Monday 28 November 2011

The modern way of learning a foreign language through your mobile phone

For more information and interviews, please contact Emily Efthivoulou: emily@futureworldscenter.org or +357 22 873 820

MobLang – The modern way of learning a foreign language through your mobile phone

MobLang aims to teach basic conversation language skills using mobile phones. MobLang has received extensive media coverage from local Basque mass media following its official launching in the Basque Country of Spain. The project also launched in Greece, Northern Ireland and Cyprus.

MobLang Partners met in San Sebastian in the Basque country in Spain on the 14-18th October 2011 for the conference ‘Mobile learning as the future of education’. The conference was a huge success that was opened by the Minister of Education of the Basque country and was attended by more than 100 people.

MobLang stands for Mobile Language learning and the core idea is to support people in conflict zones to learn the language of each others’ community. These scientifically validated multimedia courses have been developed by the Language Center of the University of Cyprus and software has been developed for mobile phones running Java. Each course consists of essential vocabulary, phrases, dialogues, and exercises which are reinforced with sound and images

The courses are free of charge and are available for Greek speakers to learn Turkish, Turkish speakers to learn Greek, Greek speakers to learn Albanian, and Spanish speakers to learn Basque. Special versions are also available for Greek speaking nurses to learn Turkish and finally for English speaking children to learn Gaelic.

MobLang promotes intercultural dialogue, especially in former European conflict regions or regions with many minority groups, through promotion of linguistic diversity. Due to language barriers between individuals of different ethnic groups living in the same country, or Europeans visiting other countries for business or pleasure, natural interaction is hindered.

Communication in a foreign language can hold back the development of friendships and closer relationships, thus preventing fruitful intercultural exchange and dialogue. Basic language knowledge of one’s conversational partner is usually appreciated and creates a comforting atmosphere. Today’s Europeans are too busy to attend language classes. Exploiting technology and especially the recently emerging developments as far as mobile learning is concerned could offer a viable alternative. Mobile phones are the optimal learning tools that could enable people to learn anytime, anywhere, and at their own pace.

Friday 18 November 2011

Short-film “In the name of the Father” wins online competition on the MDGs

The short film “In the name of the father”, is the winner of the online short film competition that has taken place from 7th to 17th November in the framework of the EU-funded project ‘MDGs-Media for Development Goals’, organized by Future Worlds Center( leg. reg. Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute).

The short film has been created by four students of Olympion High School in Paliometocho,- namely Stelios Stylianou, Marilena Odysseos, Lucia Poyiadji, and Virginia Mitsi- under the supervision of the media trainer Ivan Charalambous and their teacher Maria Papoula.

The film ranked first, by gathering 2476 points, among 10 student videos available for online voting during competition.

The thematic of the film focuses on the issue of gender discrimination in the family context, and seeks to uncover the gender dimension of family violence in a vivid and powerful way. In this way, the film aims to raise awareness about MDG 3 and the global responsibility to promote Gender Equality.

To watch the video click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrdn9HcoXKk

All 10 student videos that have taken part in the competition seek to raise awareness about the MDGs by focusing on hot issues of Migration, Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability, Global Trade and Active Citizenship as they are experienced in Cyprus.

The films form part of a media campaign aiming at stirring people’s thinking about global issues and the MDGs in the framework of the EU-funded project ‘MDGs-Media for Development Goals’. To learn more about the campaign watch the videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVX-dfttUuU, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOMHP0oS1Dk&feature=related

Results can be seen at http://ekkotek.com/national-competition/

For more information about the competition and the project please contact project coordinator at nicolina.markidou@gmail.com or call 22-873820. You can also visit the project website http://youth4world.com/

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Online short- film competition finishes tomorrow 17th November at 5:00 p.m.

The online film competition that has been running since 7th November finishes tomorrow 17th November at 5:00 p.m.

Today 16th and tomorrow 17th November, you can visit the platform http://ekkotek.com/national-competition/ and vote for the best videos!

The films focus on the hot issues of Migration, Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability, Global Trade and Active Citizenship as they are experienced in Cyprus. They aim to stir people’s thinking around these issues and the challenges that they pose.

The short movies have been created by 25 students from 4 secondary schools in Cyprus, in the framework of the EU-funded project ‘MDGs-Media for Development Goals. Participating schools are: Olympion Highschool in Paliometocho, Ayios Ioannis Lyceum in Limassol, International School of Paphos and American Academy, Nicosia.

For more information about the competition and the project please contact project coordinator at nicolina.markidou@gmail.com or call 22-873820. You can also visit the project website http://youth4world.com/

Αύριο 17 Νοεμβρίου τελευταία μέρα για το διαγωνισμό ταινιών μικρού μήκους!

Ο διαδικτυακός διαγωνισμός ταινιών μικρού μήκους λήγει αύριο 17 Νοεμβρίου στις 5 το απόγευμα.

Επισκεφτείτε σήμερα 16 και αύριο 17 Νοεμβρίου την πλατφόρμα http://ekkotek.com/national-competition/ και ψηφίστε τα καλύτερα βίντεο!

Τα βίντεο περιστρέφονται γύρω από σημαντικά παγκόσμια ζητήματα όπως η Μετανάστευση, η Ισότητα των φύλων, η Περιβαλλοντική αειφορία, το Παγκόσμιο Εμπόριο, η Ενεργή Πολιτότητα και διερευνούν τον τρόπο με τον οποίο τα ζητήματα αυτά εκδηλώνονται στην κυπριακή κοινωνία. Στόχος είναι η ανακίνηση της συζήτησης γύρω από αυτά τα ζητήματα και τις προκλήσεις που παρουσιάζουν.


Οι μικρές αυτές ταινίες έχουν δημιουργηθεί από 25 μαθητές 4 Λυκείων της Κύπρου, στα πλαίσια του προγράμματος MDGs-Media for Development Goals, το οποίο χρηματοδοτείται από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Τα συμμετέχοντα σχολεία είναι: Το Γυμνάσιο-Λύκειο Ολύμπιον στο Παλιομέτοχο, το Λύκειο Αγίου Ιωάννη στη Λεμεσό, το International School of Paphos και το American Academy, στη Λευκωσία.

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες σχετικά με το διαγωνισμό και το πρόγραμμα, μπορείτε να επικοινωνήσετε με την υπεύθυνη του προγράμματος στο nicolina.markidou@gmail.com ή να καλείτε στο 22-873820. Μπορείτε επίσης να επισκεφτείτε την ιστοσελίδα του προγράμματος http://youth4world.com/

Friday 11 November 2011

Online film competition voting still active!

The online film competition started 7th November and until the 17th, you will have the opportunity to watch 10 short films on the Millennium Development Goals, and vote for the ones you consider the best!

The videos have been created by students of 4 secondary schools in Cyprus, in the framework of the EU-funded project “MDGs- Media for Development Goals”.

Take your time to watch the movies on http://ekkotek.com/national-competition/ and then follow the instructions to vote for your favorite ones.
To get a preview, watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M76RBRMjkfU

Tuesday 8 November 2011

‘Discover the digital world together, safely!’


The Cyprus Safer Internet Center (Cyberethics) in collaboration with World Vision International, would like to announce this year’s Safer Internet Conference with the Safer Internet Day 2012 theme ‘Discover the digital world together, safely!’ on the 17th of November 2011, at 09:30-12:30 am, at the European University of Cyprus.

The conference will be given in English and speakers/experts from Cyprus and World Vision collaborating offices from (Georgia, Armenia, Lebanon, Jerusalem/West Bank/Gaza) will present current trends and news from each country related with Internet safety and the technological gap that exists between generations.

The conference will be under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Culture and Mr. Vartkes Mahdessian, MP Representative for the Armenian community in Cyprus will do the welcoming speech.

For more information and interviews, please contact Georgina Siitta Achilleos or Anna Maria Drousiotou (CyberEthics) georgina@cnti.org.cy, annamaria@cnti.org.cy or at 22873820 Or Mandy Yamanis (World Vision) mandy_yamanis@wvi.org or at 22870277.

Some words about the organizers:

Cyberethics: The Cyprus Safer Internet Centre, Cyberethics has been active in Cyprus since 2006. The Center is a consortium made of five partners which are Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute (Coordinator), Ministry of Education and Culture – Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, CYTA – Cyprus Telecommunication Authority, The Olive Branch Foundation and the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The Center serves as an Awareness Node along with its Hotline and the Helpline. The centre undertakes various awareness raising activities along with the Hotline and Helpline services it provides. Through out aforementioned Cyberethics project Cyprus Safer Internet Centre, its partners, associated partners and advisory board have generated a widespread network across Europe on Internet Safety issues. Therefore, the Centre can serve as a link between counties other than the EU and the European Union for the good information flow amongst each other mainly on best practices in individual countries.

World Vision: World Vision is a child focused humanitarian organization that is governed as an international partnership. Inspired by our Christian values, World Vision is currently serving the world’s most vulnerable people in nearly 100 countries through programs related to humanitarian emergency relief, community development, and advocacy. As a child focused organization, World Vision aims to protect all children and their caregivers from abuse and exploitation when using the internet, mobiles and other technologies. The Keeping Children Safe Online project sets a precedence for grassroots education around cyber safety and provides a skill set for successful and fun social media use. The project is expanding further in, Armenia, Georgia, Lebanon and Jerusalem West Bank Gaza with a future aim to involve all World Vision National Offices throughout the globe.

The program is co-funded by the European Commission.

Monday 7 November 2011

Ο διαδικτυακός διαγωνισμός ταινιών μικρού μήκους ξεκινάει σήμερα 7 Νοεμβρίου!

Ο διαδικτυακός διαγωνισμός ταινιών μικρού μήκους ξεκινάει σήμερα 7 Νοεμβρίου!

Από σήμερα 7 Νοεμβρίου και μέχρι τις 17 Νοεμβρίου θα έχετε την ευκαιρία να παρακολουθήσετε 10 φιλμ μικρού μήκους, γύρω από τους Αναπτυξιακούς Στόχους της Χιλιετίας και να ψηφίσετε αυτά που θεωρείτε καλύτερα.

Τα φιλμ δημιουργήθηκαν από μαθητές 4 Λυκείων της Κύπρου στα πλαίσια του προγράμματος MDGs-Media for Development Goals.

Παρακολουθήστε τα φιλμ στην πλατφόρμα http://ekkotek.com/national-competition/ και στη συνέχεια ακολουθήστε τις οδηγίες για να ψηφίσετε τα αγαπημένα σας.

Για να πάρετε μία πρώτη γεύση παρακολουθήστε το φιλμάκι http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl8q9dvs70c

Καλή θέαση!!

Online film competition starts today 7th November!

The online film competition starts today 7th November!

From today 7th November until the 17th, you will have the opportunity to watch 10 short films on the Millennium Development Goals, and vote for the ones you consider the best!

The videos have been created by students of 4 secondary schools in Cyprus, in the framework of the EU-funded project “MDGs- Media for Development Goals”.

Take your time to watch the movies on http://ekkotek.com/national-competition/ ,and then follow the instructions to vote for your favorite ones.
To get a preview, watch the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M76RBRMjkfU

Enjoy watching the videos!!

Friday 4 November 2011

MDGs –MEDIA FOR DEVELOPMENT GOALS Online short- film competition starts this Monday 7th November

MDGs –MEDIA FOR DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Online short- film competition starts this Monday 7th November

Nicosia, 4/11/2011: The online film competition announced recently by non-governmental organization Future Worlds Center (leg. Reg. Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute), starts this Monday 7th November!

From 7th to 17th November, the public will have the opportunity to watch 10 short films on the Millennium Development Goals, and vote for the ones they consider to be the best.

The films revolve around the hot issues of Migration, Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability, Global Trade and Active Citizenship as they are experienced in Cyprus. They aim to stir people’s thinking around these issues and the challenges that they pose.

The short movies have been created by 25 students from 4 secondary schools in Cyprus, in the framework of the EU-funded project ‘MDGs-Media for Development Goals. Participating schools are: Olympion Highschool in Paliometocho, Ayios Ioannis Lyceum in Limassol, International School of Paphos and American Academy, Nicosia.

Take the chance to visit www.fwcis.blogspot.com or http://youth4world.com/ on Monday 7th November and find out how you can access the competition platform, watch the films, and vote for your favourite videos!

You can also visit:
For more information about the competition and the project please contact project coordinator at nicolina.markidou@gmail.com or call 22-873820. You can also visit the Facebook page:

MDGs-Media for Development Goals-Cyprus

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MDGs-Media-for-Development-Goals-Cyprus/213554818716148?sk=photos#!/pages/MDGs-Media-for-Development-Goals-Cyprus/213554818716148

Ξεκινά τη Δευτέρα 7 Νοεμβρίου διαδικτυακός διαγωνισμός μικρών ταινιών


Ο διαδικτυακός διαγωνισμός μικρών ταινιών τον οποίο έχει ανακοινώσει πρόσφατα ο οργανισμός Future Worlds ξεκινά αυτή τη Δευτέρα 7 Νοεμβρίου 2011.

Από τις 7 μέχρι τις 17 Νοεμβρίου θα έχετε την ευκαιρία να παρακολουθήσετε 10 μικρά φιλμ γύρω από τους Αναπτυξιακούς Στόχους της Χιλιετίας και να ψηφίσετε αυτά που θεωρείτε καλύτερα.

Τα φιλμ περιστρέφονται γύρω από σημαντικά παγκόσμια ζητήματα όπως η Μετανάστευση, η Ισότητα των φύλων, η Περιβαλλοντική αειφορία, το Παγκόσμιο Εμπόριο, η Ενεργή Πολιτότητα και διερευνούν τον τρόπο με τον οποίο τα ζητήματα αυτά εκδηλώνονται στην κυπριακή κοινωνία. Στόχος είναι η ανακίνηση της συζήτησης γύρω από αυτά τα ζητήματα και τις προκλήσεις που παρουσιάζουν.

Οι μικρές αυτές ταινίες έχουν δημιουργηθεί από 25 μαθητές 4 Λυκείων της Κύπρου, στα πλαίσια του προγράμματος MDGs-Media for Development Goals, το οποίο χρηματοδοτείται από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Τα συμμετέχοντα σχολεία είναι: Το Γυμνάσιο-Λύκειο Ολύμπιον στο Παλιομέτοχο, το Λύκειο Αγίου Ιωάννη στη Λεμεσό, το International School of Paphos και το American Academy, στη Λευκωσία.

Επισκεφτείτε μας ξανά τη Δευτέρα 7 Νοεμβρίου και μάθετε πώς μπορείτε να παρακολουθήσετε τα φιλμ καιhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif να ψηφίσετε τα αγαπημένα σας.

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες σχετικά με το διαγωνισμό και το πρόγραμμα, μπορείτε να επικοινωνήσετε με την υπεύθυνη του προγράμματος στο nicolina.markidou@gmail.com ή να καλείτε στο 22-873820. Μπορείτε επίσης να επισκεφτείτε την ιστοσελίδα του προγράμματος http://youth4world.com/

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Online short film competition - starts this Monday 7th November!


The online film competition announced recently by Future Worlds Center, starts this Monday 7th November!

From 7th to 17th November, you will have the opportunity to watch 10 short films on the Millennium Development Goals, and vote for the ones you consider the best!

The films revolve around the hot issues of Migration, Gender Equality, Environmental Sustainability, Global Trade and Active Citizenship as they are experienced in Cyprus.

They aim to stir people’s thinking around these issues and the challenges that they pose.

The short movies have been created by 25 students from 4 secondary schools in Cyprus, in the framework of the EU-funded project ‘MDGs-Media for Development Goals. Participating schools are: Olympion Highschool in Paliometocho, Ayios Ioannis Lyceum in Limassol, International School of Paphos and American Academy, Nicosia.

Take the chance to visit this space on Monday 7th November and find out how you can access the competition platform, watch the movies,and vote for your favourite videos!

For more information about the competition and the project please contact project coordinator at nicolina.markidou@gmail.com or call 22-873820. You can also visit the project website http://youth4world.com/

Wednesday 26 October 2011

ΓΙΑ ΑΜΕΣΗ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΕΥΣΗ - ΔΙΑΓΩΝΙΣΜΟΣ ΜΙΚΡΩΝ ΤΑΙΝΙΩΝ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΖΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΟΠΤΙΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΜΑΘΗΤΩΝ ΓΥΡΩ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΑ ΖΗΤΗΜΑΤΑ


ΓΙΑ ΑΜΕΣΗ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΕΥΣΗ
MDGs –MEDIA FOR DEVELOPMENT GOALS
ΔΙΑΓΩΝΙΣΜΟΣ ΜΙΚΡΩΝ ΤΑΙΝΙΩΝ ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΖΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΟΠΤΙΚΗ ΤΩΝ ΜΑΘΗΤΩΝ ΓΥΡΩ ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΑ ΖΗΤΗΜΑΤΑ
ΛΕΥΚΩΣΊΑ, 20/10/2011: Ο μη κυβερνητικός οργανισμός Future Worlds Center (leg. Reg. Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute) διοργανώνει διαδικτυακό διαγωνισμό μικρών ταινιών από τις 7 μέχρι τις 17 Νοεμβρίου στα πλαίσια του προγράμματος “MDGs-Media for Development Goals” το οποίο χρηματοδοτείται από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Στόχος του διαγωνισμού είναι η προώθηση των παγκόσμιων θεμάτων και των Αναπτυξιακών Στόχων της Χιλιετίας στην Κύπρο. Ο διαγωνισμός παρουσιάζει το αποτέλεσμα της δουλειάς 25 μαθητών από τέσσερα σχολεία Μέσης Εκπαίδευσης στην Κύπρο οι οποίοι δημιούργησαν μικρά φιλμ για τη Μετανάστευση, την Περιβαλλοντική Αειφορία, την Ισότητα των Φύλων , το Παγκόσμιο Εμπόριο και την Ενεργή Πολιτότητα, κατά την περσινή σχολική χρονιά 2010-2011.Η ηλεκτρονική πλατφόρμα του διαγωνισμού θα ανακοινωθεί προσεχώς.

Οι υποψήφιες ταινίες έχουν ετοιμαστεί στα πλαίσια ενός προγράμματος εκπαίδευσης για τα Μέσα Επικοινωνίας το οποίο πραγματοποιήθηκε σε τέσσερα σχολεία Μέσης Εκπαίδευσης στην Κύπρο: Το Γυμνάσιο-Λύκειο Ολύμπιον στο Παλιομέτοχο, το Λύκειο Αγίου Ιωάννη στη Λεμεσό, το International School of Paphos και το American Academy, στη Λευκωσία. Κατά τη διάρκεια του προγράμματος αυτού, οι μαθητές που συμμετείχαν εργάστηκαν υπό την επίβλεψη εθελοντών εκπαιδευτών και παρήγαγαν μιντιακό υλικό που παρουσιάζει με άμεσο τρόπο πώς εκδηλώνονται και εκλαμβάνονται τα πιο πάνω ζητήματα στην Κυπριακή κοινωνία. Στις ταινίες γίνεται προσπάθεια να καταγραφούν πολλαπλές φωνές και οπτικές, ώστε να συμβάλουν σε περαιτέρω προβληματισμό γύρω από αυτά τα θέματα.
Ο διαγωνισμός εντάσσεται στα πλαίσια εκστρατείας ευαισθητοποίησης που πραγματοποιούν οι μαθητές των σχολείων που συμμετέχουν στο πρόγραμμα. Στόχος της εκστρατείας είναι η ανάπτυξη της ευαισθητοποίησης γύρω από παγκόσμια ζητήματα που επηρεάζουν και την κυπριακή κοινωνία όπως η αύξηση των μεταναστευτικών ροών, η εγκαθίδρυση των παγκοσμιοποιημένων αγορών, η παγκόσμια ευθύνη για την περιβαλλοντική αειφορία καθώς και η ανάγκη να προωθηθεί η ισότητα των φύλων. Η εκστρατεία στόχο έχει να ανακινήσει τη συζήτηση γύρω από τα πιο πάνω θέματα στην Κύπρο και να τονίσει την ευθύνη των πολιτών ως προς την ανάληψη τεκμηριωμένης δράσης για την αντιμετώπιση αυτών των προκλήσεων σε τοπικό και παγκόσμιο επίπεδο.

Το 2000, ο Οργανισμός Ηνωμένων Εθνών συγκάλεσε τη Σύνοδο Κορυφής της Χιλιετίας που είχε ως στόχο τη δέσμευση όλων των κρατών για την ανάληψη κοινής προσπάθειας με στόχο την αντιμετώπιση των σημαντικών προκλήσεων του πλανήτη: την Ειρήνη, τα Ανθρώπινα Δικαιώματα , τη Δημοκρατία, την ισχυρή διακυβέρνηση, την Περιβαλλοντική Αειφορία, τη μείωση της Φτώχειας, την Ανθρώπινη Αξιοπρέπεια, την Ισότητα και τη Δικαιοσύνη. Η σύνοδος έληξε με την Διακήρυξη της Χιλιετίας η οποία αποτελούνταν από 8 συγκεκριμένους στόχους και υιοθετήθηκε ομόφωνα από 189 κράτη. Για την πραγμάτωση αυτών των στόχων, η κινητοποίηση των πολιτών και των νέων ανθρώπων κρίνεται ιδιαίτερα σημαντική.

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες σχετικά με το διαγωνισμό και το πρόγραμμα, μπορείτε να επικοινωνήσετε με την υπεύθυνη του προγράμματος στο nicolina.markidou@gmail.com ή να καλείτε στο 22-873820. Μπορείτε επίσης να επισκεφτείτε τις ιστοσελίδες http://youth4world.com/ or www.fwcis.blogspot.com

Monday 24 October 2011

FWC ranks second in prestigious Euro-Med Award for the Dialogue between Cultures


Local Cypriot NGO Future World Center (FWC) ranked second place in the final election
round of the prestigious Euro-Med Award for Dialogue between Cultures and was awarded an Honourable Mention for the highly-esteemed work on intercultural dialogue for the promotion of freedom and citizenship in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The Euro-Med Award for the Dialogue between Cultures is a very prestigious award given by the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue Between Cultures an organization operating in 43 countries having over a 3000 organizational members, founded to honor Anna Lindh for her pioneer work.

The nomination was done by Heiner Benking from PNW, a member of the German Anna-Lindh-Network, and co-founder of the Anna-Lindh-Salon. He based his proposal on the following:

1. The high number of structured democratic dialogues implemented by the organization.
2. Notable projects which promote dialogue, such as Act Beyond Borders, Teach MDGs,
Multicultural Cyprus, Moblang, UCYVROK, Civil Society Dialogue, etc.
3. The world-wide initiatives as well as publications and books by members of its Board Aleco Christakis, Yiannis Laouris, Harry Anastasiou, Kerstin Wittig and Romina Laouri.
4. The (i) Philosophy, (ii) Values, (iii) Good Organization, (iv) Focus on peace, (v) Special focus on vulnerable groups and (vi) The promotion of Cyprus as peripheral center.

Mr. Anthos Shekkeris from the Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs, which acts as the Head of Anna Lindh National Network in Cyprus, stated that it is the first time that a Cypriot NGO enjoys such recognition. The Cyprus network comprises of 45 organizations.

Dr. Yiannis Laouris, Chair of the Board of Future World Center, expressed his gratitude to the thousands of NGOs across the region that trusted their vote to the Cypriot NGO. He asserted that his team will now have to work even harder to meet the expectations. He also expressed hope that more “structured” dialogue engaging people from all walks of life, takes place among all the various societies living in Cyprus.

Wednesday 19 October 2011

COMPETITION FEATURING STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL ISSUES


Future Worlds Center (leg. Reg. Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute) is launching an online short- film competition from 7 -17 November 2011 in the framework of the EU-funded project ‘MDGs-Media for Development Goals’ to further promote global issues and the MDGs in Cyprus.

The competition features the work of 25 students from four secondary schools in Cyprus who created films about Migration, Environmental Sustainability, Gender Equality, Global Trade and Active Citizenship during the school year 2010-2011 as part of the project. Films will be available on an electronic platform which will be shortly announced by the organization.

The films taking part in the competition have been prepared as part of media school program which has taken place in 4 participating secondary schools: Olympion Highschool, Paliometocho, Ayios Ioannis Lyceum in Limassol, International School of Paphos and American Academy, Nicosia. During the school media program, participating students worked under the supervision of volunteer trainers to produce materials which present in a lively way how the above mentioned issues are experienced in Cypriot society. The films strive to capture multiple voices and perspectives as a way of further problematizing these issues.

The competition forms part of a media campaign being implemented by students from Olympion Highschool, Paliometocho, Ayios Ioannis Lyceum in Limassol, International School of Paphos and American Academy, Nicosia. Aim of the campaign is to raise awareness about global issues that are currently influencing Cypriot society such as the rise of migration flow, the establishment of globalized markets, the global responsibility for environmental sustainability, the need to promote gender equality. The campaign seeks to stir discussion about these issues in Cyprus and emphasize citizens’ responsibility of taking informed action to respond to these challenges on local and global level.

In the year 2000, the United Nations convened the so-called Millennium Summit, with the aim of getting all Member States’ commitment towards a global effort addressing the major challenges of our planet, and to strive towards peace, human rights, democracy, strong governance, environmental sustainabilityhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif, poverty reduction and human jdignity, equality and equity. As a result, the summit concluded with a Millennium Declaration, consisting of 8 goals which was unanimously adopted by all 189 countries. In order for these goals to be achieved the mobilization of citizens and young people across the globe is considered crucial.

For more information about the competition and the project please contact project coordinator at nicolina.markidou@gmail.com or call 22-873820. You can also visit http://youth4world.com/

Friday 23 September 2011

FWC hosts Torture Rehabilitation Centers for a Symposium in Nicosia with officials in order to promote European collaboration

"Treatment to vulnerable persons, survivors of torture and other severe violence, needs common EU approach," says Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT)

URVT hosts the Ministry of Interior Asylum Service, UNHCR and Ombudswoman’s Office as well as its European partners from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Romania and France from 09:30 – 13:00 on Wednesday 28 September 2011 at the Classic Hotel for a symposium to discuss ways European Centres for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims can align their methods of operation to better serve vulnerable groups.

The symposium is part of a European Union funded project in which the URVT is a partner representing Cyprus as the only non-governmental organization on the island which deals with victims of torture. The project is entitled “Promotion and dissemination of good practice in addressing specific needs of vulnerable groups - especially victims of torture and human rights violations - based on a transnational in-depth study and evaluation of working and treatment methods”. The project aims to promote European wide collaboration on a common approach and practice among rehabilitation centres.

The main result of the project will be recommendations for the work with most vulnerable groups of refugees including an inventory of care and treatment methods plus methods of staff care to be published and disseminated to all relevant stakeholders across Europe.

Friday 16 September 2011

Mobile Learning as the future of education


The Elhuyar Foundation and CNTI have organised a workshop entitled Mobile Learning: as the future of education. Mobile Learning is a concept that has been making a great impact in recent years. This workshop will be examining the steps forward being made and the new opportunities presenting themselves in this field that is based on mobile phones. So we will be joined by experts from Europe and the Basque Country. In addition to working on the pedagogical perspective and technology, information will be provided on a number of successful projects being run abroad and in the Basque Country.

This seminar is open to anyone interested in teaching and the new technologies.

• Although attendance at the workshop is free of charge, participants are required to register.

Venue: This workshop will be taking place at the Gipuzkoako Bazkundea (Chamber of Commerce of Gipuzkoa), Tolosa hiribidea, 45. Donostia-San Sebastian.

• Workshop languages: Basque and English (a simultaneous interpretation service between these two languages will be available).

Check out the Moblang website for the full programme plus information on the speakers.

For further information please contact tatjana@cnti.org.cy.

Wednesday 24 August 2011

Vacancy - Legal Advisor

The Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute-Future Worlds Center seeks a Legal Advisor.

Under a project implemented by the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute and funded by UNHCR, which offers free legal advice and representation to asylum seekers and refugees.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Advise asylum seekers (including in detention centers) on the asylum

procedure in Cyprus and provide representation during the administrative asylum process.

- Prepare and submit administrative recourses against negative asylum decisions.

- Counsel and provide representation to refugees and asylum seekers on access to their rights.

Required Qualifications

- Law degree (mandatory)

- Prior experience or post graduate qualification in asylum issues and/or administrative law will be considered an advantage.

- Excellent command of both Greek and English languages.

Applications to be submitted by 14 September 2011 to:

futureworldscenter@gmail.com, www.FutureWorldsCenter.org

Thursday 23 June 2011

International Day in Support of Torture Victims

On 26 June the ‘International Day in Support of Torture Victims’ is observed worldwide as a remembrance of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Behaviour which came into force on 26 of June, 1987. The Convention against Torture was established, as an international human rights instrument under the scope of the United Nations, in prevention of torture.

Torture continues to take place in 100 countries worldwide. Thousands of people are tortured, everyday somewhere in the world, while many more are affected indirectly. According to International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) 35% of asylum seekers and refugees worldwide are affected, proving that this is not a trivial problem of a minor group. Torture destroys children, women, men and entire families. It prevents societies from reaching high standards of human, social and economic progress; an unquestionable right for every human being.

More specifically, the consequences for the victims of torture are devastating and reach far beyond the initial pain. The majority of victims suffer from flashbacks, memory loss, severe anxiety and insomnia, all of which are symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Additional to that, the humiliation endured by the victims, during this abnormal and ruthless treatment, often results in feelings of guilt, shame and betrayal towards their loved ones. Moreover, not only individuals suffer, but also local societies are heavily affected in the terrifying realization that basic human rights are not guaranteed nor protected.

In Cyprus, the Unit for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture (URVT) operates under the umbrella of the Humanitarian Affairs Unit of the Cypriot Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Future Worlds Center (FWC). URVT is the only treatment center of its kind in Cyprus. It was established in 2006 and it’s currently funded by the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT). It provides multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation services in the form of social counseling, psychological support and legal advice for the survivors of torture and their families. URVT is also focused in increasing public awareness about torture and making aware that victims of torture are not a far away issue; instead they live among us in Cyprus, trying to heal their wounds.

As former Secretary-General of the UN Kofi Anan noted: ‘This is a day on which we pay our respects to those who have endured the unimaginable. This is an occasion for the world to speak up against the unspeakable. It is long overdue that a day be dedicated to remembering and supporting the many victims and survivors of torture around the world.’ This is a day, in which we call all the individuals, to join us and thousands of people around the world in speaking against and condemn this global crime against humanity, working toward a world without any kind of torture.

‘No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment’ Article 5, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Παγκόσμια Μέρα Προσφύγων 2011

Στις 20 Ιουνίου 2011, τιμούμε την Παγκόσμια Μέρα Προσφύγων. Για εκατομμύρια πρόσφυγες ανά την υφήλιο, αυτή η ημερομηνία σημαίνει ακόμα μία μέρα αναζήτησης στοιχειώδους υλικής, κοινωνικής και νομικής προστασίας. Για όλους εμάς, η μέρα αυτή σημαίνει ένα κάλεσμα για δράση, μια ευκαιρία να επικεντρώσουμε τις δυνάμεις μας για τη βελτίωση της ζωής των βίαια εκτοπισμένων ανθρώπων στην Κύπρο, αλλά και παγκόσμια.

Από το 1951, η Υπάτη Αρμοστεία του Ο.Η.Ε. για τους Πρόσφυγες (UNHCR), εργάζεται αδιάκοπα με σκοπό να προστατεύσει αυτή την ευάλωτη ομάδα πληθυσμού. Η προσπάθεια αυτή πραγματοποιείται με διάφορους τρόπους που αφορούν από τη διασφάλιση της ασφάλειας και προστασίας των προσφύγων μακρυά από βίαιη δίωξη, μέχρι την παροχή βοήθειας σε εκείνους που επιθυμούν να επιστρέψουν σπίτι του. Η Υπάτη Αρμοστεία για τους Πρόσφυγες από τη μέρα δημιουργίας της, έχει προσφέρει βοήθεια σε πάνω απο πενήντα εκατομμύρια ανθρώπους. Σήμερα, συνεχίζει αδιάκοπα να παρέχει τις υπηρεσίες της βοηθώντας έτσι περίπου τριάντα εκατομμύρια ανθρώπους που ανήκουν στην συγκεκριμένη ή σχετικές με αυτή πληθυσμιακές ομάδες σε 110 χώρες να ξανακτίσουν την ζωή τους με αξιοπρέπεια.

Στην Κύπρο το Future World Center (FWC) υλοποιεί το πρόγραμμα «Strengthening Asylum for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Cyprus» το οποίο χρηματοδοτείται από την Υπάτη Αρμοστεία για τους Πρόσφυγες (UNHCR). Το συγκεκριμένο πρόγραμμα προσφέρει κοινωνική και νομική αρωγή σε αιτητές ασύλου και άτομα υπό διεθνή προστασία. Κύριος σκοπός του προγράμματος είναι η διασφάλιση πρόσβασης των επωφελούμενων σε μια δίκαιη και αποτελεσματική διαδικασία παροχής ασύλου, όπως επίσης και η διασφάλιση των δικαιωμάτων τους, λαμβάνοντας υπόψη το εθνικό , ευρωπαϊκό αλλά και διεθνές νομικό σύστημα. Ανάμεσα στους στόχους του προγράμματος, περιλαμβάνονται και η ενημέρωση μέσα στην ίδια την κοινότητα των προσφύγων και αιτητών ασύλου, η προώθηση των δικαιωμάτων τους, αλλά επίσης και η υποστήριξη της ενσωμάτωσής τους στην τοπική κοινωνία. Όπως κάθε χρόνο έτσι και φέτος, το FWC στηρίζει τις εκδηλώσεις που διοργανώνονται από την Υπάτη Αρμοστεία προς τιμήν των πρόσφυγων, αγγαλίαζοντας τις προσπάθειες τους για επιβίωση και ανθρώπινη αξιοπρέπεια. Επ’ ευκαιρίας της Παγκόσμιας Μέρας Προσφύγων, η Υπάτη Αρμοστεία σε συνεργασία με τη ομάδα Pool of Trainers του Oργανισμού Nεολαίας Κύπρου και το Συμβούλιο της Ευρώπης, οργανώνει μια Ζωντανή Βιβλιοθήκη, στις 21 Ιουνίου στο Σπίτι της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, 18:00 – 22:00. προτρέπουμε όλους στην Κύπρο να δώσουν το παρόν τους σε αυτήν την εκδήλωση και να «διαβάσουν» μαζί μας.

Όπως αναφέρει ο Ύπατος Αρμοστής για τους Πρόσφυγες, António Guterres, «Οι πρόσφυγες επιδυκνείουν αξιοζήλευτο κουράγιο και επιμονή προσπαθώντας να ξεπεράσουν τεράστια εμπόδια για να ξανακτίσουν τις ζωές τους. Η αέναη προσπάθεια για διασφάλιση της προστασίας, της οποίας αξίζουν, είναι ένας ευγενής σκοπός επειδή τα δικαιώματα των προσφύγων αποτελούν ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα – και δικαιώματα τα οποία ανήκουν σε όλους.» Αυτή τη μέρα, το Future Worlds Center, καλεί τον καθένα από μας ξεχωριστά να ανταποκριθεί σε αυτό το κάλεσμα και να αναλάβει ρόλο στην προστασία των προσφύγων, εξασφαλίζοντας με αυτόν τον τρόπο αξιοπρέπεια και δικαιοσύνη για όλους.

Friday 17 June 2011

World Refugee Day 2011

On Monday 20 June 2011 we celebrate World Refugee Day. For millions of refugees around the world, the day is another spent in urgent need of basic material, social and legal protection. For the rest of us, the day represents a call to action, an opportunity to focus our efforts on improving the lives of forcibly displaced persons, both here in Cyprus and across the globe.

Since 1951, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been working tirelessly in order to protect this particularly vulnerable group. Such work takes many forms, from ensuring that refugees are secure and safe from violent persecution to providing assistance to those wishing to return to their homes. Over 50 million people have received support from UNHCR since its inception. Today, it continues to provide assistance to refugees and populations of concern, helping some 30 million people in over 110 countries restart their lives with dignity.

In Cyprus, Future Worlds Center (FWC) implements the “Strengthening Asylum for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Cyprus” project which is funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide social and legal assistance to asylum seekers and persons under international protection. Its main objective is to ensure that beneficiaries have access to a fair and efficient asylum procedure and their rights based on national, European and International law. The scope of the project also includes raising awareness within the community on refugee and asylum issues, promoting the increase of rights of this population, as well as supporting and encouraging the integration of refugees into the local society. FWC this year also strongly supports the event organised by UNHCR to honour refugees and embrace their efforts for survival and human dignity. Accordingly, on the occasion of this World Refugee Day, UNHCR and the Pool of Trainers of the Council of Europe is organising a Living Library with Refugees, which will take place on 21 June at the House of the European Union, at 6.00-10.00 p.m. we encourage people in Cyprus to come and 'read' with us.

As the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, has noted “refugees show incredible courage and perseverance in overcoming enormous odds to rebuild their lives. Ensuring that they get the protection they deserve is a noble cause because refugee rights are human rights – and rights that belong to us all”. On World Refugee Day, Future Worlds Center calls on each individual citizen to rise to the challenge of responsibility and play their part in the protection of refugees, guaranteeing dignity and justice for all.

Tuesday 31 May 2011

Moblang now on YouTube


MobLang now has its channel on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/MobLang. Join us, be our friend, and subscribe to watch our latest radio and TV interviews at 'Symviosi kai Diapolitismikotita' radio program at CyBC on 7 May 2011 and 'Biz/Εμείς' TV program at CyBC on 18 May 2011!

Sunday 1 May 2011

Borderstories. Yesterday’s and Today’s Borders. Intercultural trilateral training course in Berlin, Nicosia and Marseille

Perceptions of borders influence our society.

This week 25 young multipliers from Cyprus, France and Germany will are in Nicosia for a week-long seminar held at the Cyprus Community Media Centre to explore the stories of and behind borders through the lens of a photo camera.

The seminar is one of a series of 3 seminars. The first was held in Berlin in September 2010. Nicosia is the host city in May 2011 and the final seminar will take place in Marseille 2012. The cities chosen for this project all represent the contexts of different aspects of borders, lines and walls: Berlin as a symbol for the division and reunification of Germany and Europe; Nicosia as the last divided capital city in Europe; and Marseille, a port and immigration city, as a gateway between Europe and Africa.

This particular seminar in Nicosia aims to build on the experiences of the first seminar in Berlin and will encourage participants to explore parallels and connections between the two cities, the way that walls influence social interactions, urban landscapes and narratives. Participants are encouraged to build on the photographic material created during the seminar in Berlin and take it a step further during the weeklong seminar in Nicosia. Furthermore, the seminar will act as a catalyst for the third seminar in Marseille.

The seminar will conclude with a public photo exhibition on Friday 6th May at 18:00hrs, presenting the work produced by the participants. The exhibition will be part of the larger events around the inauguration of the Home for Cooperation in the Buffer Zone opposite Ledra Palace. Everyone is invited to attend.

The seminar receives funding from the German-French Youth Office and the German Embassy in Cyprus. Sponsors include the Cyprus Tourism Organization..

For more information please visit the seminar’s blog at http://borderstories.tumblr.com/

Monday 11 April 2011

3rd International Facilitators Training School: Structured Dialogic Design (SDD)® Process

3rd International Facilitators Training School: Structured Dialogic Design (SDD)® Process

Future Worlds Center Press Release
For Immediate Release

For more information, please contact Elicia Reed:
elicia@futureworldscenter.org or +357 22 873 820

Revolutionary international facilitation training school focuses on Co-Laboratories of Democracy and the science of Structured Dialogic Design (SDD)®.

Future Worlds Center of Cyprus in collaboration with the Institute for 21st Century Agoras of California, USA are organizing the third International School for Structured Dialogue, a groundbreaking approach to authentic and disciplined dialogue facilitation.

(Nicosia): Cypriot non-governmental organization, Future Worlds Center, and the U.S. based Institute for 21st Century Agoras, invites all who are interested in becoming active Structured Dialogic Design Facilitators and Mediators to learn more about the science of SDD® at the 3rd International Facilitators Training School in Nicosia, Cyprus from 25-27 July 2011.

Structured Dialogic Design (SDD)® is a truly democratic approach to facilitation and mediation where all participants have an equal opportunity to voice their ideas and opinions. The use of the Cogniscope II software helps to structure these ideas, cluster, and map their mutual interdependencies. Further information about this process can be found on the Institute for 21st Century Agoras website http://www.globalagoras.org/.

The training will include theoretical foundations exploration, practical applications, re-discovering the science of structured dialogue, role-playing, lectures, and virtual lectures (webinars). The school intends to offer 3 credits towards the professional certification program.

Instructors include the Father of Structured Dialogic Design, Dr. Alexander N. Christakis, Professor of Informatics at the University of Piraeus, Greece, Nikitas Assimakopoulos, SDD Facilitator Dr. Yiannis Laouris of Future Worlds Center, Author and SDD expert, Thomas Flanagan, Executive Director of the Institute for 21st Century Agoras Kenneth Bausch, and Marios Michaelides, Senior SDD Facilitator from the Cyprus Government’s Academy.

Participation is for anyone who would like to work towards professional certification and anyone interested in learning more about the Co-laboratory of Democracy approach and the science of SDD®. The fee for the school is 350 Euros, which includes the registration fees and certificate, coffee and snacks, all reading materials on CD, two books discussing the theory and practice of the science of dialogue, access to the SDD® International School website for materials, a limited version of the Cogniscope II software, and the Gala dinner.

To register, please visit: http://www.sddp-international.org
To receive a brochure and registration form email elicia@futureworldscenter.org

ENDS

For Reference on SDD®:

Forty years of research, development, and testing, in a variety of complex situations, both in the private and public sectors, have produced the Structured Dialogic Design Process (SDDP) that engages stakeholders in participative democracy through disciplined dialogue. Workshops using SDD are called Co-Laboratories of Democracy because they enable people to harness their collective wisdom and power to construct the future.

Three decades of research have revealed unshakeable human burdens that undermine successful dialogue. The first two types of burdens include well-documented research into (a) human limitations of cognition, and (b) group pathologies (individual, group, and collective). The third burden relates to (c) the current focus of critical theorists, namely: the impact of power relations.

In a larger context, organizations and societies must be responsive to their stakeholders if they are to sustain their viability and vigor. The movement toward “flat hierarchies” in business recognizes the importance of wisdom that a company possesses everywhere in its chain of command. For example, in the context of the postmodern management paradigm, to increase productivity management gurus urge companies to practice varieties of participative democracy by establishing cross-functional teams that share leadership in order to meet the demands of change more efficiently.

The virtues of participative democracy stem from its openness to all kinds of opinions from all kinds of stakeholders. When people and their positions are respectfully listened to in an activity, they are involved. When decisions are made on an equitable basis, people support those decisions and are likely to work for their implementation.

The principal utility of a participative process would be to enable people to participate in finding solutions to complex problems affecting the quality of their lives independent of their discipline, experience, or educational background. It also would lead to cooperation with the other stakeholders of a particular situation, by excavating the wisdom of the people through structured dialogue.

(http://sddinternationalschool.wikispaces.com/What+is+the+SDD+process%3F)

Monday 4 April 2011

FWC leads European Consortium that offers free language lessons via mobile phone

Cypriot non-governmental organisation, Future Worlds Center, invites those who are too busy to attend a language course or those who do not want to attend a traditional language course, to try “MobLang” as a perfect tool to help leahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifrn the basics of a new language in a fun way. With a few minutes each day MobLang teaches you the most common phrases. Special exercises help you with the pronunciation while you practice your newly learned words and phrases. MobLang is easy to install on your mobile and simple to use.

MobLang is a project funded by the European Union that provides tools to study a new language through mobile technology. It allows users to get to know the language and deepens their knowledge about other cultures. More information can be found at the MobLang website http://www.moblang.eu/.

The MobLang project is officially entitled “Intercultural Dialogue & Linguistic Diversity via MobLang” and is within the Framework of the Lifelong Learning Programme / Transversal Programme / Key Activity 2: Languages (European Commission, EACEA). The local Cypriot organizations Future Worlds Center and the University of Cyprus Language Centre are teamed up with partners in Europe from Greece, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The consortium offers a variety of languages to learn such as Albanian, Basque, Greek, Irish, and Turkish.

Participation is for anyone who wants to learn some basic language skillshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif via their mobile phone. The cost of the actual course is free for the first 150 people registered. There is no participation fee; however, a donation of €10 will be appreciated to cover costs for a SD card. All those who register after the first 150 are kindly required to donate a higher amount.

The MobLang mobile course is supported further with regular Language Cafés for socializing with individuals who speak the language being learned, watching short movies, and going shopping or to a café to practice vocabulary with native speakers. The duration of the course is 1-2 months (depending on participant’s speed). Participants attend at least once at Language Café in order to receive the program and install it properly on their mobile.

To register, email moblang.register@cnti.org.cy or call (+357) 22-892909.

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Cyberethics Carnival Party!


The Cyprus Safer Internet Center – Cyberethics, invites you to a Carnival Party which has as a general theme “the Internet” (the costumes need to be related to the Internet, i.e. antivirus – doctor etc).

The best costumes will be awarded prizes!

See you all on Saturday 5/3/2011 at 11:30pm at Down Town Retro Club, Limassol.
Entrance fee: 35 euro with Open Bar!!

For more information and reservations, please call at 22873820 (office hours) or at 99806388 (Iliada).

Saturday 19 February 2011

Great Opportunity: Call for Participants from Cyprus for an International Training called "Human Rights Creative"

Future Worlds Center is a partner in the international multipliers’ training course "Human Rights CREATIVE" from April 4th to 11th 2011 and we are looking for participants from Cyprus! Other participants coming are from England, Netherlands, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Italy, Malta and Germany. The deadline is 28 February so act now to be included!

Please find the detailed description below.

If you know anybody (teachers, trainers, social workers, students etc.) who might be interested in participating, please pass this information on and promote the course. It will be a very exciting and very international event.

Training Course "Human Rights CREATIVE“ at International House Sonnenberg / Germany

April 4th to 11th, 2011

About the project

The Training Course ”Human Rights CREATIVE” is organized by the International House Sonnenberg in cooperation with the DARE-network (www.dare-network.eu) and nine partner organizations from different European countries that are active in the field of Human Rights education, and it is mainly financed by the “Youth in Action” Programme of the EU.

During the training course between 30 and 40 multipliers from the nine partner countries that are United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Germany will firstly get a short general introduction into the topic of Human Rights and Human Rights Education (HRE), in order to then get to know a wide range of methods with a creative approach (such as theatre, film, arts etc.) that can be used to work with (international) young people on the topic of Human Rights.

About us

The International House Sonnenberg is an education center offering many different kinds of conferences, seminars and other educational activities for youth, children, adults and families. A huge focus lies on international encounters, political issues and training courses for multipliers.

More information: www.sonnenberg-international.de

In April 2009 we facilitated the course “Methods of Human Rights Education in Youth Work” in cooperation with the DARE-network. You can find the documentation at http://www.dare-network.eu/downloads/DARE_BLUE_LINES_Methodologies_of_Human_Rights_Education.pdf

Target group

The Course addresses young multipliers, aged between 18 and 35, such as youth workers, youth leaders, social workers, teachers, students of educational subjects but also volunteers and all other people working with youth and interested in the topic of Human Rights.

Topics that will be covered in our training course “Human Rights CREATIVE”:

? What are Human Rights and where do they come from?

? The importance and aims of Human Rights Education (HRE)

? A simulation game on a current topic related to Human Rights

? Individual Workshops, held by different international experts, teaching a variety of creative approaches for teaching Human Rights, e.g. theatre methods, artistic methods, video/films, photography, …

? Exchange of experiences and best-practice examples in the field of HRE

? One-day-excursion to visit projects/organizations active in Human Rights Education

? Developing ideas for (joint) practical projects, using creative methods of HRE


Objectives

- to equip international multipliers with a range of creative methods for teaching Human Rights

- to stimulate participants to take an active role in promoting Human Rights

- to arise young people's awareness of topics related to Human Rights

The methodology of the training course

The project is designed as an open learning process based on participants’ exchange of experiences and opinions. The training course follows the approach of non-formal and social education. In addition we will invite international experts to hold workshops on creative methods and to give presentations on the theoretical background of Human Rights (Education).

Working language

English – all participants must be able to actively communicate in English

Prerequisites

We are expecting from participants in our training course “Human Rights CREATIVE” to have:

? previous experiences and knowledge of working with young people

? great interest in the field of Human Rights

? good English communication skills

? willingness to contribute to the program with a presentation on either your organization, a certain project you have been involved with or a good practice example. It should be practical information that the other participants will benefit from!

? willingness to develop a project within the Youth in Action Programme as an outcome of the training course

? willingness to participate throughout the full duration of the Training Course

Financial conditions


The participation fee for each participant will be: 130,- Euros

There is a reduced fee for participants from Eastern European countries: 80,- Euros

The fee includes food and lodging at our beautiful education center as well as program costs during the entire training course.

70% of your travel costs will be reimbursed, if you hand in or show us the original tickets at the training course. Example: If the ticket costs you 200 Euro, then 140 Euro will be reimbursed after the event. (Using the cheapest transport is required: 2nd class train, economy airfare, etc.)

Trainers

Jochen Dallmer, Berlin/Germany, “Young Friends of the Earth Germany”

Samuel Antonio Mejias, London/United Kingdom, Researcher (writing PhD) “Institute of Education, University of London”

Speakers / Workshop facilitators

“Human Rights – origin, vision, reality” – Frank Elbers, Netherlands, Stichting Human Rights Education Associates

“Theatre of Human Rights” – Borislava Daskalova, Bulgaria, Trainer of Forum Theatre

“Children Rights – seen creatively” – Massimo di Rienzo & team, Rome/Italy, Menougualepiu

“Making Human Rights Videos” – Samuel A. Mejias, London/United Kingdom, University of London

“Drumming for Human Rights” – Christine Holtkamp, Trainer of Samba and political action

“Murals – colorful reminders of Human Rights” – Cathy Bird, United Kingdom

“Human Rights in film and sound” – N.N.

Partners involved

? “Partners Bulgaria Foundation”, Bulgaria, www.partnersbg.org

? “Future Worlds Center”, Cyprus, www.futureworldscenter.org

? “European Safer Schools Partnership”, United Kingdom, www.esspd.org

? “Active Citizenship Foundation”, Hungary, www.aktivpolgar.hu

? “Menougualepiù s.r.l.”, Italy, www.menougualepiu.it

? Informal group of multipliers, Malta

? “Human Rights Education Associates”, Netherlands, www.hrea.org

? “Education for the Future”, Poland

Application Procedure

Participation is only possible upon accepted application as the number of places is limited. Please fill the application form that is available to download at www.sonnenberg-international.de > conferences > Human Rights CREATIVE.

Application deadline is 28th of February 2011. Please use the application form only, don’t send additional documents. Selection of participants will be upon their experience and commitment. We seek active people who can use creative methods of Human Rights Education in their youth work. Participation is only possible for the whole programme, not for single days or sessions.

If you are interested in participating, please fill in the attached application form and send it to us by Feb 28th.

Further details on program, location, travel reimbursement and all other technicalities will be given to confirmed participants in March.

For more information about the Training Course, please contact Katja Pötzsch-Martin by e-mail:

k.poetzsch@sonnenberg-international.de
or call +49-(0)5582-944-148 / -0

Internationales Haus Sonnenberg
Sonnenberg-Kreis e.V.
Clausthaler Str. 11
37444 St. Andreasberg
Tel.: +49 (0) 5582/ 944 -148
Fax: +49 (0) 5582/ 944 -100

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Jumpstart Youth Peace Campaign celebrates its achievements

Jumpstart Youth Peace Campaign came to a closure on 15th February 2011 in the magical atmosphere of Chateau Status venue in Nicosia.

People who had participated in the campaign at different stages of its implementation gathered together and had the chance to catch up with each other and renew contacts.

Project coordinators Huseyin Kursat from Youth Center and Nicolina Markidou from Future Worlds Center thanked all participants for their support and involvement in the project and gave out certificates to everyone involved.

Special guests were the music band Babamad who performed live music by combining both electronic and traditional instruments.

Jumpstart participants formed a network of people who act as multipliers for further mobilization of young people in the reconciliation process and the strengthening of collaboration between Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot community.

The EU-funded project Jumpstart Youth Peace Campaign in Cyprus increased confidence building between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot youth 16-30 years and created opportunities for youth to actively engage in reconciliation activities.

Tuesday 15 February 2011

"Jumpstart the Peace" Youth Campaign Intercutural Learning


On February 11-13, as part of the EU-funded project "Jumpstart the Peace" Youth Campaign, participants traveled to Omodhos and Limassol for a weekend on intercultural learning. The evening kicked off on Friday night with a wine tasting at the Linos Winery. Participants then moved on to a local tavern in Omodhos for dinner, dancing, and music.

The weekend continued with workshops on intercultural learning, film screenings, and discussions. To conclude, participants painted a large canvas with their ideas of what is multiculturalism. Jumpstart the Peace Youth Campaign will finish with a live music event and closing ceremony featuring the group Babamad at Chateau Status on 15 February beginning at 8:30.

Thursday 10 February 2011

Jumpstart Youth Peace Campaign bus tour


On 4-6 February 2011 as part of the Jumpstart Youth Peace Campaign bus tour, which is funded by the EU, 25 participants from across the island traveled to Kritou Terra and Akamas. Throughout the weekend participants attended workshops to understand what is meant by a sustainable environment and to learn about the ecosystem and geology of the Akamas peninsula.

Participants hiked through the Avakas Gorge, visited Toxeftra beach, sea caves, and ate lunch in the Latchi harbor. The weekend concluded with a drive through the Limnitis checkpoint. New friendships were formed and participants exchanged e-mails and facebook accounts to stay in touch.

Jumpstart aims to increase confidence building between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot youth, and create new opportunities for youth to jointly engage. This upcoming weekend Jumpstart will offer workshops on intercultural learning in Limassol. During the weekend participants will explore different interpretations of culture through site visits, media trainings and a fun creative art workshop.

For more information please contact Nicolina Markidou, nicolina.markidou@gmail.com, or Adira Zwelling, zwell.a@gmail.com.

Community Cinema Nights

Community Cinema Nights

Your Choice To Act Community Cinema Nights are a series of six movies, which aims to create a social environment and a forum for discussion where people can interact and socialize while watching thought provoking movies with such subjects as fair trade, humanitarian issues and global imbalances.

Each Community Cinema Night also features a panel discussion about the topics and issues addressed in the film.

Your Choice to Act“ is a local initiative which aims to raise awareness about how our choices affect global issues.

All Community Cinema Nights take place at the Cyprus Community Media Center.

Reception starts at 18:00, Viewing starts at 18:30

The first chosen movie on the 17th February is "The Dark Side of Chocolate" by the award winning Danish Journalist Miki Mistrati

Is the chocolate we eat produced with the use of child labour trafficked children? Does your favourite chocolate have a bitter taste?

Miki Mistrati investigates the rumours!

Everybody is invited to come to the Cyprus Community Media Center, watch the movie and participate in the following panel discussion!

Free admission!

The movie will be in English without Greek or Turkish subtitles.

It is your choice to act!!

Friday 28 January 2011

UNHCR's new public awareness project: "A UNHCR tent in the heart of the city"

UNHCR Representation in Cyprus is pleased to announce the launching of its new public awareness project, entitled "A UNHCR tent in the heart of the city"; and cordially invites you to participate in the activities and events that have been organised so far.

As the title suggests, a series of activities will be organised around a real tent, which will be initially placed in Nicosia, at the Multi functional Center of the Nicosia Municipality (former "Old People's House"). The tent will stay there for the whole month of February and will then be placed at a central location in Larnaca.
School and other groups are encouraged to visit the tent, and for this purpose arrangements for group visits can be made directly with UNHCR. Of course, passers by and any interested individual can visit the tent at any time during the working hours of the Center (from 07.30-14.30 on weekdays and Wednesday afternoons). For more information, you can always contact us.

The campaign, which is placed under the auspices of the Municipalities of Nicosia and Larnaca, and supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture, will be launched at a press conference on Tuesday 01/02 at 11.00 hrs, at the Multifunctional Center of the Nicosia Municipality.

Monday 24 January 2011

Συνέδριο InetRisks Η συνεργασία γονέων-παιδιών ως μέθοδος αντιμετώπισης των κινδύνων στο Διαδίκτυο (Ταξίδι σε εικονικό κόσμο)

Συνέδριο InetRisks
Η συνεργασία γονέων-παιδιών ως μέθοδος αντιμετώπισης των κινδύνων στο Διαδίκτυο
(Ταξίδι σε εικονικό κόσμο)

Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα του ερευνητικού έργου InetRisks στην Κύπρο, οι γονείς και τα παιδιά, μέσα από την εμπειρία του κοινού «παιχνιδιού» κατάφεραν να αλληλο-εκπαιδευτούν σε θέματα δυνατοτήτων και προκλήσεων του διαδικτύου και να αναπτύξουν δεξιότητες αντιμετώπισης πιθανών κινδύνων. Οι γονείς φαίνεται να διεύρυναν τις γνώσεις τους όσον αφορά τις δυνατότητες του διαδικτύου, τους κινδύνους του διαδικτύου, τους τρόπους αντιμετώπισης των επικίνδυνων καταστάσεων και τους τρόπους χρήσης του διαδικτύου από τα παιδιά τους. Επιπρόσθετα, οι γονείς ανακάλυψαν ότι τα παιδιά τους γνωρίζουν πράγματα και έχουν δεξιότητες που δεν ανέμεναν καθώς επεσήμαναν ότι τα παιδιά τους μπορούν να τους διδάξουν πράγματα και δεξιότητες που είναι καινούργια γι’ αυτούς. Οι γονείς συνειδητοποίησαν ότι μπορούν να συνεργαστούν αποτελεσματικά με τα παιδιά τους.

Με την ευκαιρία της ολοκλήρωσης του ερευνητικού έργου InetRisks (Changing Attitudes of Adults (parents) on Internet-Related Risks for Young Adolescents) το οποίο υλοποιήθηκε με χρηματοδότηση του Ιδρύματος Προώθησης Έρευνας προς το Ινστιτούτο Νευροεπιστήμης και Τεχνολογίας, πραγματοποιήθηκε συνέδριο με θέμα «Η συνεργασία γονέων-παιδιών ως μέθοδος αντιμετώπισης των κινδύνων στο Διαδίκτυο (Ταξίδι σε εικονικό κόσμο) » το Σάββατο, 08 Ιανουαρίου 2011. Στόχος του συνεδρίου ήταν η παρουσίαση των αποτελεσμάτων του έργου (διετούς διάρκειας) και η ενημέρωση των γονέων σχετικά με τους κινδύνους του Διαδικτύου, καθώς επίσης και τους τρόπους προστασίας των παιδιών τους κατά τη χρήση του Διαδικτύου.

Μέσα από τα αποτελέσματα διαφαίνεται επίσης η ικανοποίηση που εισέπραξαν οι γονείς για την ευκαιρία που είχαν να περάσουν χρόνο με τα παιδιά τους.

Όπως σημείωσε ο Πρόεδρος της Προσωρινής Επιτροπής του Ανοικτού Πανεπιστημίου Κύπρου Καθ. Πάνος Ραζής , εξίσου σημαντικές φάνηκαν να είναι οι αλλαγές στις αντιλήψεις και τις στάσεις των γονιών απέναντι στους κινδύνους γενικά, στους κινδύνους του διαδικτύου, στις δυνατότητες του διαδικτύου αλλά και στη χρήση του διαδικτύου από τα παιδιά. Ο επιστημονικός υπεύθυνος του έργου, Δρ. Γιάννης Λαούρης εξήγησε ότι σύμφωνα με τις αρχικές δηλώσεις των γονιών, οι αντιλήψεις και στάσεις τους για τους κινδύνους γενικά κατηγοριοποιήθηκαν σε αυτούς που παρουσιάζονται συντηρητικοί, σε αυτούς που υπολογίζουν τον κίνδυνο και σε αυτούς που αγνοούν τον κίνδυνο. Κατόπιν, φάνηκε ότι οι στάσεις των γονιών απέναντι στον κίνδυνο διαφοροποιούνται ανάλογα με το είδος του κινδύνου και ανάλογα με την αντίληψη για την ωριμότητα των παιδιών τους ως προς την αντιμετώπιση κινδύνων.

Οι γονείς φαίνεται να είναι ενήμεροι για τους πιο σημαντικούς κινδύνους στο διαδίκτυο. Όπως αναφέρει η κ. Αναστασία Οικονόμου, σχεδόν όλοι οι γονείς αναφέρουν τον εθισμό ως ένα πολύ σημαντικό κίνδυνο του διαδικτύου που προκαλείται κυρίως από την ανωριμότητα των εφήβων και την έλλειψη ικανότητας να βάζουν κάποια όρια. Σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις οι γονείς αναφέρουν τους ίδιους κινδύνους τόσο στην πραγματική ζωή όσο και στη διαδικτυακή (π.χ. κακές παρέες, παραπλάνηση). Σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις οι γονείς δηλώνουν ότι οι κίνδυνοι στην πραγματική ζωή είναι πιο σημαντικοί από ότι στο διαδίκτυο.

Τα σενάρια των δραστηριοτήτων που πραγματοποίησαν από κοινού γονείς και παιδιά είναι διαθέσιμα στην ιστοσελίδα του έργου Inetrisks (www.inetrisks.net), καθώς επίσης και οι παρουσιάσεις, οι ομιλίες καθώς οι συζητήσεις που διεξήχθησαν ανάμεσα στους συμμετέχοντες (παιδιά, γονείς, ομάδα έργου) και τους παρευρισκόμενους στο συνέδριο.

Το έργο InetRisks χρηματοδοτήθηκε από το Ίδρυμα Προώθησης Έρευνας και συντονίστηκε από το Ινστιτούτο Νευροεπιστήμης και Τεχνολογίας. Περισσότερες πληροφορίες για το έργο μπορείτε να βρείτε στην ιστοσελίδα του έργου www.inetrisks.net
Τέλος
Σημειώσεις προς τους συντάκτες
Για περαιτέρω πληροφορίες σχετικά με τα αποτελέσματα του έργου InetRisks παρακαλώ επικοινωνήστε με τη συντονίστρια του προγράμματος Έλενα Αριστοδήμου – elena@cnti.org.cy

Τα παιδιά χρειάζονται περισσότερη βοήθεια για να εμποδίσουν τους διαδικτυακούς κινδύνους, αναφέρει Ευρωπαϊκή διαδικτυακή έρευνα

Τα παιδιά χρειάζονται περισσότερη βοήθεια για να εμποδίσουν τους διαδικτυακούς κινδύνους, αναφέρει Ευρωπαϊκή διαδικτυακή έρευνα

Μια καινούργια έρευνα που διεξήχθη για το Ευρωπαϊκό Συμβούλιο αναφέρει ότι οι εταιρείες διαδικτύου πρέπει να προσφέρουν περισσότερους τρόπους στα παιδιά έτσι ώστε να μπορούν να εμποδίζουν, να φιλτράρουν και να καταγγέλλουν ανησυχητικό διαδικτυακό περιεχόμενο και επαφές.

Όπως αναφέρει η έρευνα, παιδιά και γονείς, νιώθουν εξασφαλισμένοι όταν τους δίνονται εργαλεία για να λάβουν μέτρα ενάντια στους διαδικτυακούς κινδύνους όπως η παρενόχληση, το ερωτικό περιεχόμενο και οι παρεμβατικοί ξένοι. Παρόλα αυτά, δε χρησιμοποιούν συχνά τις επιλογές που έχουν διαθέσιμες (συμπεριλαμβανομένων και των συμβουλών για διαδικτυακή ασφάλεια ή τα λεγόμενα ‘κουμπιά πανικού’ που διατίθενται σε ιστοσελίδες κοινωνικής δικτύωσης) αλλά και η βιομηχανία θα μπορούσε να κάνει περισσότερα για να προωθήσει τη χρήση τους.

Περισσότερα από 25,000 παιδιά από όλη την Ευρώπη (καθώς και ένας από τους γονείς τους) συμμετείχαν στην έρευνα, EU Kids Online, η οποία συντονίζεται από το London School of Economics and Political Science και χρηματοδοτείται από το Ευρωπαϊκό Συμβούλιο και το ‘Safer Internet Programme’ (Πρόγραμμα Ασφαλούς Διαδικτύου). Στην Κύπρο την έρευνα συντονίζει το Ινστιτούτο Νευροεπιστημών και Τεχνολογίας Κύπρου (www.cnti.org.cy).

Η έρευνα αποκάλυψε ότι ενώ το 70% των γονιών μιλούν στα παιδιά τους σχετικά με το τι κάνουν αυτά στο διαδίκτυο και περισσότεροι από τους μισούς προσφέρουν πρακτικές συμβουλές και υποστήριξη, σχετικά λίγοι χρησιμοποιούν τεχνικά μέσα για να τους βοηθήσουν. Μόνο το 28% επιλέγει να εμποδίσει ή να φιλτράρει ιστοσελίδες και το μόνο το 24% παρακολουθεί τις ιστοσελίδες που επισκέπτονται τα παιδιά του.

Η έρευνα δείχνει ότι, τα περισσότερα παιδιά δεν ενοχλούνται απ’ ότι αντιμετωπίζουν στο διαδίκτυο – μόνο το 12% αναφέρουν ότι ενοχλήθηκαν. Και ενώ τα παιδιά λένε ότι η παρενόχληση είναι σχετικά ασυνήθιστη, μόνο ένας στους 20 ανέφερε ότι του συνέβηκε, τα παιδιά που είχαν παρενοχληθεί στο διαδίκτυο ήταν αυτά που έδειξαν να έχουν ενοχληθεί περισσότερο.

Το 23% των παιδιών είδαν ερωτικές ή πορνογραφικές εικόνες τον τελευταίο χρόνο μέσα από όλα τα μέσα ενημέρωσης και επικοινωνίας, με το διαδίκτυο να είναι τώρα τόσο κοινή πηγή όσο η τηλεόραση, οι ταινίες και τα βίντεο. Ενώ αυτό είναι πιο συχνό σε μεγαλύτερους έφηβους, τα μικρότερα παιδιά δήλωσαν ότι ενοχλούνται περισσότερο όταν βλέπουν ερωτικές εικόνες. Τα παιδιά τώρα χρησιμοποιούν το διαδίκτυο σε όλο και μικρότερες ηλικίες – με μέσο όρο την ηλικία των 7 ετών στη Δανία και Σουηδία και των 8 ετών σε πολλές άλλες βόρειες Ευρωπαϊκές χώρες.

Η Sonia Livingstone, καθηγήτρια στα ΜΜΕ και επικοινωνίας στο LSE και υπεύθυνη του προγράμματος EU Kids Online, αναφέρει: ‘Οι γονείς και η διαδικτυακή βιομηχανία έχουν κάνει κάποια πρώτα βήματα για να κάνουν το διαδίκτυο πιο ασφαλές για τα παιδιά αλλά μπορούν και οι δύο να κάνουν πολύ περισσότερα'.

‘Η έρευνα μας δείχνει ότι τα παιδιά δέχονται την εμπλοκή των γονιών τους για τους κινδύνους όταν βρίσκονται στο διαδίκτυο αλλά ότι υπάρχουν πολύ λίγα τεχνικά εργαλεία για να τους βοηθήσουν με το να εμποδίζουν επαφές, να φιλτράρουν ανεπιθύμητο περιεχόμενο ή να καταγγείλουν προβλήματα όταν αυτά συμβαίνουν. Ακόμα και όταν αυτά τα εργαλεία υπάρχουν, υποψιαζόμαστε ότι η ενημέρωση για την ύπαρξη και χρήση τους είναι λίγη. Συνιστούμε στη βιομηχανία να δημιουργήσει περισσότερα εργαλεία, να κάνει περισσότερα για να ενημερώσει γονείς και παιδιά και να τα κάνει ευκολότερα στη χρήση τους.’

Τα στοιχεία για την Κύπρο

- Η Κύπρος βρίσκεται στις πρώτες θέσεις στην Ευρώπη όσον αφορά τη χρήση του κινητού τηλεφώνου για πρόσβαση στο διαδίκτυο (39%) και την πρόσβαση από το υπνοδωμάτιο (62%).

- Στην Κύπρο ένα πολύ μεγάλο ποσοστό (63%) παιδιών ανέφεραν ότι υπάρχουν πράγματα στο διαδίκτυο τα οποία ενοχλούν τους συνομήλικους τους ενώ για τον εαυτό τους μόνο το 9% δήλωσε ότι ενοχλήθηκε από το περιεχόμενο αυτό.

- Το 73% των παιδιών ηλικίας 9-16 ετών έχουν προφίλ σε πλατφόρμα κοινωνικής δικτύωσης, τοποθετώντας την Κύπρο στις πρώτες 5 της Ευρώπης.

- Το 91% των γονιών των οποίων το παιδί έχει λάβει προσβλητικά ή επιζήμια/επιβλαβή μηνύματα στο διαδίκτυο, λένε ότι το παιδί τους δεν έχει λάβει ποτέ τέτοιο μήνυμα, κάτι που καταδεικνύει ότι η γονική άγνοια πιθανόν να αποτελεί από μόνη της ένα είδος κινδύνου.

- Το 82% των γονιών των οποίων το παιδί συνάντησε δια ζώσης κάποιον που ήξερε μόνο μέσω διαδικτύου, λένε ότι το παιδί τους δεν είχε ποτέ τέτοια εμπειρία.

- Στην Κύπρο 27% των παιδιών δήλωσαν ότι θα επιθυμούσαν περισσότερη γονική συμμετοχή σχετικά με αυτά που κάνουν στο διαδίκτυο, γεγονός που κατατάσσει την Κύπρο στις πρώτες θέσεις στην Ευρώπη. Παράλληλα οι γονείς δήλωσαν ότι θα έπρεπε να κάνουν περισσότερα (79%) σχετικά με τη χρήση του διαδικτύου από τα παιδιά τους και αυτό κατατάσσει την Κύπρο στην πρώτη θέση σε όλη την Ευρώπη.

Εν κατακλείδι, η έρευνα αποκαλύπτει ότι τα παιδιά στην Κύπρο αξιοποιούν πολύ την τεχνολογία, αλλά όπως δήλωσε η επιστημονική εκπρόσωπος του Ινστιτούτου Νευροεπιστημών και Τεχνολογίας Κύπρου, Έλενα Αριστοδήμου, «ιδιαίτερα ανησυχητικό σε τοπικό επίπεδο φαίνεται το γεγονός ότι η πλειοψηφία των γονιών δεν γνωρίζει τους κινδύνους με τους οποίους βρέθηκε αντιμέτωπο το παιδί τους. Επομένως, ιδιαίτερη έμφαση χρειάζονται οι προσεγγίσεις των γονιών προς τα παιδιά τους έτσι ώστε να γνωρίζουν τι τους συμβαίνει και να μπορούν να τα στηρίζουν όταν αυτά το χρειάζονται. Τα παιδιά ίσως να φοβούνται να μοιραστούν με τους γονείς τους τα διάφορα περιστατικά που βίωσαν λόγω τυχόν απαγορεύσεων και περιορισμών που μπορεί να επιβληθούν. Γι’ αυτό το λόγο είναι ιδιαίτερα σημαντικός ο τρόπος προσέγγισης των παιδιών από τους γονείς, αφού στόχος δεν είναι οι απαγορεύσεις και οι επιπλήξεις, αλλά η σωστή και ασφαλής χρήση του διαδικτύου».

Η έρευνα επίσης συνιστά την στοχοθέτηση των πόρων και την καθοδήγηση για την ασφάλεια στις πιο μικρές ηλικίες που τώρα βρίσκονται στο διαδίκτυο, όπως επίσης και τη δημιουργία περισσότερου θετικού περιεχομένου που να στοχεύει περισσότερο τα παιδιά. Ωστόσο, οι συγγραφείς επίσης επισημαίνουν ότι τα παιδιά πρέπει να ενθαρρύνονται να παίρνουν ευθύνη για την δική τους διαδικτυακή ασφάλεια όσο γίνεται, και ότι νεαρά άτομα που έχουν ελλείψεις σε ψηφιακές δεξιότητες θα πρέπει να εκπαιδευτούν και να υποστηριχθούν για να διευρύνουν τις ευκαιρίες τους.

Οι ερευνητές εξέτασαν την διαδικτυακή εμπειρία των παιδιών σε 25 Ευρωπαϊκές χώρες και η έκθεση παρουσιάζει όλα τα ευρήματα αλλά και τις συστάσεις πολιτικής από την ομάδα του έργου. Τα αρχικά πορίσματα της έρευνας παρουσιάστηκαν στο Safer Internet Forum τον Νοέμβριο του 2010.

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες και το ολοκληρωμένο αντίγραφο της έκθεσης δείτε το:
www.eukidsonline.net

Τέλος


Σημειώσεις προς τους συντάκτες

1. Tο πρόγραμμα EU Kids Online στοχεύει στην ενίσχυση της γνώσης για τις εμπειρίες και πρακτικές των Ευρωπαίων παιδιών και γονιών σχετικά με την επικίνδυνη αλλά και ασφαλή χρήση του διαδικτύου καθώς και τις καινούργιες διαδικτυακές τεχνολογίες, έτσι ώστε να ενημερώνει την προώθηση ενός ασφαλούς διαδικτυακού περιβάλλοντος για τα παιδιά.

2. Οι χώρες που περιλαμβάνονται στο EU Kids Online είναι: Αυστρία, Βέλγιο, Βουλγαρία, Κύπρος, Τσεχία, Δανία, Εσθονία, Φιλανδία, Γαλλία, Γερμανία, Ελλάδα, Ουγγαρία, Ιρλανδία, Ιταλία, Λιθουανία, Ολλανδία, Νορβηγία, Πολωνία, Πορτογαλία, Ρουμανία, Σλοβενία, Ισπανία, Σουηδία, Τουρκία και Αγγλία.

3. Στην Κύπρο την έρευνα συντονίζει το Ινστιτούτο Νευροεπιστήμης και Τεχνολογίας Κύπρου.

Η ιστοσελίδα του δικτύου EU Kids Online είναι: http://www.eukidsonline.net/
Για περαιτέρω πληροφορίες σχετικά με τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας παρακαλώ επικοινωνήστε με τη συντονίστρια του προγράμματος στην Κύπρο: Έλενα Αριστοδήμου – elena@cnti.org.cy


Το πρόγραμμα συγχρηματοδοτείται από την Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση

Thursday 20 January 2011

JOB OPENING - Project Coordinator in Global Education Unit

Project Coordinator in Global Education Unit

Duties and Responsibilities

* General project management
* Organization and execution of all project activities and events
* Preparation of EC reports
* Project proposal writing

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience in Civil Society
* Candidate must be fluent in Turkish and English
* University background in social science would be preferable

Prospective candidates will be evaluated against general criteria representing the Center’s culture namely:

* Ethics, fairness and respect for diversity

* Credibility & resourcefulness

* International orientation

* Ambition & continuous improvement

* Leadership; team player; multi-tasking

* Innovative thinking and attitude

Please send your CVs to:

fwcglobaleducation@gmail.com or to Fax 22873821

Apply until 14 February 2011

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Success of New Years party for the children of refugees and asylum seekers

We are happy to announce that the party organized for the children of asylum seekers and refugees here in Cyprus, on Saturday 15 January, 2011 at Acropolis park in Nicosia was a huge success.

More than 50 children attended and had a fantastic time. The excitement and joy they felt was magical. The smiles on their faces as well as the smiles on their parents’ faces were so special to everyone.

We would like to thank the following people and companies for their kind and generous contributions. Without their help, we would not have been able to offer to these children, who have been subjected to extreme conditions in their lives, a few hours of fun.

• The Honourable Mayor of Strovolos Mr Savvas Eliofotos for the “Spilies”
• Get Fresh for their generous donation of sandwiches and jelly & fruit pots
• Pizza Hut for their generous donation of pizzas
• Zorbas Bakeries for their generous donation of snacks
• John’s Box of Surprises for the Bouncy Castles
• Everyone who responded to our request for gifts
• Friends and volunteers of the organization who helped out during the event

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Dr. Laouris speaks on Deutche Welle about the technology gap between children and parents

On Tuesday, December 2, 2010, the findings of a Europe-wide study on young people and the internet were released in Berlin. The results were released on a conference organized by the State Media Authority of Rhineland-Palatinate in collaboration with several other organizations including the German Safer Internet Center.
More than 23,000 children and young people between the ages of 9 and 16 were interviewed across 25 European countries by trained psychologists in the context of a pan-European project known as EUKIDSONLINE. The Cyprus Neuroscience & Technology Institute participates in this venture since 2007.

Dr. Laouris, Director of the Cyprus Safer Internet Center and Representative of the EUKIDS network in Cyprus, presented preliminary results of a study that is using the data from these 23,000 questionnaires and which showed that kids experimenting with their selves online are at more risk of being bullied and bullying others on the internet. The study has used completed in collaboration with Dr. Lucian Kirwil from the Institute for Social Studies in Poland.

On an interview conducted by Mrs. Cinnamon Nippard, an Australian journalist working for Deutsche Welle, Dr. Laouris suggested that parents should let their children become their teachers when it comes to technology. This approach would not only facilitate the closing of the technological gap that exists between children and parents, but it will also give them the opportunity to spend some quality time with their kids.
The interview is available at:
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6310295,00.html (08.12.2010)

The audio part of the interview is available on line (15.12.2010):
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6326194,00.html (Laouris interview at minute 4).
The New Media Lab of the Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute is currently implementing another research project, which supports very similar conclusions. Inetrisks (available at www.inetRisks.net), funded by the Research Promotion Foundation, has demonstrated that the attitudes of parents as to what constitutes a risk on the internet, change dramatically when they participate in a 6 month-long program that engages them in spending time together with their children in various technology platforms.