The basic idea

Starting with Cypriots living in Cyprus and abroad we are asking people to plant trees to show their hope that there will be peace in Cyprus and the Middle East. Each person who plants a tree will be asked to send us the message that "I planted a tree of peace" and giving us his/her name (and other information). We shall post all this on a website with all the names of the other people who have done the same. We will invite people who live in the Middle East (or anywhere else) to do the same and send us their names as well.

Now for the details:

When do we begin? Sunday, February 24, 2002, in Friendship House in Pyla, at 11:00am

We are launching the project this Sunday, February 24, 2002 in Friendship House in Pyla, starting at 11:00am. We shall have our first bi-communal meeting for this project to discuss the logistical details of how to best promote the idea. We shall also do the first symbolic planting of the trees. The names of those present will be among the first that will be included on the website list. Participants are asked to bring their own small trees. These could be, preferably but not necessarily, olive trees. If it is difficult for you to find a tree because of the short notice, please, do come along anyway.

If you are interested to join us this Sunday, please send an e-mail to yepforcyprus@yahoo.com to help us in preparing better for the event.

Why "Cyprus and the Middle East"?

In Cyprus there are crucial negotiations taking place that might be our last chance for a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem. Cypriot Greeks and Cypriot Turks have a deep desire for the successful completion of these negotiations. As citizens we need to show this desire for peace and reconciliation in every possible way. Think of the possibility of Cypriots all over the world making a common statement together through the simple act of planting a tree for peace and letting everyone know that they have done so.

In the Middle East the escalation of violence, particularly in the last few of days, is becoming more and more unbearable to watch. The region has entered a time of darkness and seems to be on the verge of total war, where the law of 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' is leaving people everywhere blind and toothless. There must be something we can do, no matter how small it might seem, to reduce the sum total of evil in the world (indifference adds to this sum).

Perhaps it will be good for the Israelis and the Palestinians to hear that the people of Cyprus are planting trees, thinking of them, praying that there will be peace in our region. Maybe it will give hope to some people there. And maybe some of them will pause for a moment and decide to plant a tree and send us their names to add to our website list.

We are so near and yet so far at the same time. In history there have been so many regional alliances to prepare for war. Why not form an alliance of citizens in our region - an alliance for peace?

How the project will develop

I am not really sure and I am prepared for all kinds of surprises, but here are some possible ways things might go. Ready or not, we shall start this Sunday. A committee will be created to help coordinate this project of YEP 12 and we shall make plans on how to proceed. The names of those who will plant the first trees this Sunday will be recorded.

The two websites for Cypriot peace builders ( http://peace-cyprus.org/ and http://www.tech4peace.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1 ) will be asked to post the names and other news of the project. We hope to have the first news ready by the middle of next week and from there on to have regular updates with the new names and news about the project.

If you live in Cyprus and would like to come on Sunday but cannot make it, you can still be with us in another way. Just plant a tree and send us the details. The names will be posted on our websites in the order in which they reach us. Perhaps the first names (from Cyprus or from abroad) will arrive before Sunday.

I am already aware of at least three schools where large numbers of students would be willing to take up this challenge. I am also in contact with a local authority that will do the same. There is the suggestion to contact important individuals and organisations and ask them to plant a tree for peace: politicians, diplomats, non-governmental organisations, businesses and so on could be asked to participate. I would hope that the various bi-communal groups will take this opportunity to meet and organise their own tree planting anywhere and in any way they consider to be symbolically significant for the cause of peace in Cyprus and the Middle East.

I have many friends receiving my messages who live outside Cyprus. They will be reading this in the UK, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Australia, Holland, USA, France. I would also ask them to plant a tree themselves and even tell others, or the organisations they are members of, to do the same and send all the names to add them to the list. A tree that would symbolise their deep desire for peace in our Cyprus and the Middle East.

There are also people who will get this message who are Palestinians or Israelis. It is my wish that this project might ease their pain a bit, inspire some hope, make their heart smile a little in the knowledge that others are thinking and praying for them. And maybe some of these people will decide to plant a tree as well and send their names. Perhaps my friends of the Seeds of Peace organisation might want to take this up. Imagine possibility of the young Israeli and Palestinians joining hands with the Cypriot youth in this project.

There may be people who might just choose to plant their tree in their own garden, perhaps with other members of their family, making it a significant moment for all of them.

Participants in the project could, if they wish, in addition to their name, send us their town and country, or even their full address, their occupation and so on. I would further encourage people to send us photos of their tree planting activities and/or small pieces of writing about what this means for them. Send all the information at yepforcyprus@yahoo.com or at the ordinary mail address, or fax number at the end of this message. Whatever we receive will be put on the websites.

Please, pass this message to any person or organisation you think might be interested to participate.

Another dimension

To plant a tree in the context of this project may have deeper meanings. It may be a symbolic act for a person who wishes to confirm or renew her/his commitment to building the peace. It could be an opportunity to feel connected with the larger family of peace builders who are also citizens of the world. It might even be experienced as something similar to an act of prayer, or perhaps an opportunity for prayer for an end to the vicious cycle of violence and the suffering of human beings.

I will be planting my tree this Sunday.