The association for social reform (Opek) on Tuesday decried an “orchestrated effort of disinformation and distortion” in criticism of the Imagine programme’s organisation of events involving Greek Cypriot children in Kyrenia.

It said criticism of the Imagine programme has been made “with the clear aim of dragging us to the past”.

“Instead of seeking channels of communication, dialogue and a common perspective, some insist on measuring patriotism through the refusal to be acquainted with our entire homeland. Behind the loud nationalist outbursts, their real intention is to convince everyone that Cyprus ends at the Green Line,” it added.

It went on to say it “condemns any attempt to distort the significance of the Imagine programme”, pointing out that it has the official support of the presidency and the government.

“We will stand against these groups which, through deliberate misinformation and sensationalist rhetoric, use people’s sensitivities to build political capital with the ultimate goal of winning votes at the next elections,” it said.

It added that criticism of the programme constitutes “the creation of a climate of intimidation and insecurity”, which “undermines every effort at dialogue and conversation, the fundamental right of all those who wish to participate in the programme voluntarily”.

Of the Imagine programme itself, Opek pointed out that 6,700 schoolchildren and 1,200 teachers have participated in it since its creation in 2017, and that President Nikos Christodoulides himself had extolled its virtues in his piece in January’s report on the United Nations’ good offices on the island.

Christodoulides had said the project “has provided the opportunity for thousands of schoolchildren and hundreds of teachers from both communities to participate in this peace education effort and is widely recognised as having contributed significantly to the promotion of a culture of peace and reconciliation”.

Opek said the government “rightly supports the programme and its actions”, pointing out that those actions also include projects in the north, and adding that attacks levelled at Education Minister Athena Michaelidou are thus “unwarranted”.

It added that it “will not stop imagining and demanding a Cyprus which unites instead of dividing, which creates instead of fearing.

“The responsible stance is not to erect walls, but to build bridges, and we will continue to do this by supporting Imagine and every young Cypriot who dares to demand the future they deserve.”

The issue had made headlines after website SigmaLive reported that the education ministry had sent a circular about the programme’s planned activities, which included a trip to the Kyrenia harbour.

The education ministry said it had launched an investigation into two schools which were set to be partaking in the trip, but also said participation in such activities is voluntary and requires parental approval.

Michaelidou also weighed in on the matter, saying it was clear that schools should not be involved in arranging or facilitating visits to the north, but also defending the concept of the Imagine programme.

This is not the first time the Imagine programme has made political headlines, with Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar having cancelled official Turkish Cypriot participation in the programme in 2022.

He at the time said the programme undermines the existence of two states on the island.