Our past and the wealth of our history, is rich with narratives of war, hatred and division.
 
The paradox of conflict - is that without it, one cannot comprehend the violent, barbaric, extremist, arrogant and egocentric nature of the mankind.  Often times- the most humiliating, corrupted and inhumane moments of our history, have served as moments- springboards and foundations for new hopeful and humane beginnings. European Union was established on the same vision and principle. The United Nations and the peacebuilding movements were generated as a result and a reaction against such realizations. Realizations of human stupidity and capability of atrocities.
 
Tomorrow- Turkish Cypriots are called to make a significant decision. Maybe the last chance of such a decision in our generation. A decision to either sustain separation and conflict- or the give a chance to the last window of opportunity towards a future that is detached from  divisive politics and illusions of our past.
 
 Greek Cypriots will soon have to face the same dilemma

My hope? The response to Famagusta's barbaric events and tomorrow elections become a milestone of a new, hopeful beginning. Away from chauvinist narratives that sustain division and feed real estate laundering,  corruption and separation politics across Cyprus. I am optimist in nature- and place all my wishes for a future that is build on Humanity and our potential. Without being ignorant- but with strong memories of our past. I hope tomorrow will be a milestone of a new beginning- and wish to host all CY peacebuilding forces in Japan- during the 2020ne Games- for new beginnings. Start from Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Fukishima and back to Tsukuba- to reflect- introspect and plan for the next the steps. The vision we deserve...

So will tomorrow be a window of opportunity....or κάτσε γάρε ψόφα?

​An opportunity to transform Cyprus as a hub of hope- peacebuilding and prosperity vs the opposite.



LA
10-10-2020

HUMANITY RESTORATION GAMES: A 2020 VENTURE WITH A 2030 VISION
Inspired and guided by the richness of the Olympian and Japanese heritage, we have established a number of ventures and a global outreach action plan as a platform for global engagement throughout the forthcoming Olympic year.The most recent initiative, Humanity Restoration Games, a 2020 venture with 2030 vision, aims to connect Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 and 2028 Los Angeles Games (with past and future Olympiads) to advance a worldwide humanitarian academic ecosystem committed in institutionalizing Olympism for Humanity in Action teaching, research and programming across the globe.

2020 GAMES LIGHTING CEREMONY
The inauguration of this venture will take place in Ancient Olympia during the 2020 Games Lighting ceremony and will include a yearlong World HOPE Relay, as well as Olympism in Action Programming and Symposia in Japan throughout the Olympic year 2020 and beyond. HOPE stands for Heritage Odyssey for Preservation & Enlightenment. HOPE aims to restore Olympian Heritage and Wealth that was lost in time- and translation- as a platform for youth engagement and 21st Century Olympism in Action champions of change, democracy actualization and humanity regeneration.

2020 World HOPE Relay
The first step of this initiative will be the implementation of Olympism for Humanity Heritage Preservation Program, a ten-day-long training session (HOPE & Praxis) in Greece in March 2020 with selected students key stakeholders who work with underserved youth, refugees and in regions with a long history of conflict.

​The 2020 World HOPE Relay will take place in Ancient Olympia, Delphi, Macedonia and Athens during the Tokyo Games Lighting Ceremony during March 10-22, 2020. This learning experience will be led by international MA students from Tsukuba International Academy for Sport Studies, a Tokyo 2020 Academic Legacy project- with ongoing mentoring and academic support throughout their learning odyssey- and with further support from Olympism for Humanity Allies in Greece and across the globe.  

The upcoming O4H HOPE and Praxis Program will provide training for educators, community representatives, professors and students in order to implement year-long educational interventions in their respective communities. Stay tuned for updates and engagement opportunities.

Step 1: HOPE and Olympism in Action Program in Ancient Olympia, Delphi, Dion, Vergina, Pella, Thessaloniki & Athens (March 2020)

Step 2: 2020 World HOPE Relay, Praxis and Symposia (April-December 2020)

Step 3: Olympism in Action Program: O4H Praxis and O4H Summit in Greece (July 2021)
 
HOPE Inspirations, Foundations & Virtues...Lost in Time & Translation
​

• Olympia HOPE (Olympian Heritage, Olympian idea, Arêtes/ Virtues, Philoxenia, Peacebuilding and Cross-Cultural Diplomacy)
• Olympia-dō道 HOPE (Contextual knowledge, Olympian Civilization with Bridges between Hellenism and Japanese Heritage; Olympian Pathway and the Martial Artist Mindset with Long-term Commitment to Embrace Human Virtues; Champions of Change and Peaceful Warriors of Human Progress, Justice and Prosperity)
• Delphi HOPE (Youth, Healing, Imagination, Creativity, Innovation, Arts, Technology, Cyberspace, Peacebuilding and Enlightenment)
• Epidaurus HOPE (Medicine, Theater, Performing Arts, Literature, Poetry and Creative Writing)
• Aristotle HOPE (Perfect Friendship, Eudemonia, Arête- Ethics and Virtue, Epistemology, Science and interdisciplinarity)
• Alexander the Great HOPE (Humankind Defender, Friendship & Collaboration, Alexandria, Knowledge Economy, MENA, India and Bridges to the East)
• Macedonia HOPE (Global citizenship, Hellenism and Cross-Cultural Heritage )
• Socrates HOPE (Political Philosophy, Youth, Education, Wisdom, Socratic Pedagogy and Wisdom)
• Athens HOPE (Athenian Wisdom, Strategy, Philosophy, Democracy, Zappas, Fwkianos, Chrysafis, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Dialogue and Democracy)
• Panellinios HOPE (Fwkianos, Modern Olympic Games, Revival of Olympic Games, History, Regeneration, Birthplace of Olympism)
• Lafcadio Hearn and Jigoro Kano sensei HOPE (Bridges between Hellenic-Japanese Heritage, East and West, Modernization, Literature, Martial Arts, Restoration and Resilience)
• 2020 World HOPE Relay (Universality of Olympian Heritage and Humanity Across Continents, Restoration, Resilience and Recovery from Manmade and Natural Disasters)

​2020 Steps with a 2030 Vision
The 2030 Vision is to establish an Olympism for Humanity (in Action) global network committed in the advancement of humanitarian and sustainable development enterprises across continents. The upcoming Games in Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 will serve as a platform for a long-term vision— connected to existing global challenges- humanitarian needs and the 2030 UN SDGs. 

​The goal is to establish Humanity Innovation incubators across the globe, fully engaged in year-long impact investment ventures by 2030 (e.g. USA and Japan in 2020; Greece, France, India, Guatemala, Cyprus, Rwanda and Tanzania in 2021, and expected in Colombia, Brazil, Botswana and Senegal by 2022).
​

Through this initiative we will pursue the following seven (7) Humanity Restoration Goals:

Goal #1: Engage, Train and Mentor- Humanity Champions of Change with 21st Century Olympism in Action Skills and Competencies

Goal #2: Establish O4HA Youth Training Camps/Incubators across the globe with National and Regional Programs

Goal #3: Create a Virtual O4HA e-Heritage and Resource Center (O4HA E-platform) as operations mechanism for ongoing mentoring Heritage Preservation (HOPE) and e-learning opportunities

Goal #4: Establish Humanity in Action Institute & Certification system (O4H Praxis) to Strengthen the role of academia with O4HA fieldwork and applied knowledge production

Goal #5: Establish Humanity Investment Regional centers across continents committed in institutionalizing O4HA Teaching, Research & Service

Goal #6: Establish O4HA Youth Training Camps/Incubators across the globe with National and Regional Programs

Goal #7: Produce applied knowledge through O4HA Book series and publications




Copyright © Alexis Lyras, PhD February, 2020

The last time I've tried to write something...close to poetic- was in elementary school- few centuries ago. Disclosure: Trying again- in 2020-  does not make me a poet- I am just catching up with my elementary school gaps.

2020 World HOPE lights our way
Olympia Lyronea of the day:

My Lala Land!
​
Life is full of battles.

Battles of different bodies- and different minds-
​Battles of darkness- battles of light
across all cultures and across all lands.
Across Civilizations across all Hearts.
Beyond- the bodies- beyond the ONE.

(NOTE: please add some acccentTTT here...)
 
Looking back- I catch my mind, to often travel across my time- 
I see my battles- across lands- beyond restrictions of certain a “land”-

And all in one body but with different mind.
With all mind and body driven- towards the light
Towards my Cosmos- across space and  across time

So- when I see my battles, across lands-
Instead of lakes and restrained lands-
I catch myself leaning towards to LalaLands-
across the Oceans and across all lands-
In a Cosmos – where all mindandbody become as ONE,
yet- still together- with same body but with different mind.

And as I further explore my Cosmos across time-
and cross the borders of mind and sky
The ONE Cosmos is in my mind- 
and always guiding,  my secret land-
Across the Oceans and cross all lands-

And when I travel- across all lands-
I see the wisdom that leads to ONE-
The land of wisdom that leans all minds
Beyond your wisdom- and beyond mine.
​The land where wisdom- Transcend with light
The ONE- where body can heal all minds-
and still- the unreal- is already ONE-
Within our bodies within our mind.

So- instead of countrysides, lakes- and small lands-
Don't choose the battles that block your mind
And fight all battles with all your heart- 
and any barrier- that shadows light
and share this pathway across all Lands
to all the pathways that leads to ONE


And seek for wisdom across lakes and lands
And learn the pathway- that leads to light
Travel the Oceans-  and across all lands-
to find the answers- that lead to one
beyond your wisdom and beyond mine.
Where light and wisdom unite as ONE 
Across the Oceans and across all lands

And as the Games will bring the Light 
The Games of HOPE will light this Land  
across  all Cosmos- with all our minds
expand our senses- beyond our minds –
where mind and body- can lean to ONE
The space where mindnbody expands as one
And join our efforts- across all lands 
and fight as ONE
In the land of the rising sun
To unite our Cosmos- across all lands
And expand our Cosmos-
​both yours and-surely- mine

 
(It sounds better if you read this with a Southernnnn AccentTTT)
 
 
Thank you, Universe,
 

InstagramING January-29-2020
 
#γειασουμαμμα

#2020FlameInspirations
#TokyoFlame
​#Hopelightsyourway
 
#etphonehome #Lyronea #roadtotokyo2020 
#wolrdhope #O4HVision #olympiadō道 
#2020 #2030vision 
#plato #aristotle #socrates #o4hpraxis

​

2020 is finally here. The beginning of a new year. New decade, new beginnings and new (old) resolutions.  
 
Blogging was never my strength- but a good friend and colleague keeps bugging me on this matter (since 2012). So, Craig, this is our 8th Bugging Year Anniversary without delivering- so I will  at least give it a try. This is my first 2020 (Olympic) Year resolution- and wish to start this year/decade with a public commitment to blogggggginngggK (with accent)- at least once a week.

The goal- and strong drive- is to show commitment in putting on a piece of paper, expressions, thoughts, inspirations, frustrations, visions-  on academic and non-academic topics (WITH typos) .

My challenge, is to put- no more than 500 words on a piece of paper (worddoc paper to be precise)- as per the guidelines given by Dr. Craig Zelizer and PCDN (by the way- if you are reading this – you should also check out their great new website and amazing work they do across the globe)- everything should start with a definition. So question #1. What is blogging.

Based on Craigian Wisdom “ There is no standard length for a blog, but in general a good blog will be longer than a Tweet (140 characters) and many experts suggest shorter than 500 words (but of course this varies widely according to the audience and content). (Craig Zelizerian wisdom, 2019 – and don't forget to login and subscribe) 

Remove every challenge that can be an obstacle for keeping this committed- so blogging should not take more than 27 minutes. (what do you think Craig? What does your wisdom say about time)

Talking about time- the goal is to …“block, blogging time - and space- in artistic- out of the box writing.

Definition #2. What is Lyroneia? Lyronea is lyroneia/ ΛΥΡΟνεια refined- ειρωνια Λυρικής Προελεύσεως)- Soooo: for the non-greek speakers, Lyronea is a concept I got from my muses few years ago-  and I thought about revising it- to give more meaning and dimensions to the worddd- (Lyras is my last name by the way) not Lairas- nor Liras. The first is bad pronunciation. The second- is a currency- (bir lira- Μιά Λίρα- ΕΝΤ ιφ γιου καν νοτ προναουνς Ιτ– το μυαλό σου και μια Λίρα – Thanks for reminding me the expression my dear ΝΥfriend ).  
 
Concentrate: Lyra (Apollo's, and Muses music instrument Note to elaborate another day)
 
The type of writing will have multiple dimensions free falling of creative writing shots of espresso- in other words- small in size but strong in richness.
So-  what does Olympia Lyronea stands for? For the moment- there are three dimensions (we can add more later on). The first- refers to a safe space for writing and expression of anything that comes to my mind without filter.

Olympia refers to content- as well as process- Inspirations from Olympia (the mountain at the backgrounddd picture) (in greek- τεηκ a ΛούΚ behind δισ τεξτ). THANK YOU for the picture, Randeep sensei) – as well as the Olympian Heritage …most famous mountain  by the way (make a note and underline to write more about it in future bloggingggzzz) TIAS students will soon be there (2020 Flame ceremony study trip student requirement #1: like and share if you are reading this)

Lyronea- in GreekKKK (with or without accent) sounds like LyroNews. News updates and throughs I wish to share with my colleagues, friends and students.
 
Lyroneia (with greekglish typo) has another Rooot. It seeks to blend news, inspirations, creative, out of the box writing- in search of- and for reaching closer to ….the truth- real and ideal. My road to Olympia in other words- with a 2020 pit stop road to Tokyo and Fuji Mountain (#roadtotokyo #roadtoFuji #ViaOlympiaroundabout)

Eironeia – Irony (Ειρωνεία)  (anoooother Greeek Fat wedding wooord) in the context of Socratic Irony and Tragic Irony (more words that lost their meaning in translation).

If we exclude the words I used from another source (copy-paste from PCDN)- we are good to go. Reached the goal 591
 
2020 Olympia Lyronea 1.1
(first blog, first mont of  year)
 
 
​

Jet lagged, inspired, determined, committed and guided by the the same vision. Unedited handwritten thoughts and vision after a short trip in Greece and Cyprus,  January 19, 2017 3:00 am. Typed and Posted May 10, 2017.   

Silence does not imply inactivity. January 19,  2017, a year after receiving the offer letter to join TIAS and its vision. Energized more than ever- for new beginnings, new ventures and new initiatives. The new year, 2017, is also the 17th anniversary of a soul searching journey I started at the beginning of the millennium- a journey rich in creative disruptions, life changes, graduate course work, field research, consulting, programming, evidence and scholarship, theory building and theory testing, teaching and service related to Applied and Inclusive Olympic and Paralympic Education for humanity, social innovation, peace-building and sustainable development.
 
As I enter the new cycle of life in Japan- I go back to the foundations, the rationale, the intensions and clear direction of my life’s GPS system that brought me to this destination. The main drive of the journey that led me here in Japan was my strong commitment and desire to further contribute to the efforts and establishment of an Applied Olympian Literacy/Education Olympiad enriched with restoration endeavors related to social innovation, universal virtues and humanity. In short, the objective, main drive and vision was to initiate ventures that would further contribute, restore and regenerate foundations and virtues that make the Olympic spirit universal and timeless- applicable and relevant to every community across the globe.
 
Building on the work I have been engaged in over the last twenty years and the synthesis of a concept note that led me in the land of the rising sun- grounded and tailored to the existing assets of the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo- I begin a new year and enter the new Olympiad- with an even stronger desire and commitment to initiate endeavors that can alleviate global challenges by embracing literacy, theory and practices that invest in-  and sustain a Human centered economy, literacy and ecology. The new venture is called Olympia-(dō 道) and it aims to serve as a bridge across time, civilizations, virtues, heritage and geography. A platform where the ancient Olympic spirit meets the needs of humanity by building bridges across universal virtues, pride and heritage- from the far east- to the west, north and south. A venture where Japan- and far east-  is becoming the global innovation center- and the birthplace, of the manifestations of the  Olympic idea into relevant and accessible practice of the modern world.
 
Olympia-(dō 道) Universality and Applied Educational System

​Olympia-(dō 道) as a name, it symbolizes the need for innovation and integration of words- symbols and wisdom of ancient civilizations  with language and practices that is relevant to the modern world by addressing current glocal challenges.  The Japanese context and culture of systemic and systematic efforts in achieving collective goals, pursuing knowledge and proficiencies in practice aims to ground the Olympian utopia (Olympic and Paralympic) and philosophical narratives in an educational system – and a martial artist way – the way  of a peaceful warrior.
 
Olympia-(dō 道) as a restoration  enterprise, it aims to uncover heritage, virtues, concepts and practices that are lost in time and translation. With these assets, as they are being restored- they will then be used as a boundless platform and database relevant to local communities in the north- east and South. The objective will be to regenerate local communities into engaged stakeholders (Ecosystems) that take action in forming human centered and inclusive enterprises of human progress, innovation and prosperity.
 
Olympia-(dō 道) : Human-centered Economy,  Literacy and Aristocracy
 
Olympia-(dō 道) is an integrated academic and applied academic educational endeavor driven by established theory and evidence from the field and aims to establish a system with ongoing  training, reward system and capacity building opportunities related to Applied Olympic Education and Olympism for Humanity Literacy. The objective is to unify collective knowledge of human development, positive psychology with social psychology and applied wisdom. Establishing and integrating in this way a social design were ideas are transformed into actions- collective wisdom and theory is being put into praxis to establish a human-centered based capital and economy. An academic system it aims to build the capacity of individuals and organizations with skills and competencies that are relevant and applied in each community- practicing and infusing in this way Applied Olympism- the Olympic Spirit and Heritage in Society. The reward system will be based in academic merit and practical-tangible achievements in local communities- establishing in this way a governance system of  Olympism for Humanity and Sustainable Development excellence, merit and achievements (Aristeia and Aristocracy)
 
 
Olympia-(dō 道) is a global academic venture that aims to to infuse the Olympian spirit, values, wisdom, virtues and heritage in society- driven and in service of Humanity. As for the where, when, who and how....edited, structured and feasible action plan is coming out soon.

Sustainable Academic Innovation Legacy, joint ventures & steps forward...will follow soon!  

More than half a century of conflict and division- Cypriots and the so-called pseudo-guarantors need to overcome primitive narratives and practices that had been reproducing cycles of war,  hatred, fear and division. 

War and/or any armed conflict and/or  intervention/operation SHOULD NEVER BE an option.

Japan's great example of resilience, peace-building, social progress and prosperity can serve as a source of inspiration- a great example we can all learn from. Without permission- Japanese constitutional Article 9 plagiarized /tailored to the Cypriot needs and context can be found below:

'Article 1 (Cyprus constitution- made in Japan): Aspiring sincerely to an international and inter-communal peace based on justice and order, the Cypriot people and The republic of Cyprus guarantors Greece, Turkey and UK, forever renounce war (and/or any armed inter-communal and intra or inter-state conflict/operation/intervention) as a sovereign right of the nation (and/or every state and/or ethnic group) and the threat of use of source as means of settling international and/or inter-state/communal disputes. To accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war and/or armed conflict potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state/country will not be recognized'

Can people from Greece, Turkey, UK and  Cyprus  follow this example or do we they/we all need 50 more years of war, division, and disillusioned pseudo-patriotic fairytales to evolve from the fear-based primitive attitudes, structures and realities?

A field trip in Hiroshima can definitely help- even the most extreme macho-nationalist can potentially get perspective- and/or keep them there until they get it! I am more than willing to facilitate such venture and host the wildest of its kind...

Athens, Marathon & Ancient Olympia, Greece June 25-July 5, 2015

Given the increased international interest from a number of humanitarian, educational, sport, NGO practitioners and civil society institutions to promote the use of sport, arts, cultural and educational programs as vehicles to address local and global humanitarian challenges, change agents and agencies are expected to possess skills and competencies that traditional academic programs do not provide. 

To address this largely unmet need, the annual Olympism4Humanity (O4H) Praxis Summer Program provides interdisciplinary and applied professional development opportunities to advance evidence-based policy and programming.

Building on the great success of the first O4H professional training programs that took place in ancient Olympia in Summer 2013 and 2014, the 2015 O4H Praxis Summer Program offers an annual 10-day residential professional development program in Ancient Olympia, Greece. The Praxis Summer program includes participation in the O4H Summit for the first five days.


The O4H Praxis Summer Program is ideally suited to the needs of change and humanitarian agents and agencies, NGO practitioners, students, athletes, Olympians, policy makers, faculty, researchers, program officers and educators. This annual Professional Development program in Ancient Olympia aims to provide the tools and skills for community-based prevention programming and scholarship.

Who is eligible to apply? NGO practitioners, Humanitarian actors, Academics, Researchers, Universities, Teachers of primary, secondary and tertiary education, Government /policy-makers, Corporations, High school and university students, Athletes and Coaches.

Why Olympism and what is unique about O4H?

The goal of Olympism is to build a peaceful and better world – to inspire and motivate the youth of the world (International Olympic Academy’s mission)

Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced way the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education,Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles. (International Olympic Committee’s Charter) 

The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity. (International Olympic Committee’s Charter) 

What is unique about Olympism For Humanity Alliance?


O4H Alliance is unique for many reasons:

• O4H Alliance is the first Olympism global venture that bridges disciplines in theory and practice.
• O4H Alliance is the first inter-disciplinary academic advancement platform that aims to promote integrated applied Olympism teaching, research and community service
• O4H Alliance members design and deliver a strategic action plan, which issupported throughout the year with the mentorship and support of prominent world leading experts and agencies.
• O4H Alliance members engage in cause-oriented, youth-led, project-based endeavors that are grounded in the foundation of the Olympic Spirit.
• OH Alliance has established the first Sport for Development and Peace and Applied Olympism Summit and Summer Program solely focusing on the application of the Olympic values as a tool for social change.
• O4H Alliance curriculum and principles are grounded in the first sound applied Olympism and sport for development and peace scientific research, tested theory and evidence from the field.
• O4H Alliance builds cause-oriented bridges with change agents and agencies regardless of age, gender, educational, ethic or socio-economic background.

The 2015 O4H Praxis Summer Program (June 25th-July 5th, 2015), provides extensive training on applied skills and competencies related to: 

(a) Humanitarian applied Olympic Education and Olympism in Action foundations

(b) Prevention and evidence-based program design and delivery

(c) Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and impact assessment

(d) Non-profit and special event management

(e) Fundraising strategies and grant proposal writing

(f) Curriculum development for formal and non-formal educational systems (e.g., community and after school programs, primary, secondary, and tertiary education)

(h) Olympic and Paralympic Games, Marathon & Mega Events Legacies.


After our very successful Programs in 2013 & 2014, we are returning to implement our annual professional development program in ancient Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. 

The 2015 O4H Praxis Summer Program will accept applications from highly motivated and committed individuals who are interested in this emerging field.


Click here to download the 2015 O4H Praxis Summer Program e-brochure.

Be part of history- make your first steps towards your O4H legacy and light up your O4H torch by submitting your application here.