CYBER KIDS Dream

The CYBER KIDS Dream was originally formulated by Yiannis Laouris in 1990, while he was a Research Assistant Professor of Neurophysiology at the University of Arizona, in the US. The dream led to the launch of the CYBER KIDS project which was was a nation-wide experiment launched in 1992 in Cyprus. Yiannis Laouris partnered with George Vakanas and Maria Symeonides who also returned from the US to Cyprus inspired by the CYBER KIDS Dream. The vision was that introducing advanced computer technology in the lives of a critical number of young children using an educationally relevant and socially responsible, peace-enhancing curriculum would allow them to “transcend” the country’s educational and political life and move the new generation a decade ahead. Parents of children K12 embraced the dream and registered their kids to attend the classes offered. Also a significant number of young scientists and visionaries soon joined. By 1999, the number of children in Cyprus alone, who benefited from their curriculum exceeded 15,000, which is approximately equal to 20% of the country’s youth population (ages 6-15). During the same period, the organization trained and employed 186 young and talented university graduates, thus combating brain drain while simultaneously spreading the CYBER KIDS Philosophy in many more spheres of social life.