Welcome to UNFICYP's monthly podcast Out Loud, in this edition, we interview Michelle Angela Hamelin and Ron Bragdon, two Canadian veterans who served in Cyprus since the Mission was established in 1964.

This year the mission is marking 60 years of presence on the island and several veterans who served in UNFICYP from around the world arrived in November to attend ceremonies, understand the Mission's current operations and to pay tribute to fellow peacekeepers. 

Tune in and listen to them sharing their experiences representing Canada while serving for peace. 

Presenter: Ersin Oztoycan

Canadian veterans visit UNFICYP

Welcome to UNFICYP's monthly podcast Out Loud, in this edition we are marking the Mission's commitment to end violence against women and girls during the 16 days global campaign against gender-based violence. 

We had a conversation with Katerina Stephanou from Step Up Stop Slavery; Mine Yucel, from Prologue Consulting and Lauren McAlister, UNFICYP's Gender Affairs Officer to discuss human trafficking and other forms of violence women and girls experience and what ways to address these issues.  

Tune in to learn more about their work and their efforts in providing support to victims and survivors of violence.

Join us and together we can prevent violence against women, stop its escalation, provide adequate services to survivors and punish perpetrators. 

Presenter: Ersin Oztoycan

16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Welcome to UNFICYP's monthly podcast Out Loud, in this edition, we interview the Mission's newly arrived Senior Police Advisor, Chief Superintendent Mingzhu Xu.

Tune in and listen to Mingzhu speak about her experiences in other peacekeeping operations, to discuss law and order inside the buffer zone and her vision for UNPOL’s work in 2025.

Presenter: Ersin Öztoycan

Senior Police Advisor to UNFICYP

Welcome to UNFICYP's monthly podcast Out Loud, in this edition we are pleased to speak with two brilliant young Cypriots, Ilayda Taşkaya and Maria Kranou about their participation in the Youth Champion’s for Environment and Peace programme led by the Mission's Civil Affairs Section. 

Tune in to learn more about their projects and how young people in Cyprus are coming together to tackle environmental issues across the divide and their hopes for the future of the island. 

The UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace programme is implemented in collaboration with the British Council in Cyprus. 

Presenter: Ersin Oztoycan

UN Youth Champions for Environment and Peace

Welcome to UNFICYP’s monthly podcast “Out Loud”, in this edition we had a conversation around this year's International Women’s Day theme: “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”

This year’s theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind.

Join us and listen to as we interview uniformed personnel in UNFICYP and civilians on how to advance women’s and girls’ rights, promote gender equality and foster empowerment.

Presenter: Ersin Oztoycan

International_Women's_Day_2025

🎙️Tune in to #UNFICYP’s Out Loud Podcast!

This week, on the occasion of World Refugee Day, we partnered with @UNHCRCyprus to share a series of interviews with refugees and asylum-seekers living in Cyprus. We hear about the perils of their journeys, their hopes, and dreams and how, despite their challenges, they are building better futures.

In this edition, join us and listen to Adam speak about his journey as a refugee from Syria and how people in #Cyprus and around the 🌍 can support those who are forced to flee their homes.

Let’s come together in solidarity with refugees. Today and always.  
#WorldRefugeeDay

Presenter: Ersin Oztoycan

World Refugee Day series - Adam

Tune in to #UNFICYP’s Out Loud podcast!

This week, on the occasion of #WorldRefugeeDay, we partnered with @UNHCRCyprus to share a series of interviews with refugees and asylum-seekers living in Cyprus. We hear about the perils of their journeys, their hopes, and dreams and how, despite their challenges, they are building better futures.

In today’s episode, join us and listen to Parwana, a young woman from Afghanistan tell us about her passion for education, why she was forced to flee her homeland, what gives her courage and strength, and her hopes and dreams for the future—for herself, and for all refugee women and girls.
UNFICYP
Let’s come together in solidarity with refugees. Today and always. 


World Refugee Day series - Parwana

🎙️Tune in to #UNFICYP’s Out Loud podcast!

This week, on the occasion of #WorldRefugeeDay, we partnered with UNHCR Cyprus to share a series of interviews with refugees and asylum-seekers living in Cyprus. We hear about the perils of their journeys, their hopes, and dreams and how, despite their challenges, they are building better futures.

In today’s episode, join us and listen to Stephane, a recognised refugee from Cameroon, tell us about his empowerment journey, the challenges faced by the refugee community on the island, and how he has gone from being a volunteer to establishing his own organisation that supports refugee rights and integration. From advocacy for refugees living with disabilities to activities like the 1st African Fashion Show, Stephane’s work gives voice and visibility to refugees in Cyprus.    

Let’s come together in solidarity with refugees. Today and always.
 
Presenter: Ersin Oztoycan


World Refugee Day series - Stephane

🎙️Tune in to #UNFICYP’s Out Loud podcast!

As we mark #WorldRefugeeDay, we partnered with UNHCR Cyprus to share a series of interviews with refugees and asylum-seekers living in #Cyprus. We hear about the perils of their journeys, their hopes, and dreams and how, despite their challenges, they are building better futures.

In our final episode in this series, join us and listen to Balqees, a recognised refugee from Somalia tell us about her journey to Cyprus, alone at age 15, and how she has faced her fears, pursued her education, and, with hope and courage, dreams big for the future as an independent young woman. 🩵

Let’s come together in solidarity with refugees. Today and always. 

Presenter: Ersin Oztoycan

World Refugee Day series - Stephane

UNFICYP

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