National Strategy on Cyprus Diaspora | 33 3. The new generation of Diaspora At the heart of the National Strategy lies the young generation of our Diaspora, who will be called upon to undertake the continuation of the work currently carried out by Cypriot expatriates. The new generation constitutes the present and the future of Cyprus Diaspora. After all, we cannot talk about Diaspora without contemplating the new generation. Our youth can take up leading positions both within our parishes but more importantly in the governments of their countries of residence, and from these positions they will be able to promote the interests of Cyprus. Therefore, it is necessary to continue and intensify actions to bring the young generation closer to the tradition, culture, civilisation, history and language of Cyprus. In order to achieve this goal, a comprehensive approach and coordination of actions is required at a domestic level, with the cooperation of the competent bodies and services of Cyprus, but also internationally, through continuous cooperation with global and local organisations of Cyprus Diaspora. It is indispensable that any formulated policy respects the particular conditions in which the new generation of our Diaspora is growing up. Most of them are young people who have not lived in Cyprus-in some cases they have never even visited Cyprus-and to a large extent they have been assimilated by the local society where they live. Therefore, we need to deal with this particularity and find the way to cultivate love for Cyprus, without having the youth feeling that they have to change or deny the country where they reside and enjoy citizen status. It is within this specific context that all actions intended to bring our young generation closer to their Cyprus roots, language, tradition, culture and history should be pursued. In recent years, the actions focussing on the young generation have been intensified. Youth participation in national and cultural events is encouraged more and more. Special emphasis has been placed on language through the provision of distance-learning programmes and courses.
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