SAFE-SI: SLOVENIAN AWARENESS NODE IDENTIFYING THE ACTORS AND ACTIONS

1. SAFE-SI: SLOVENIAN AWARENESS NODEIDENTIFYING THE ACTORS AND ACTIONS Safer Internet Forum 2007, 20.6.07 TANJA ŠTERK, project coordinator

2. INTRODUCTION • The SAFE-SI consortium is established by: • Coordinator:University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences • Partner: ARNES (Academic and Research Network of Slovenia) • Mission and support: • The goal of SAFE-SI is to empower selected target groups (young people, parents and teachers) to use the Internet, as well as other information and communication technologies safely and effectively. • The project is co-financed by the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. It also has wide support from all Slovenian key Internet service and content providers, child/welfare groups, government and school institutions as well as the media to act as the Slovenian National Awareness Node.

3. HOW TARGET GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES WERE IDENTIFIED? • The awareness of parents, teachers and youngsters should be raised without raising a fear. Awareness - raising should promote positive use. • Around 58%(Eurobarometer 2006) of children use the Internet and more than 90% mobile phones (RIS, 2006). Young people in Slovenia are enthusiastic Internet users, particularly of the interactive services like email, chat, forums and Instant Messaging. • The special importance should be given to media education in order to bring up media literate and responsible youngsters. • The respective role of schools, state institutions, awareness nodes and individuals in the process of education and awareness-raising is in the spotlight. • Empowermentof parents with the knowledge that they need to protect themselves and their children on-line is crucial. The best way of preventing a misuse of the Internet is through education.

4. LIST OF ACTIVITIES • Design and dissemination of clear and easy-to understand awareness materials through relevant dissemination and promotion channels of the school and government institutions, child/welfare groups, the Internet industry and media. • Organisation of events (round tables, presentations, seminars for parents and teachers, etc.). • Co-operation with non-partners at seminars, workshops for teachers in primary and secondary schools. • Ensuring broad media coverage. • Empowerment of target groups through SAFE-SI website (http://www.safe.si). • Highly effective cooperation with relevant stakeholders participating in project Advisory Board. • Cooperation with other national nodes in the European network.

5. NATIONAL COPERATION- SAFE-SI Advisory Body • SAFE-SI Advisory Body was officially established in December 2005. • It consists of representatives of 23 institutions representing majority of entities associated with the problem of ICT safety in Slovenia. • Establishing joint Advisory Body of Slovenian Awareness Node as well as hotline.

6. THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITIES (1) • In December 2006 SAFE-SI reached an agreement with National Education Institute dealing with the inclusion of the most relevant Internet safety themes to the special ICT seminars for teacher trainers (multiplicators). • In 2006 MICROSOFT sponsored a special competition for pupils and studentsentitled: “Net Generation-that’s also me” dealing with presentation of different views on information society in different creative ways. A special web site was thus developed free-of-charge, furthermore MICROSOFT also contributed prizes for the authors of best art-projects.

7. THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITIES (2) Distribution of SAFE-SI educational and promotional materials (brochures, leaflets, posters): • Microsoft – distribution of brochure through different MICROSOFT sales centres in Slovenia. Each buyer of laptop or PC also receives a copy of SAFE-SI brochure; • UPC Telemach (Global Liberty) – distribution of brochures as well as leaflets to new users of the Telemach cable Internet; • Slovenian Police – distribution of brochures through “General Police Directorate” to all Police Directorates (11) at the regional level and local Police Stations(106); • Telekom Slovenia Group in co-operation with Mobitel d.d. (national mobile telecommunications operator)- distribution of brochures through »Telestores« and Mobitel sales centres; • Slovenian libraries – distribution of brochures, leaflets and posters to the visitors of different Slovenian libraries; • Slovenian primary schools – distribution of leaflets, brochures and posters to teachers, students and parents.

8. THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITIES (3) Joint participation at events (fairs, conferences) • In April 06 SAFE-SI in co-operation with MISSS (Youth Informative Counselling Centre) participated at Twelfth Computer festival organised by Association of Technical Culture of Slovenia. Workshop: »ABCD INTERNET for adults - we know, what about you?«

9. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE • To organise regional interactive seminars for parents in 2007/2008. • To continue with education of teachers and school principles. • To organise nationalevent at SID 2008 with the support of MICROSOFT again. • The negotiations are going on with the largest mobile phone operator in Slovenia MOBITEL to sponsor the development of a special brochure associated with the topic of safer mobile phone usage. • The idea of organising special trainings for Slovenian Internet providers as regards Internet safety is under discussion. • The most popular Slovenian on-line community for young people “Glasuj zame” (Vote for me) is interested to participate with SAFE-SI in developing joint strategy for protecting the privacy and security of young users who are uploading their pictures at this portal.

10. MORE INFORMATION • WEBSITE: http://www.safe.si • CONTACT: Tanja Šterk, project coordinator, E-mail: tanja@ris.org Thank you for your attention!!!