Peace and Democracy Award is an annual initiative established to posthumously honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of democracy and peace in Cyprus. The award reflects a shared commitment to recognising and preserving the legacies of those who devoted their lives to dialogue, reconciliation, and civic courage.

Award Winners

2024 – Lena Melanidou and Özker Özgür

The inaugural recipients were announced during the Cyprus Forum Event on October 3, 2024, at the Garden of the Old City Hall of Nicosia, following a public vote.

• Lena Melanidou, co-founder and conductor of the Choir for Peace in Cyprus, brought together Greek and Turkish Cypriots through music, promoting reconciliation and understanding since 1997. She ensured songs and speeches were performed in both languages, symbolising unity and respect.
  
  
• Özker Özgür, educator and political leader, was a prominent advocate of democracy and a federal Cyprus. A lifelong supporter of peace and equality, he devoted his public life to fostering coexistence and safeguarding human rights for all Cypriots.
  
  

2025 – Türkan Aziz and Xenophon Kallis

The second-year awardees, announced on October 1, 2025, were Türkan Aziz and Xenophon Kallis, both recognised for their enduring contributions to Cyprus’s social and humanitarian fabric.

• Türkan Aziz, a pioneer of Cypriot healthcare, became the first Turkish Cypriot head nurse at Nicosia General Hospital after 1960. Her leadership and role in eradicating malaria during the British period left a lasting mark on public health and women’s advancement in the profession.
  
  
• Xenophon Kallis, from Dali, dedicated his life to uncovering the fate of Cyprus’s missing persons. A sociologist trained in London, he served as head of the Missing Persons Service and adviser to humanitarian bodies, earning respect across both communities for his compassion and commitment to truth.