Basic and Clinical Winter 2012, Volume 3, Number 2
New Hopes and Serious Potentials for a Collaborative Network on Cognitive Science and Technology among ECO Member Countries
conomic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is Science Foundation in an outstanding report in 2002 la- an intergovernmental regional organization beled cognitive science along with nanotechnology, bio- established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Tur- technology, and information technology as “Converging key for the purpose of promoting economic, Technologies for Improving Human Performance”. This E technical and cultural cooperation among the report put emphasis on potential uses of Cognitive Science member states. and Technologies (CSAT) in improving health, providing In 1992, the Organization was expanded to include seven wealth and overcoming disability for humankind and all new members, namely: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, nations. "Understanding of the mind and brain will enable Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz the creation of a new species of intelligent machine sys- Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Re- tems that can generate economic wealth on a scale hitherto public of Uzbekistan. unimaginable. Within a half-century, intelligent machines might create the wealth needed to provide food, clothing, Over the past 20 years the member states have been col- shelter, education, medical care, a clean environment, and laborating to accelerate the pace of regional development " &