The Cyprus Community of New South Wales hosted the 11th annual Summit of NEPOMAK Australia and New Zealand. NEPOMAK is a Cypriot youth organisation representing young Cypriots aged between 18-30 years old with a network of 15,000 individuals worldwide. The organisation’s key objectives are to provide opportunities for young Cypriots to learn about their culture, network with other young people, and promote the Cyprus issue.
This year’s conference was held in Sydney and included representatives from Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney with 30 participants in attendance. The conference included workshops where the following key initiatives were discussed:
*The refinement of a step-by-step guide for young Cypriots on how to establish youth groups and the organisation of events to bring people together;
*Ideas on fundraising initiatives to create a sustainable financial base for the organisation but also to raise funds to support charity initiatives in Cyprus;
*Plans for the next annual NEPOMAK Explore Australia Program (NEAP) – a youth retreat bringing young Cypriots in Australia together in a social environment, to be held in Bribie Island later in 2015.
The conference also included a discussion with the Cypriot High Commissioner, Mrs Ioanna Malliotis. She briefed conference delegates on the issues currently facing Cyprus and discussed avenues on how NEPOMAK members can support those suffering from the island’s economic downturn.
Delegates unanimously agreed to continue NEPOMAK’s work in promoting the Cyprus issue and lobbying Australian politicians to support a just resolution for Cyprus.