Successful Online Conference on Cyprus and the Commonwealth (1961-2021)

Co-organised by the School of Law of the University of Nicosia and the Institute of Commonwealth Studies of the University of London

On 20-21 May 2021, the School of Law of the University of Nicosia in collaboration with the Institute of Commonwealth Studies of the University of London, and supported by the Royal Commonwealth Society Cyprus Branch, organised a very successful international scientific conference on Cyprus and the Commonwealth (1961-2021). The conference marked the 60^th anniversary since Cyprus acceded to the Commonwealth and celebrated the recent cooperation agreement signed between the School of Law and the Institute of Commonwealth Studies.

During the first day of the conference, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Her Excellency Patricia Scotland, addressed the opening ceremony and highlighted the importance of Cyprus’ continuous presence and engagement with the Commonwealth, while the co-organisers, Prof. Achilles C. Emilianides, Dean of the School of Law, and Prof. Philp Murphy, Director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, provided a comprehensive overview of Cyprus’ long history with the institutions of the Commonwealth. Ben Rawlings, the Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Cyprus, also addressed the ceremony, touching upon the interplay between Commonwealth values and modern Cyprus.

The second day of the conference hosted three academic panels that delved into the historical, diplomatic, political, and legal perspectives of the complex relationship between Cyprus and the Commonwealth.

The conference sessions were livestreamed on the School of Law Facebook page and its YouTube Channel , while the recordings will remain available to all those interested via the aforementioned social media platforms. It is worth noting that the conference proceedings have already been viewed by more than 2,000 users.