Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute
The Cyprus Neuroscience & Technology Institute (CNTI) is a non-profit, non-Governmental independent organization active in programs with future orientation in areas related to human brain-modern technology-social transformation and the repercussions of relevant research for humanity.
Founding history
The Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute was founded through the initiatives of Yiannis Laouris and a team of repatriated Cypriot scientists with the support of ex-Minister of Education and Culture Dr. Chrysostomos Sofianos, District School Inspector Dr. Chris Laouris, the Bishop of Paphos Chrysostomos (now Archbishop of Cyprus) and three prominent foreign academics Prof. Dr. Sc. Med. Peter Schwartze (Germany), Prof. Dr. Med. Habil. Uwe Windhorst (Germany/Canada), and Regents Prof. Douglas Stuart (USA). It was registered on the 6th of November 1991 and launched its activities in 1993. Between 1994 and 1999 it expanded its operations hosting a number of peace related projects. It was re-structured in year 2000 modifying its original Constitution to embrace projects aiming in the development of an active civil society in Cyprus, as well as projects with international scope, especially those that involve the application of technology towards bridging the literacy, economic and digital divides (Development and IT Education). At the end of 2005 it evolved into a larger organization with a pure international orientation integrating all its activities under one umbrella and a new name, Future Worlds Center.
Notable Operations
Promoting innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
CNTI is credited for the development of the [[Cyber Kids Curriculum.
CNTI launched in 1993 an innovation fair under the running title “Innovation-Technology-Social Progress Fair[1].” The Ministries of Commerce & Industry, Education & Culture, as well as Labour & Social Insurance, were collectively engaged in order to signify the economic, academic and job-creating facets of promoting innovation. The Fair was mainly supported by the Cyprus Development Bank,the Bank of Cyprus and CYBER KIDS.
RTD for children and vulnerable groups
Many of CNTI’s projects aimed the exploration of childrens’ and special needs individuals’ attitudes towards and interactions with information technologies. In 2005, CNTI launched a number of projects that promote and implement research in the field of safer use of the Internet; Cyberethics[2], Cyprus’ Safer Internet Center, which includes a Hotline[3] and a Helpline[4]. CNTI has also founded the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture.
Infographic with key points
File:Vis card FWC 20162507 WEB.jpg
The key messages include the following facts:
- CNTI envisions, designs and implements its own projects (>75%) in contrast to joining as partner
- It puts great value in combating brain drain (through the creation of entrepreneurial jobs)
- It does not specialise in domains but in principle: entrepreneurial/sociotechnical methods aiming to transform our worlds
- Its funds are almost exclusively (95%) coming from abroad (a slight critic towards the Cyprus establishment for the lack of tangible support towards such initiatives)
Awards
CNTI and several of its members have been honored with many prestigious awards. See the complete list at:
References
- ↑ http://ktk2011.wordpress.com/ Innovation-Technology-Social Progress Website (In Greek)
- ↑ http://www.cyberethics.info Cyprus’ Safer Internet Center
- ↑ http://www.cyberethics.info/cyethics2/page.php?pageID=15 Cyprus’ Safer Internet Hotline
- ↑ http://www.helpline.cyberethics.info Cyprus’ Safer Internet Helpline