AR 2014/President Statement: Difference between revisions

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==President Statement==
==President Statement==


2014 was a year of intensive developments for [[Future Worlds Center]]. Having another year of transformation, expansion and success, Future Worlds Center consolidated its activities on national, European and international levels and successfully implemented numerous projects in collaboration with its growing [[List of partner organizations|network of partners]], striving towards the [[Future Worlds Center Vision and Mission|Future Worlds Center Vision]] to “operate at the interface of science & society” by using technology to promote social justice, development and peace. Four new contracts with value of over 1,4 million euro was the total operational cost.
2014 was a year of intensive developments for [[Future Worlds Center]]. It was another year of internal transformation, expansion and success. Future Worlds Center successfully implemented many projects in collaboration with its growing [[List of partner organizations|network of partners]], striving towards the [[Future Worlds Center Vision and Mission|Future Worlds Center Vision]] to “operate at the interface of science & society” by using technology to promote social justice, development and peace. Every Unit has been successful in securing  3 or more new contracts with total value exceeding 3 million euros.


The [[New Media Lab]] had some major successes. It secured two new contracts in [[Cyber Crime]]: The [[Cyprus Cyber Crime Center of Excellence for Training, Research and Education]] with partners the [[OCECPR]], the [[European University Cyprus]], [[ADITESS]] and the [[Office for Combating Cybercrime (OCC)]], and the [[Engaging Users in Preventing and Fighting Cyber Crime - UINFC2]] led by the [[Center for Security Studies (KEMEA)]] in Greece and including
2014 was also a year of many audits. The Financial Unit has been  overloaded with work in completing more than 10 new audits. All audits have been successful resulting in virtually zero ineligible amounts for [[Future Worlds Center]]. Unfortunately, some expenses of partners were found ineligible. The difficulty in recovering them, especially in cases where audits were for projects that took place 5-6 years ago and/or the partner is not loner in operation, results in some losses.
the [[University of Piraeus]], [[ADITESS]], [[Mezza Group]], and [[CENTRIC].


The [[New Media Lab]] had major successes in 2014. It secured two new contracts in [[Cyber Crime]]: The [[Cyprus Cyber Crime Center of Excellence for Training, Research and Education]] with partners the [[OCECPR - Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation]], the [[European University Cyprus]], [[ADITESS]] and the [[Office for Combating Cybercrime (OCC)]], and the [[Engaging Users in Preventing and Fighting Cyber Crime - UINFC2]] led by the [[Center for Security Studies (KEMEA)]] in Greece and including the [[University of Piraeus]], [[ADITESS]], [[Mezza Group]], and [[CENTRIC]]. The fact that [[Future Worlds Center]] won 2 out of a very small pan-European Cyber Crime grants is a sign of excellence. The participation of  [[OCECPR - Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation| OCECPR]] is notable, as well as the engagement of [[EUROPOL]], many policy and Hotlines' representatives in the [[UINFC2 Requirements Workshop 10 Dec 2014|The Requirements Workshop]]. The  [[New Media Lab]] has also won [[SENIOR-TV]], an [[Ambient Assisted Living]] project with a score of 5 out of 5, an exceptionally rare circumstance. Finally, it continues its island-wide safer Internet campaign, [[Cyberethics: Cyprus Safer Internet Center|CyberEthics]], engaging schools, media and all local authorities. During 2014, many governmental agencies have been engaged in the process of establishing a more permanent facility for the campaign.


Partners include its island-wide safer Internet campaign, [[Cyberethics: Cyprus Safer Internet Center|CyberEthics]], engaging schools, media and all local authorities. It operated a [[CyberEthics GIII: Island-wide combined Safer Internet Awareness Node, Hotline, Helpline|Hotline]] to receive and investigate reports of illegal or disturbing content on the Internet and a Helpline where children can report disturbing Internet sites. Our participation in [[EU Kids Online]] network gave us the possibility to play a role within Europe in the area of research that concerns the safer use of the Internet. In addition to the existing projects, the New Media Unit has also launched a number of research projects and social initiatives having earned among them an LLP project focusing on e-Inclusion. Finally, a number of projects develop new approaches of integrating broadband technologies in education and examine the effectiveness of animations and visualizations in learning.
The [[Futures Design Unit]] has organzied the first activity of [[N.E.T.S. Mediterranean Graduate School of Applied Social Cognition|NETS]] and has also launched negotiations with the [[United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF)|United Nations Democracy Fund]] for a [[Reinventing Democracy in the Digital Era]] global project.


We continued to provide services to asylum seekers and refuges through [[Strengthening Asylum for Refugees And Asylum Seekers in Cyprus, 2014|Strengthening Asylum for Refugees And Asylum Seekers in Cyprus]] and operated the [[Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture]]. The Development Education Unit continues to run[[ Civil Society Acts Beyond Borders]].  This project takes place among Israeli and Palestinian citizens and aims to strengthen civil society using some of the methods that have proven most effective here in Cyprus as means towards peace.  Furthermore, the unit has continued its projects promoting Development Education and the Millennium Development Goals. We have established close ties with a number of schools and teachers across the island, supporting the teachers in exploring and implementing the concept of Global Education. Our vision is for the introspective Cypriot society to evolve into a community of people that look towards the future of the planet with confidence and responsibility. We aspire to see Cyprus looking beyond its own political horizon and local problems, pioneering in international development programs hence fulfilling its geo-political destiny to serve as a crossroad of civilizations.  
The [[Humanitarian Affairs Unit]] has been the one that has grown the most. With more than 13 full time people, it is not considered as the most important national player in supporting refugees from all over but also especially from Syria. It has continued to provide services to asylum seekers and refuges through [[Strengthening Asylum for Refugees And Asylum Seekers in Cyprus, 2014|Strengthening Asylum for Refugees And Asylum Seekers in Cyprus]] and operated the [[Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture]]. The [[Humanitarian Affairs Unit]] is now implementing additional projects, including [[Improvement of the Situation of Asylum Seekers in Cyprus]] and [[Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) V]].
 
The [[Global Education Unit]] has closed the [[ Civil Society Acts Beyond Borders]] and launched new projects: [[Youth of the world!]]; [[The World From Our Doorstep]]. It has also won two new contracts each of values over 1 m euros: [[Map Your Meal]] and [[Fair Super Brands]].


I invite you to read our Annual Report and come back to us with suggestions and ideas.  This short introduction could not cover all our projects, which are described in more detail in the following pages. We are proud to have you as a friend and affiliate and we look forward to strengthening our relations, communication and collaboration within our network and with new partners.
I invite you to read our Annual Report and come back to us with suggestions and ideas.  This short introduction could not cover all our projects, which are described in more detail in the following pages. We are proud to have you as a friend and affiliate and we look forward to strengthening our relations, communication and collaboration within our network and with new partners.
[[Category:AR Sections]]

Latest revision as of 02:31, 25 April 2018

President Statement

2014 was a year of intensive developments for Future Worlds Center. It was another year of internal transformation, expansion and success. Future Worlds Center successfully implemented many projects in collaboration with its growing network of partners, striving towards the Future Worlds Center Vision to “operate at the interface of science & society” by using technology to promote social justice, development and peace. Every Unit has been successful in securing 3 or more new contracts with total value exceeding 3 million euros.

2014 was also a year of many audits. The Financial Unit has been overloaded with work in completing more than 10 new audits. All audits have been successful resulting in virtually zero ineligible amounts for Future Worlds Center. Unfortunately, some expenses of partners were found ineligible. The difficulty in recovering them, especially in cases where audits were for projects that took place 5-6 years ago and/or the partner is not loner in operation, results in some losses.

The New Media Lab had major successes in 2014. It secured two new contracts in Cyber Crime: The Cyprus Cyber Crime Center of Excellence for Training, Research and Education with partners the OCECPR - Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation, the European University Cyprus, ADITESS and the Office for Combating Cybercrime (OCC), and the Engaging Users in Preventing and Fighting Cyber Crime - UINFC2 led by the Center for Security Studies (KEMEA) in Greece and including the University of Piraeus, ADITESS, Mezza Group, and CENTRIC. The fact that Future Worlds Center won 2 out of a very small pan-European Cyber Crime grants is a sign of excellence. The participation of OCECPR is notable, as well as the engagement of EUROPOL, many policy and Hotlines' representatives in the The Requirements Workshop. The New Media Lab has also won SENIOR-TV, an Ambient Assisted Living project with a score of 5 out of 5, an exceptionally rare circumstance. Finally, it continues its island-wide safer Internet campaign, CyberEthics, engaging schools, media and all local authorities. During 2014, many governmental agencies have been engaged in the process of establishing a more permanent facility for the campaign.

The Futures Design Unit has organzied the first activity of NETS and has also launched negotiations with the United Nations Democracy Fund for a Reinventing Democracy in the Digital Era global project.

The Humanitarian Affairs Unit has been the one that has grown the most. With more than 13 full time people, it is not considered as the most important national player in supporting refugees from all over but also especially from Syria. It has continued to provide services to asylum seekers and refuges through Strengthening Asylum for Refugees And Asylum Seekers in Cyprus and operated the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture. The Humanitarian Affairs Unit is now implementing additional projects, including Improvement of the Situation of Asylum Seekers in Cyprus and Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) V.

The Global Education Unit has closed the Civil Society Acts Beyond Borders and launched new projects: Youth of the world!; The World From Our Doorstep. It has also won two new contracts each of values over 1 m euros: Map Your Meal and Fair Super Brands.

I invite you to read our Annual Report and come back to us with suggestions and ideas. This short introduction could not cover all our projects, which are described in more detail in the following pages. We are proud to have you as a friend and affiliate and we look forward to strengthening our relations, communication and collaboration within our network and with new partners.