Federation President Speaks at the Cambridge Union

Federation President Christos Karaolis spoke at a Cambridge Union panel about the legacy of postcolonialism on Monday 29 January. Mr Karaolis shared his perspective on postcolonialism and its impact on Cyprus, its people and the diaspora. The panel also included perspectives from Ireland and South Asia, given by Professor Richard Bourke, Associate Professor Humera Iqbal, Chief Executive Officer of Co-operation Ireland Ian Jeffers, and Dr Aditi Kumar.

Mr Karaolis began with a brief introduction to the history of British colonialism in Cyprus and Turkey’s invasion and on-going occupation of the island. He also highlighted the current efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem through the recent appointment of the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus. Responding to questions from students, the panellists then discussed the parallels of post-colonialism across various countries, as well as how communities can share experiences, rebuild and be supported.

After the event, Mr Karaolis said that “It is always a pleasure to engage with people from different perspectives to find both shared and diverse experiences. For Cypriots, discussions like these give space for the broader public and, importantly, young students to learn about Cyprus and the continued campaign for a free, united Cyprus.”