Author’s Note: Welcome to episode two in our series on Diplomacy. We have this episode and three more before the end of the season and we would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on how it is going so far! Be sure to comment or get in contact with any feedback you might have!
“I grew up in a system that is built up on war crimes in a place that doesn’t exist”
The UK’s involvement in the wider world can often be confusing – when do we stand for principles and when are we engaged in realpolitik? Sometimes, that involvement becomes banal to the point of not even noticing it. Thousands of Brits travel to places like Ayia Napa each year and might enjoy the fact that the Republic of Cyprus shares our plug sockets. Beneath that simple fact, however, layers of history can be found.
Our guest this week helps us to explore Britain’s involvement abroad by showcasing the power of civil society in diplomacy.
Berk Tansel is Turkish-speaking Cypriot and Policy Associate for Oxygen for Democracy as well as a former Parliamentary Assistant in the European Parliament. Guiding us through the rich history of Cyprus, we then look to Berk’s experience growing up in the last-remaining divided capital. He shares with us the stories and experiences of the mosaic of communities with Cyprus.
This then led to a conversation on the power of civil society, its influence on diplomacy, and the ways in which diplomats should consider engaging with civil society.
Before our conversation, Berk shared a moving story about his relationship with a Greek-speaking guard at the Green Line.
“Sometimes,” he told me, “Even to love is political”.
Find the link to our conversation, here and be sure to keep up with Berk’s work here!