1. Definition
These are the organizing principles of
"Eastern Mediterranean University Center of Research and Communication for Peace".
In these principles:
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“University” corresponds to the Eastern Mediterranean University.
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“Rector” corresponds to the Rector of Eastern Mediterranean University.
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“Dean” corresponds to the Dean of Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, EMU.
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“Faculty” corresponds to the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, EMU.
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“Faculty Board” corresponds to the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Faculty Board, EMU.
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“Center” corresponds to the Center of Research and Communication for Peace.
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“Director” corresponds to the Director of Center of Research and Communication for Peace.
2. Aim
Aims of the center:
(a) Initiate and submit researches and projects that will focus on the role of the media in promoting peace between and within communities in the region.
(b) Provide an environment that brings academics, media professionals, community activists, policymakers, politicians, and communication students together through panel discussions, co-research, conferences, workshops and training, to increase awareness of peace journalism and its goals.
(c) Promote peace-oriented education in journalism by developing peace journalism courses and programs through a revision of current journalism courses in line with the theory and practices of peace journalism.
(d) Have exchange programs for students and academicians with those from other universities that also incorporate peace communication programs and/or have peace communication centers.
(e) Collaborate with media industries, institutions, and associations in general as well as with universities, colleges, research centers, conflict resolution and reconciliation groups in North and South Cyprus, the region and in Europe.
(f) Monitor the media across Cyprus from peace communication perspectives.
(g) Establish a website that will include an online academic journal dedicated to peace communication.
(h) Establish an MA program in Peace Communication for media workers and communication graduates.
(i) Develop materials for both undergraduate and graduate courses for trainings in peace communication and encourage publications in the field.
(j) Prepare a "Peace Communication Award" and develop the criteria to be used to select and honor media workers annually on May 3rd, Press Freedom Day.
(k) Collaborate with the media to promote peace-oriented media productions.
(l) Encourage and supervise the production of programming in electronic media at EMU's radio and television stations, and in print at EMU'S newspaper that promote peaceful communication within media outlets.
3. Working Area
Working areas of center:
(a) To conduct research, analysis, training, development studies, and projects.
(b) To publish books and journal articles.
(c) To collaborate with other units in the university and organize common training programs and study.
(d) To collaborate with national and international associations encouraging studies in the field; and to hold conferences, congresses, scientific meetings and work toward publication of outcomes.
(e) To work towards opening interdisciplinary MA and PhD programs.
(f) To provide consulting services for public and private enterprises.
(g) To produce scientific publications at the completion of research while providing suggestions and critique to related enterprises.
4. Organization and Administration
The Organs of the center are:
(a) Director
(b) Executive Board
(c) Advisory Board
(d) Honorary Board
(e) Working Groups and Central Units (optional)
(f) Project Groups (optional)
5. Director
(a) The Director of the Center is elected by the Executive Board from among its members and may, under exceptional circumstances, be removed or replaced with a two-third majority of the Executive Board members.
(b) The Director is the Chairperson of the Executive Board and accountable to the decisions of the Board.
(c) The appointment of the Director of the Center is official upon approval of the Rectorate.
6. Duties of Director
The Duties of Director are:
(a) To call meetings of Executive and Advisory Boards and sit as the Chairperson of the Boards.
(b) To coordinate and actively work within the Center, the units of Center, and the project groups.
(c) To submit annual working report to the Rectorate prepared by the Executive Board of the Center.
(d) To draw up a load chart plan of forthcoming year to present to the Executive Board.
(e) To draw up a budget to submit to the Executive Board.
7. Composition of the Executive Board
The Executive Board of the Center is comprised of seven (7) persons. Full-time and part-time academicians, experts (working in projects groups and/or workshops), faculty members, and research assistants are eligible to become candidates for membership of the Executive Board.
If there are more than seven (7) candidates for Office, the Academic Board of the Faculty will elect the members.
8. Operation of the Executive Board
The Executive Board operates within the following guidelines:
(a) The Director of the Center acts as the Chairperson of the Board.
(b) In the absence of the Director, the Vice Chairperson acts as Chairperson. In the absence of the Vice-Chair, another member of the Executive Board will be tasked with the function of acting-chairperson by the Director.
(c) Executive Board members are elected for a three (3) year term. In the interim, if a member(s) is absent, new member(s) may be elected.
(d) The Executive Board members each hold one vote. For voting to be validated, there must be at least four (4) members present at the meeting. In the case of a tie vote, the Director has the deciding vote.
9. Duties of the Executive Board
The duties and responsibilities of the Executive Board:
(a) To determine and apply the Center's policy.
(b) To prepare and approve the annual Center report.
(c) To prepare the annual budget for the Center.
(d) To develop public relations strategies for the Center.
(e) To design and apply appointment and duty policies for the Center.
- To elect a Director for the Center.
(g) To cooperate with other establishments in accordance with the vision and mission of the Center.
10. Establishing of the Advisory Board
The formation of the Advisory Board:
(a) The Advisory Board includes members from within the university and/or representative of associations. The Executive Board suggests the name of Advisory Board members, and the Rectorate approves the nominees. The Advisory Board members work towards fulfilling the aims of the Center.
(b) The Advisory Board members are selected for a two (2) year duration and members may be reappointed following the initial (2 year) period.
(c) The number of Advisory Board members of the Center is determined by the Executive Board and based on the needs of the Center.
(d) The selection criteria for membership of the Advisory Board are based on assessed experience, interest and engagement in the field, as agreed upon by members of the Executive Board.
11. Duties of the Advisory Board
The duties and responsibilities of the Advisory Board:
(a) The Advisory Board acts on the request of the Executive Board and Advisory Board meetings are called by the Director of the Center.
(b) The Advisory Board evaluates the Center's work and provides suggestions for research and projects to the Executive Board.
(c) A majority for meeting of the Advisory Board is not compulsory.
(d) Three (3) unexcused absences from Advisory Board meetings will be cause for cancellation of Advisory Board membership.
12. Operation and Duties of the Honorary Board
The Honorary Board is formed as follows:
(a) Honorary Board members are renowned international academicians and practitioners with prominence in the field of peace communication. The Honorary Board members may be academics, media persons, and representative of NGOs.
(b) Honorary Board members have life-time membership. However, the Executive Board may modify the Honorary Board with a two-thirds majority vote.
(c) The Honorary Board is established to aid the Center in becoming internationally recognized and to assist in expanding the breadth of the Center. The Honorary Board represents the Center internationally and aids in the development of the Center's mission and vision goals.
13. Central Units and Working Groups
(a) To direct and perform research and to arrange and conduct training workshops as directed by the Executive Board and to assist in the development of the Central Units and Working Groups.
(b) The establishment and operation of the Central Units and Working Groups are determined by the principles developed and implemented by the Executive Board.
(c) Research assistants are appointed to the Central Units and Working Groups through recommendation of the Director of the Center and by approval of the Executive Board. Research assistants for the Center are appointed yearly and the appointment is renewable upon recommendation of the Center Director.
14. Project Groups
(a) The Project Groups are formed at the suggestion and upon the approval of the Executive Board. Project Groups are established to direct the projects undertaken by the Center.
(b) The establishments and operation of the Project Groups are determined by principles developed by the Executive Board.
(c) Individuals assigned to work within Project Groups are appointed by recommendation of the Director and approved by Executive Board resolution.
15. Benefits Gained From Facilities of University
The procurement of funds needed for the good functioning of the Center – including the purchasing of equipment, the hiring of services, and the appointment of assistants needed by the center – are set out in accordance with University regulations.
16. Implementation
These principles will be valid upon approval of the Eastern Mediterranean University Executive Board.
17.
These principles will be implemented by the Rector.
