DENVER, COLORADO- June 25, 2008-Critical Mass Leadership Education (CMLE) - founded by local Denver residents Michael Donahue and Michael Garramone will host 80 teenagers from divided island of Cyprus for three weeks in July. Half of these students come from the Turkish-speaking north side of the island and half come from the Greek-speaking south side. A United Nations patrolled buffer zone separates these two communities. Although these teenagers may live within 100 yards of one another on the island, they are separated by more than barbed wire: religious, political and socio-economic differences create ongoing tension throughout the island. Many of these teenagers have never met someone from the other side of island.

These students will meet for the first time in Denver when they arrive on June 28th and stay through July 19th. They will engage in a three-week long intensive program devoted to conflict resolution, multi-cultural awareness and community involvement with the ultimate goal of creating a more peaceful climate on the island. During their time in Colorado, they will be participate in reconciliation workshops, meet with key Denver leaders, live with local Host Families, volunteer in a playful service day with 6-12 year olds and take part in a week of adventure travel that includes canoeing, hiking, rafting and a high ropes course. This program is funded by the US State Department through AMIDEAST, a non-profit training and social development organization in the Middle East.

This will be the fifth year that CMLE has conducted this program. Past graduates have organized over 30 bi-communal meetings on their island, developed and completed several joint community service projects and met with key political leaders from both communities after they have returned from the experience. Students have also organized trainings with history teachers from both communities to examine the divergent historical perspectives represented in school text books. Plans are underway to form a non-profit group on the island made up of alumni and interested peers.

"I am convinced that the skills that they learn in Denver will be with them for life" says Juliette Dickstein, bi-communal coordinator at the US Embassy Nicosia, Cyprus.

Cyprus is home to the only remaining divided European capital city, Nicosia. A United Nations controlled buffer zone now separates the Turkish-speaking north side from the Greek-speaking south side. Four official crossing points severely hinder travel, communication and cooperation between the two communities. Since 2002, most adults have been allowed to cross the buffer zone, however students need a parental escort to do so.

Critical Mass Leadership Education is a non-profit organization that works with at-risk kids in Denver and youth from communities in conflict world-wide. Over the past six years, CMLE has worked with over 2000 teenagers, hundreds of adults, and more than 40 organizations including schools, NGO, private businesses and commissions.