Center for Missing and Exploited Children (CNZD) and partners A1 Croatia and Algebra University signed a contract today in Osijek for the implementation of activities to educate children and youth about the proper and safer use of the internet. The project titled ‘SIC – CRO: Safer Internet Centre Croatia’ is worth more than one million euros, of which 50 percent is co-financed from European funds. This is its third co-financing from EU funds and relates to the period over the next 18 months.
The contract was officially signed by Tomislav Ramljak, the director and one of the founders of the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Dejan Turk, CEO of A1 Croatia, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mislav Balković, rector of Algebra University. The goal of the project is to provide support to the National Centre for Safer Internet Croatia (CSI) through comprehensive information on internet safety, educational resources, public awareness tools, and citizen counseling.
– Our goal is clear – to help every child facing online bullying or at risk of becoming a victim. The statistics are alarming. This project, of which we are the unique holders in Croatia for the third time, represents a step forward in our mission. We will unite experts, expand knowledge and capacities, and work together with partners to raise awareness among children, parents, and all those who work with children. Education is key – we will show them how and where to seek help. Together we will make the internet a safer place for every user – said Tomislav Ramljak.
CNZD will continue to monitor internet safety trends and raise awareness of risks for children and youth through educational projects, expert gatherings, and other activities aimed at raising awareness of potential dangers on the internet.
– As a company, we are very focused on the topic of safety in the online world. This is not just part of our strategy but something we truly ‘live’ as a company, permeating all areas of our business. Proof of this is our campaign #BoljiOnline, which we are conducting in collaboration with the Centre for Safer Internet, and the fact that this is the third EU grant we have received as partners for the implementation of activities to educate children and youth about the proper and safer use of the internet. We hope that through our collaboration and activities we will reach young people, their parents, and the professional public and that we will continue to work together to achieve a better online world. Technology is a great thing when we use it responsibly – emphasized Dejan Turk.
– Algebra University is a proud partner of this project. As part of it, our experts will work on organizing educational activities for schools, parents, children, and youth on the topic of responsible behavior on the internet, and in collaboration with partners, we will develop an interactive and stimulating online platform, where children will be able to learn how to make the online world safe for themselves and their loved ones through game elements. Through joint campaigns aimed at raising awareness of how widespread online violence, social exclusion, and other forms of violation of the rights of children and youth are, we will educate the wider public about this important challenge of modern times with our partners. Our experts in the Department of Cybersecurity will use their expertise to assist in project activities aimed at preventing risky behavior among youth and children on the internet, while our cybersecurity students will participate in youth panels where positive and negative online experiences will be discussed, based on which recommendations will be formulated on how experts can help them with cybersecurity challenges – said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mislav Balković.
