OPEK WORKSHOP AT UCLAN UNIVERSITY – Corruption affects democracy and limits pluralism
20/11/2023
With an interactive dialogue on the phenomena of corruption in Cyprus, the recent revelations of “Cyprus Confidential” and other ways in which it manifests itself to the detriment of society and the future of the young generation, an exchange workshop on the need to strengthen the quality of democracy and pluralism was held at UCLAN University in Pyla, Larnaca, on Friday 17 November 2023.
The workshop was part of UCLAN’s CroLEV Civic Festival and the co-funded EU Citizens’ Partnership Programme ”We-Together” in light of the European Elections 2024.
The discussion focused on encouraging citizens’ participation in European public life, so that citizens can develop their positions and define their future through the electoral processes.
Dr. Alexandra Uibariu, CRoLEV postdoctoral researcher, discussed the challenges societies of the 21st century are now facing, and ways in which political society attempts to preserve the rule of law and human rights.
Eric Sukiouroglou, Vice President of OPEK, discussed the serious problems of litigation that affect the rule of law and the quality of democracy in Cyprus and elaborated on civil society’s positions for greater accountability and control of political figures, as well as the need to strengthen the independence of institutions.
Kyriakos Pierides, AEJ – Association of European Journalists, spoke about the complex environment in which journalists today are called upon to carry out their mission, facing interference and threats, underlining the importance of the recent EU initiative for the adoption of the European Media Freedom Act.
The discussion was moderated by Dr Maria Tatsiou, Lecturer in Financial and Corporate Law, Faculty of Law, UCLan Cyprus.
During the event, a presentation of the online participation platform MAZI.EU was given, which offers citizens, especially young people, the possibility to register, monitor and develop their own activities to promote participation in European democratic life.
More information about the platform: www.mazi.eu
Information on the “We – Together” project and voluntary participation in its activities:
[email protected] | Tel: +35796387498
