Future Worlds Center
Encyclopedia
Future Worlds Center is a non-profit, non-Governmental independent organization active in programs with future orientation in areas related to positive social change
, social entrepreneurship
and transformation
.
. In the late 90's, it expanded its operations pioneering in a number of humanitarian, multicultural and peace related projects, . At the end of 2005, with a new Constitution, it evolved into a larger organization with a pure international orientation integrating all humanitarian, peace, and multicultural activities under one umbrella.
initiative in 1997, founded by Yiannis Laouris
and Harry Anastasiou
members of the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group
aimed to capitalize on the proliferation of the Internet as a means to bear the communication barrriers between the northern and the southern parts of divided Cyprus. Other notable peace projects include the Civil Society Dialogue
, the Act Beyond Borders and Everybody's song
within Europe and in Sub-Saharan
countries. It was a founding member of the Cyprus Islandwide Development NGO Platform and the Cyprus Community Media Centre . The Accessing Development Education project has collected teaching materials or guidance books on topics like Development Education, Global citizenship
, Human Rights
, Millennium Development Goals
and many others from across Europe
into one central depository. The Teach MDGs project focuses on increasing awareness and public support for the Millennium Development Goals
by actively engaging teacher training institutes, teachers and pupils in developing local oriented teaching resources promoting the MDGs with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa
and integrate these into the educational systems of countries across Europe.
. Its Humanitarian Affairs Unit implements projects that aim strengthening asylum for refugees and asylum seekers on the island. This Unit has founded the Unit of Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture
.
The organization also runs a number of projects that promote and implement research in the field of safer use of the Internet; Cyberethics, Cyprus’ Safer Internet Center, which includes a Hotline
and a Helpline
.
Social change
Social change refers to an alteration in the social order of a society. It may refer to the notion of social progress or sociocultural evolution, the philosophical idea that society moves forward by dialectical or evolutionary means. It may refer to a paradigmatic change in the socio-economic...
, social entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship
Social entrepreneurship is the work of social entrepreneurs. A social entrepreneur recognizes a social problem and uses entrepreneurial principles to organize, create and manage a venture to achieve social change . While a business entrepreneur typically measures performance in profit and return, a...
and transformation
Social transformation
One definition of Social transformation is the process by which an individual alters the socially ascribed social status of their parents into a socially achieved status for themselves. However another definition refers to large scale social change as in cultural reforms or transformations...
.
Founding history
Future Worlds Center was founded in 1991 as Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology InstituteCyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute
The Cyprus Neuroscience & Technology Institute 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...
. In the late 90's, it expanded its operations pioneering in a number of humanitarian, multicultural and peace related projects, . At the end of 2005, with a new Constitution, it evolved into a larger organization with a pure international orientation integrating all humanitarian, peace, and multicultural activities under one umbrella.
Promoting regional peace
Future Worlds Center pioneers in envisioning, designing and implementing projects that promote the culture of peace and reconciliation in Cyprus, the region and the globe. The Technology for peaceTechnology for peace
Technology for Peace is a Cyprus based peoples' initiative launched in 1995 to serve the needs of peace pioneers on the divided island.-History:The peace portal was born because it was deemed needed. What led to its birth was neither the availability of relevant technology nor the availability of...
initiative in 1997, founded by Yiannis Laouris
Yiannis Laouris
Yiannis Laouris is a social and business entrepreneur. He is a neurophysiologist and systems scientist trained in Germany and the US, who has also become known for his socially responsible work and scientific contributions in the fields of peace and development through the application of modern...
and Harry Anastasiou
Harry Anastasiou
Harry Anastasiou a Cypriot American social and political scientist is a known pioneer in peace-building initiatives in Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East and the European Union.-Biography:Harry Anastasiou is currently Professor and leading core faculty member of Portland State University's...
members of the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group
Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group
The Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group was founded in 1994 by about 30 Cypriot peace pioneers...
aimed to capitalize on the proliferation of the Internet as a means to bear the communication barrriers between the northern and the southern parts of divided Cyprus. Other notable peace projects include the Civil Society Dialogue
Civil Society Dialogue project in Cyprus
The Civil Society Dialogue Project in Cyprus follows the negative outcome of the referendum in Cyprus for the re-unification of the island , which took place on the 24th of April 2004. A number of Cypriot peace pioneers launched the Civil Society Dialogue Project aiming to provide opportunities for...
, the Act Beyond Borders and Everybody's song
Active promoter of the MDGs
Future Worlds Center is leading a number of pan-European efforts, which aim to promote the Millennium Development GoalsMillennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
within Europe and in Sub-Saharan
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
countries. It was a founding member of the Cyprus Islandwide Development NGO Platform and the Cyprus Community Media Centre . The Accessing Development Education project has collected teaching materials or guidance books on topics like Development Education, Global citizenship
Global citizenship
Global citizenship applies the whole world to bring world peace and the concept of citizenship to a global level and is strongly connected with the concepts of globalization and cosmopolitanism. World citizenship is a term which can be distinguished from global citizenship, although some may merge...
, Human Rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, Millennium Development Goals
Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
and many others from across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
into one central depository. The Teach MDGs project focuses on increasing awareness and public support for the Millennium Development Goals
Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
by actively engaging teacher training institutes, teachers and pupils in developing local oriented teaching resources promoting the MDGs with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
and integrate these into the educational systems of countries across Europe.
Supporting vulnerable groups
Future Worlds Center is the implementing organization of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in CyprusUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Cyprus
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Cyprus is an office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees opened in August 1974 upon the request of the Government of Cyprus and the Secretary-General of the United Nations...
. Its Humanitarian Affairs Unit implements projects that aim strengthening asylum for refugees and asylum seekers on the island. This Unit has founded the Unit of Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture
Unit of Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture
The Unit of Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture has operated in Cyprus since 2005.The funding for the establishment of the URVT came originally from the European Council decision to establish the European Refugee Fund II for 2005–2010...
.
The organization also runs a number of projects that promote and implement research in the field of safer use of the Internet; Cyberethics, Cyprus’ Safer Internet Center, which includes a Hotline
Cyprus Safer Internet Hotline
- Basic Information :The Cyprus Safer Internet Hotline is a service provided by the Cyprus Safer Internet Center project, coordinated by the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute . The Hotline promotes the safe use of the Internet in Cyprus...
and a Helpline
Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline
- Basic Information :The Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline is a service provided by the Cyprus Safer Internet Center project, coordinated by the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute . The Helpline ensures that children and adolescents but also adults have the opportunity of conversing with...
.
Notable Awards
- The Hellenic Society for Systemic Studies Medal in 2007 to Aleco ChristakisAlexander ChristakisAlexander Christakis is a Greek American social scientist, systems scientist and cyberneticist, former faculty member of several Universities, organizational consultant and member of the Club of Rome, known for his "study and design of social systems".- Biography :Christakis came to the United...
for his role in founding the science of Structured dialogic design. - The Hellenic Society for Systemic Studies Award in 2008 to Yiannis LaourisYiannis LaourisYiannis Laouris is a social and business entrepreneur. He is a neurophysiologist and systems scientist trained in Germany and the US, who has also become known for his socially responsible work and scientific contributions in the fields of peace and development through the application of modern...
for his peace work within Future Worlds Center. - Cyprus civil society award in the category of social inclusionCyprus civil society awardsThe Cyprus civil society awards were established in 2008 as part of a United Nations funded project aiming to strengthen the role of civil society in Cyprus...
in 2008. - The 2011 Euro-Med Award for the Dialogue between Cultures Honorable Mention -ranked 2nd- for Future Worlds Center and Aleco ChristakisAlexander ChristakisAlexander Christakis is a Greek American social scientist, systems scientist and cyberneticist, former faculty member of several Universities, organizational consultant and member of the Club of Rome, known for his "study and design of social systems".- Biography :Christakis came to the United...
, Yiannis LaourisYiannis LaourisYiannis Laouris is a social and business entrepreneur. He is a neurophysiologist and systems scientist trained in Germany and the US, who has also become known for his socially responsible work and scientific contributions in the fields of peace and development through the application of modern...
, Harry AnastasiouHarry AnastasiouHarry Anastasiou a Cypriot American social and political scientist is a known pioneer in peace-building initiatives in Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East and the European Union.-Biography:Harry Anastasiou is currently Professor and leading core faculty member of Portland State University's...
, Kerstin Wittig and Romina Laouri.