Future Worlds Center Philosophy: Difference between revisions

==Living in “multiple” worlds==

The Future Worlds Center is an excellent example of an organization that operates in multiple worlds that co-exist. From the point of view of our research activities, many projects focus on the interplay between real and virtual worlds. For example, we are interested on the marriage of the human brain with modern technology and the repercussions for humanity. Our projects focus in the study of virtual worlds, children’s’ behaviours and attitudes, new complex forms of bullying and harassment, the effects on attention, learning and development in general. From the social angle point of view, Future Worlds Center promotes multiculturalism and international development. We implement awareness campaigns and promote humanistic values and concepts such as understanding, tolerance, forgiveness and peaceful co-existence. Specific projects range from supporting vulnerable social groups and awareness actions promoting multicultural values, to international Development Education activities.

==Projects interacting and sharing vision, structure and methods==

At Future Worlds Center projects, operate in concert. They do not only share people, they also share values, aims and methods. The intermingling of people, ideas, practical knowledge and personal skills development are among the major characteristics of the organization that attract visiting scholars, social entrepreneurs and interns from around the world to join. We also exploit technology to work as professionally as possible. Projects have their own websites. Our associates become experts in using professional software for development, design, communications and project management systems, and even in programming. Almost everybody is an expert in structured dialogue. With Prof emeritus Aleco Christakis on Board, Future Worlds Center is an international leader not only in the application of the structured dialogic design process, but also in its continuing scientific expansion. Current focus is on developing theory and tools to enable scale-up to engage up to 1000 people in constructive dialogue that leads to consensus and consequently, large-scale social transformation.

==Distributed sources of income==

Projects may be funded or not. Usually, new Associates negotiate their participation in at least 3 main projects: A primary, a secondary and a minor. In most cases, either the primary or the secondary project is the one that also provides for the “daily living” (i.e., income). Optimally, these two projects are funded, which offers flexibility and stability for the individual. However, Future Worlds keeps money issues separate from projects in which its associates are active. In other words, funding options do not dictate our orientation and activities. This is called the “Tasks-money separation principle.” An easy-to-understand explanation is the following. New Associates are “trusted” funds that others have secured before them. In the realm of practical ethics, they are then expected to “pay back” the “gift” in three different ways:

* “Pay back” the organization by securing new funds to support continuation of activities;