View source for Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute

{{Infobox organization
|name           = Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute
|image          = CNTI BlueLogoHR.jpg
|image_border   = 
|size           = 200px
|alt            = 
|caption        = 
|map            = 
|msize          = 
|malt           = 
|mcaption       = 
|abbreviation   = 
|motto          = 
|formation      = 1991
|extinction     = 
|type           = Research Institute
|status         = 
|purpose        = 
|headquarters   = 
|location       = Nicosia, Cyprus
|region_served  = 
|membership     = 
|language       = 
|leader_title   = President
|leader_name    = [[Yiannis Laouris]]
|main_organ     = [[Members of the Board|Board of Directors]]
|parent_organization = 
|affiliations   = [[Institute for 21st Century Agoras]]
|num_staff      = 20
|num_volunteers = >50
|budget         = 1,000,000 Euro annually
|website        = http://www.cnti.org.cy
|remarks        = 
}}

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 [[Chrysostomos Sofianos|Dr. Chrysostomos Sofianos]], District School Inspector [[Chris Laouris|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 G. Stuart|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<ref>http://ktk2011.wordpress.com/ Innovation-Technology-Social Progress Website (In Greek)</ref>.” 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<ref>http://www.cyberethics.info Cyprus’ Safer Internet Center</ref>, Cyprus’ Safer Internet Center, which includes a [[SafenetCY - Island-wide Safer Internet Hotline in Cyprus|Hotline]]<ref>http://www.cyberethics.info/cyethics2/page.php?pageID=15 Cyprus’ Safer Internet Hotline</ref> and a [[Cyprus Safer Internet Helpline|Helpline]]<ref>http://www.helpline.cyberethics.info Cyprus’ Safer Internet Helpline</ref>. CNTI has also founded the [[Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture]].

===Actor for regional peace===
CNTI pioneered with a number of projects in the promotion of peace and reconciliation in Cyprus. The [[Technology for Peace]]<ref> http://www.tech4peace.org Tech4Peace</ref> initiative in 1997 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 [[Youth Promoting Peace]], [[Civil Society Dialogue Project in Cyprus|Civil Society Dialogue project in Cyprus|Civil Society Dialogue]], the [[Act Beyond Borders]]<ref>http://ActBeyondBorders.net Act Beyond Borders</ref>, [[Reconciliation Now!]], [[Young Journalists Project]], and Everybody's song <ref>http://www.everybodys-song.net Everybody's song</ref>

===Representing Cyprus world-wide===
CNTI scientists represent Cyprus in a many European and international networks such as:
*  COST 276<ref> COST 276 Knowledge Management</ref>
* COST 219ter <ref> COST 219ter Accessibility for All to services and terminals for next generation mobile networks</ref>
* COST 298<ref>COST 298 Participation in the Broadband society</ref>
* COST 2102<ref>Cross-Modal Analysis of Verbal and Non-verbal Communication</ref>
* [[Insafe]]
* Inhope<ref>http://www.inhope.org Inhope</ref>
* EDEAN<ref>http://www.edean.org EDEAN</ref>etc.

===Infographic with key points===
[[File: Vis_card_FWC_20162507_WEB.jpg|1024px]]

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:
{{#categorytree:CNTI Awards|mode="all" |hideroot=on|mode=pages|style=bold}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.cnti.org.cy/ Official website]


[[Category:Neuroscience research centers]]
[[Category:Research institutes]]
[[Category:Non-governmental organizations based in Cyprus]]
[[Category:Systems science institutes]]
[[Category:Peace organizations]]