News releases

June 7, 2004

the republic of cyprus and harvard university join in
ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE

Unique Initiative Brings International Researchers Together to Study Global
Environmental Issues at Educational Centers in the U.S. and Cyprus

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos last week signed an historic agreement with the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) which will have a profound, long-term positive effect on the public health and environment in Cyprus and the surrounding region, while strengthening United States–Cyprus relations.

Cyprus’ commitment to the program will create a bridge between the United States and Cyprus with two new research and training centers – one in Cyprus and one at Harvard.  The partnership will bring scientists from around the world to Cyprus to examine environmental issues including air quality, water quality, waste management, industrial pollution control and risk management.

President Papadopoulos, who traveled to Boston especially to sign this important agreement, emphasized the regional and enduring significance of the program saying, “We care about the environment and public health because it touches the life of each and every citizen of Cyprus, and not just this generation but future generations.” Underscoring his commitment to increased government investment in research with practical applications that impact the lives of people, the president reiterated his enthusiasm and support for the unique agreement signed by Cyprus and Harvard University.

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Yiorgos Lillikas, who spearheaded the establishment of the program and has been involved in its development since early 2003, said, “I am certain that this Initiative will hold mutual benefits for both Harvard University and Cyprus.  There will also be benefits for Cyprus’ neighboring countries since the environment does not have borderlines and the solutions to the pollution of the environment must have at least regional if not global application.”

Under the agreement, the Cyprus International Institute for the Environment and Public Health (CII), which will be established in Cyprus as a Harvard School of Public Health Associated Institute, will assist researchers in Cyprus in addressing the environmental and public health needs of Cyprus and the region.  The Institute is designed to attract scientists from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the U.S. to Cyprus for training, research studies and international conferences.  Harvard Professor Philip Demokritou will take a temporary leave of absence and be the interim director of the Institute in Cyprus.

The HSPH’s Cyprus Program in Boston will welcome international students from and around Cyprus and will help develop the research, educational and outreach activities at CII.  HSPH’s Cyprus Program will offer masters and doctoral degrees as well as post-doctoral research training.  A minimum of five students a year from Cyprus or the region will receive fellowships to attend graduate level programs at HSPH. The initiative will also include training activities in Cyprus consisting of lecture series, short courses for mid-career professionals, and a graduate level certificate program.  The program in Boston will be directed by HSPH  Dr. Petros Koutrakis, Professor of Environmental Sciences in the Department of Environmental Health.

 “This Initiative will bring together researchers, educators, and practitioners from Harvard, Cyprus and the Mediterranean region to confront and understand the environmental and public health issues there,” said HSPH Dean Barry Bloom.  “The core activities of the joint initiative will be research, education and training, public education and outreach.”

Among the benefits to Cyprus, the Initiative will address environmental issues; will serve as a regional hub for environmental and public health training; will transform Cyprus into a global laboratory attracting scientists, researchers and students throughout the region; will help to unify the island, benefiting both Greek and Turkish Cypriots; and may draw more Harvard programs to the country.

The Institute is expected to be fully operational in two years.  It will be funded initially by investments from the Republic of Cyprus,  EU and regional research grants, and gifts from international corporations. Funds from the Republic of Cyprus will be used to establish a Harvard-Cyprus endowment at HSPH to support scholarships for Cypriots and others from the region. In addition, a similar endowment will be created at CII in Cyprus to support educational and research activities for the institute.

A proclamation issued on June 2 by Harvard, congratulates president Papadopoulos and the people of Cyprus “for their vision” in establishing the joint International Initiative with the university. It further states that, “With great expectation and enthusiasm, the Harvard School of Public Health and the Republic of Cyprus now move forward to develop a far-reaching program of research and education to create a legacy of improved health in Cyprus and the Mediterranean region and to foster a new generation of experts who will advance the region’s health for generations to come.”

At Harvard president Papadopoulos also had a private meeting with university president Lawrence Summers who signed the proclamation along with HSPH  Dean Barry Bloom.