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Boghos Avetikian: UN Youth Champions challenge the “us-versus-them” mentality

Boghos Avetikian is a 23-year-old Cypriot who cares about the environment in his country and tries to learn new ways to protect it.  

In August this year, he joined the UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace programme and learned about environmental issues that exist on both sides of the island. “Having the opportunity to meet new like-minded people from the north was the most important part of the programme,” Boghos said. 

“Having people with different backgrounds in the programme is crucial in promoting general peace on the island,” he further explained. 

Boghos mentioned that “in Cyprus we have this "us-versus-them" mentality which makes me very sad. A programme such as the youth champions changes this mentality and gives hopes to the future generation.”

He was part of a group of 25 UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace, which was launched in August this year, when together with experts and mentors from Cyprus and abroad, participants learned about the island’s environmental challenges and developed ideas for social enterprises to address environmental problems that benefit both the people and the planet.

Building on the 2020 programme “UNFICYP Youth Champions for Environment and Peace”, and in collaboration with the British Council through the COOPower project this year’s edition offered to young people a 2-week intense focus on Environmental Peacebuilding and Social Entrepreneurship.