | The Cyprus Institute
MAIN CONFERENCE
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26 - 28 September 2024  | Larnaca, Cyprus

The Cyprus Institute partnered with the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts to co-organize the third iteration of this international climate conference, seeking to engage a broad spectrum of key stakeholders, scientists, academicians, policymakers, political and civic leaders. The thematic agenda examined the scientific foundations and model projections of the climate crisis in this ‘hot spot’ region of the world. Strategies for mitigation and adaptation, and their financial, legal and moral facets, were also discussed.

3rd International WATER FORUM | Athens, Greece

16 - 17 May 2024 | Challenges and Opportunities for Drinking Water in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans | Venue: Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Scientists from the Eastern Med and the Balkans participated to discuss and examine prospects for strengthening cooperation in areas of common interest around potable water. Geopolitical and common security challenges concerning water security and resources were also discussed. Organizers: Centre of European Studies & Humanities ‘I. Capodistrias’, Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry; UNESCO Chair ‘CON-E-ECT’; Democritus University of Thrace.
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1st Arab Forum on WATER SCARCITY | Amman, Jordan

7 - 8 Feb 2024 | ALECSO and The University of Jordan | Youth Workshop & Forum Session

The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALESCO) together with the School of Agriculture at the University of Jordan organized the First Arab Forum on Water Scarcity Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions. Hosted by the University, the Forum addressed the topic ‘Innovation for Sustainable Water Management’, and the challenges and mechanisms presented by the scientific community, decision-makers and end users.
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Eastern Mediterranean & Middle East Climate Initiative

2019 - 2023 | EMME-CCI | Regional Climate Change Initiative of the Republic of Cyprus

The initiative’s scientific phase was spearheaded by The Cyprus Institute, with the compiling of research by 13 thematic Scientific Task Forces from over 240 scientists and experts from across the region, producing EMME-focused research Reports and ‘toolkits’ of actions and recommendations for EMME-specific polices to address the region’s unique climate challenges.

A final EMME Regional Climate Action Plan was presented at a Leaders Summit organized as a sideline event at the UNFCCC COP27 where the Sharm el-Sheikh Declaration was launched.

GULFOOD 2020 | “Rethinking Food” | Dubai, U.A.E.

16 - 20 Feb 2020 | Republic of Cyprus Pavilion at the Dubai World Trade Center | Exhibition

GULFOOD celebrated its 25th edition with the theme Rethinking Food. This international event, which welcomes over 100,000 visitors from 200 countries every year, has shaped the Middle East for 25 years, bringing together a global community of partners, exhibitors and experts. This year it addressed a most critical question of the next decade: why and how do we need to rethink food? Participation within the Pavilion of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce & Industry.
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E.U. Interreg MED Programme | ARISTOIL | Cyprus

11 - 12 January 2020 | Conference “The Future of Olive Oil” | Larnaca Environmental Information Center

The ARISTOIL Programme’s goal is reinforcement of Mediterranean olive oil sector competitiveness through development and application of innovative production and quality control, and includes partners from Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Croatia, Spain. Conference Program: “Aristoil Interreg Med: results, trends, prospects for polyphenol-rich olive oil”.
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2019-22 Projects & Conference | Kingdom of Bahrain

WATER in the MENA REGION | Ongoing Year of Water Program & Conference 2021 |

The Future Earth MENA Regional Center (FEMRC), in cooperation with the University of Bahrain organize the conference “Water in the MENA Region: Preparing for a Changing World”.
Additionally, the “Year of Water” Program 2019-22, developed with ACTIVATE, serves to broaden the mission and scope of the conference with an ongoing series of water-themed events, public projects and water-related exhibitions.
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13th CAIRO BIENNALE | Exhibition | Cairo, Egypt

10 June - 10 August 2019 | Cairo International Biennale of Fine Art | EYES EAST BOUND

The Cairo International Biennale returns in its 13th iteration with the theme and title “Eyes East Bound”. Invited to participate, ACTIVATE will be presenting a film produced for the Biennale that shines a light on some of the individuals who are distinctively addressing the environmental challenges of the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa. The film is entitled EVERYONE HERE IS CONNECTED.

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E.U. Interreg MED Programme | ARISTOIL | Split, Croatia

May/June 2019 | 5th Partnership Meeting | Steering Committee (CY)

Interreg Med supports projects in the region that develop innovative concepts, practices, and the sustainable growth & use of resources. The ARISTOIL Programme’s goal is the reinforcement of Mediterranean olive oil sector competitiveness through development and application of innovative production and quality control, and includes partners from Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Croatia, Spain.
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Contribution to the U.N. CBD-COP14 | Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt

13-29 November 2018 | 14th Meeting of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity

As part of the participation of Future Earth MENA Regional Center (FEMRC), ACTIVATE contributes a green energy thematic from our EM/MENA Project at the COP’s ‘CEPA Fair’ (Communication, Education & Public Awareness), ‘Solar Cooking in the MENA Region’ alongside FEMRC’s talks in the 6th Global Biodiversity Summit of Local and Subnational Governments, an official parallel COP event.
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E.U. Interreg MED Programme | ARISTOIL | Málaga, Spain

6 - 7 November 2018 | 4th Partnership Meeting | Steering Committee (CY)

Interreg Med supports projects in the region that develop innovative concepts, practices, and the sustainable growth & use of resources. The ARISTOIL Programme’s goal is the reinforcement of Mediterranean olive oil sector competitiveness through development and application of innovative production and quality control, and includes partners from Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Croatia, Spain.
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Activate’s EM/MENA Project | Seoul Biennale | South Korea

2 September - 5 November 2017 | Seoul Biennale of Architecture & Urbanism | Imminent Commons

Imminent Commons was about identifying opportunities and challenges for future cities, and providing a forum for debate to policy makers, experts and citizens to propose creative ways to address urban problems of the 21st century, such as rapid urbanization, changing climate conditions, scarcity of resources, and privatization of commons. Organized along two major exhibitions, the Cities and the Thematic, the EM/MENA Project participated with projects & live presentations in both sections.
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Fieldwork Trip | North Coast & South Sinai, Egypt

Jan - Feb 2017 | Research for the ‘Seoul Biennale of Architecture & Urbanism’ and the ‘COP14-CBD 2018’

This was the first of our fieldwork visits to Egypt in 2017. With scientists from the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and their colleagues, the purpose of this trip was to begin to compile on-site knowledge on critical local environmental issues. This was in preparation for the projects relating to Egypt for the Seoul Biennale, presented within both sections of this event, the Cities and Thematic Exhibitions in Sept-Nov of 2017.
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Research Trip | Athens, Attica | Greece

July 2016 | Water-related research for the ‘Seoul Biennale of Architecture & Urbanism’

This was the first of our research visits to Athens, in mid-2016 to meet with representatives from the EYDAP Athens Water Company and their colleagues. The purpose of this trip was to begin to compile knowledge and an historical overview of the water supply and management of this ancient city, in preparation for the development of water-related projects on Greece for the 2017 Seoul Biennale. which were presented within both its sections, the Cities and Thematic Exhibitions.
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“WATER PREPPERS” Exhibition | Seoul, South Korea

8 November - 1 December 2016 | “Dongdaemun Design Plaza” by Zaha Hadid

This exhibition is part of the ongoing research, exhibitions and presentations on critical issues related to the global water & environmental crisis organized prior to the opening of the Seoul Biennale of Architecture & Urbanism 2017. For this exhibition, ACTIVATE presented a documentary research project on Cyprus: “A Mediterranean Story: An Island of Water Preppers”.

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FUTURE FOREST | “Save the Earth” Exhibition | NY, USA

27 September - 6 October 2016 | UN Headquarters | New York City
In collaboration with the UNCCD, the Korean NGO Future Forest presented an exhibition to highlight the importance of anti-desertification and sustainable land management efforts for the well-being of human life on earth - the latest initiative of its ongoing “Save the Earth Green Corps” campaign. The exhibition opened parallel to the 71st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA71).

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PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE | Cyprus

10 - 22nd June 2016 | Atsas Training Center | Skourisotissa/Katydata
Designing for Dryland Resilience: PDC Full-curriculum Course

ACTIVATE joins the Cyprus “Mission for Change” movement with the internationally-recognised Permaculture Design Certificate, a full-immersion course specifically adapted for the particular semi-arid conditions of Cyprus.

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INTERNATIONAL WORLD WATER DAY of 2016 | Cyprus

Saturday, 19th of March 2016 | 10.00-13.00 | Pera Orinis, Cyprus
Pedieos River Project #1:  Environmental clean-up & Presentation at the Tamassos Reservoir

ACTIVATE event in partnership with the ‘Energy, Environment & Water Research Center’ of The Cyprus Institute, with the support of Community Council of Pera Orinis for World Water Day of 2016.

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WATER MATTERS | InKo Centre - Chennai, India

8-19th January 2016 | Project — Artistic Intervention as Social Responsibility
Event 12 Jan | “Water Matters” Panel Talk at the Indo-Korean Cultural Centre, Chennai

Speakers: Hyewon Lee, Curator & Art History Professor; Guiyoung Hwang, Artist; Pa. Madhavan, Founder & Festival Director of Coovum Art Festival; and Melina Nicolaides, Artist & Founder of ACTIVATE
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PEOPLE’S CLIMATE MARCH | Nicosia, Cyprus

29th November 2015 — The Cyprus edition of the global People's Climate March

that preceded the inauguration of the UN Paris Climate Summit COP21 was

organized by the local affiliate of the “Friends of the Earth” Nonprofit Organization.

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BUILDING BRIDGES Conference | Nicosia, Cyprus

15-17th July 2015 | The Cyprus Institute—Research Technology Innovation
Energy, Water & Climate Change in the Mediterranean Conference Series
EWACC 2015 theme: ‘Building Bridges between Europe, the Middle East & North Africa

ACTIVATE Talk, Poster & Video Presentation:
“The Role of the Activist-Artist in Building Bridges Between Art, Science and Politics”

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