As part of the UN campaign to #InvestInPeace, the youth in Cyprus is leading initiatives to showcase how shared actions can build the foundations for a more peaceful and sustainable future.
In a world often divided, the simple act of cleaning a beach can become a powerful catalyst for peace. This is the lesson learned by Elcem Çınarlılı and Ifigeneia Lada, two young Cypriots who joined forces as UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace.
For Elcem, the motivation was born from a heartfelt connection to the island’s shores. “Recently, the amount of waste in our beaches was disturbing me a lot,” she shares. “It was beyond heart-breaking to see that view since we are Cypriots and sea and beaches are our culture.” This same deep-seated love for Cyprus inspired Ifigeneia, who saw the UN Youth Champions programme as the perfect way to channel her passion into action.
Brought together under the initiative, they created the Cyprus Blue Volunteers, a beach clean-up team aiming not just to clear litter, but to build connections. “Our mission was to bring people all together from various backgrounds while cleaning our beautiful island’s beaches and nature,” Elcem explains. Ifigeneia echoes this, highlighting their goal: “to create friendships and make our communities more active together as beaches are surrounding every corner of our island.”
Their collaboration quickly moved beyond a shared task to genuine solidarity. Describing their dynamic in one word, Elcem exclaims, “Girl Power!” Ifigeneia points to the profound “respect that we developed for each other,” which created a safe space for everyone involved.
The experience was filled with moments of simple, yet profound, human connection. For Elcem, a birthday celebrated together on the programme’s first day was a touching surprise. For Ifigeneia, the highlight was the shared meal after the clean-up, a moment she will “always cherish in my heart.”
Coming together through this UNFICYP-led initiative they discovered common ground in everyday interests, from TV series, music, hobbies, and found that laughter and purpose flowed freely.
But perhaps the most significant shift occurred in revisiting their perspective. Elcem was struck by how naturally their interactions unfolded: “This pushed me to think: How often would we all get the chance to interact if the crossings were not there?” she questions. Ifigeneia found her worldview expanding, leaving her “more open-minded than I used to be.”
Both Youth Champions passionately believe the environment is the ideal unifier for Cyprus. “Cyprus' nature encompasses its two most beautiful elements: Our seas and our mountains,” says Elcem. Ifigeneia agrees, noting that caring for the environment is “a joint effort that gives pleasure to everyone.” Focusing on this shared goal made collaboration effortless.
Now, as UN Youth Champions, they carry forward a sense of responsibility and hope. Elcem feels “unique and special” and dreams of a new generation that communicates more, showing the world that “no one else can come between them.” Ifigeneia feels blessed by the opportunity and hopes to continue building on this momentum, creating more friendships through action.
The story of Elcem and Ifigeneia highlights UNFICYP’s commitment to fostering trust and cooperation between Cypriot communities. By creating platforms where young Cypriots can work on common goals, like preserving their island’s cherished environment, tangible bridges are built, one cleaned beach at a time.
The UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace is an initiative supported by the British Council and several partners and underscores UNFICYP’ steadfast commitment to the Youth, Peace and Security agenda, recognising the indispensable role of young people as drivers of sustainable peace and environmental stewardship in Cyprus and around the world.
