Innovative Solutions for an Inclusive World

In the framework of the Mind Inclusion final event, 3 European projects gathered during one webinar to highlight the need of inclusion and to promote innovation. Thus, on May 6^th 2021,  Mind Inclusion, MIICT, and FACE hosted the 4th MI20 Webinar, inviting great speakers and experts to have an interesting discussion titled: “Shaping inclusive societies: the promising path of innovation”.

When fighting for inclusion, the need to “leave no one behind” becomes stronger every day.

Thus, this event was meant to re-affirm the above-mentioned concept, to reflect on the role of innovation, having the latter as the focal point of the discussion.

Three experts lead the webinar, providing inspiring food for thoughts, and making the events of great interests:

• Michela Saretta, Psychologist, Cooperativa Margherita
• Kurt Abela, Service Coordinator, kellimni.com
• Florian Huber, Project Manager, SYNYO GmbH

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The importance of finding new opportunities through inclusive technology for those that are unheard is as essential as needed

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The three speakers have shed light not only on the opportunities, but also the risks, of using innovative tools to promote a sustainable and inclusive society. Benefitting from their professional experiences, guests speakers provided examples of innovative tools and strategies in support of people with disabilities, migrants, and youth.

Hence, the importance of finding new opportunities through inclusive technology for those that are unheard is as essential as needed. Indeed, as these people are less considered and not included within the society, digital tools could really improve integration, and provide them with devices that could allow them to interact and enjoy the benefits of technology in a safe way.

Finally, organisers would like to thank all the participants who participated in the discussion on inclusion and innovation.

If you are interested to know more on the projects, do not hesitate to follow them on social media and visit their website:

• Mind Inclusion 2.0: https://www.mindinclusion.eu/
• MIICT: https://www.miict.eu/
• FACE: https://face.oonion.eu/ 

About the projects:

Started in November 2018 and funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission, the Mind Inclusion 2.0 project aims to find sustainable and inclusive solutions that help caregivers improve their skills, on one hand, and allow disabled individuals to participate in the social life on the other hand. The APP that the project is developing wishes to help People with Disabilities to have access to public spaces and to exercise their rights. The project consortium gathers lead partner Margherita: Società Cooperativa Onlus (Italy) together with Polibienestar Research Institute, INTRAS Foundation (Spain), Social IT Software & Consulting Srl (Italy), Lietuvos sutrikusio intelekto zmoniu globos bendrija «Viltis» (Lithuania) and ALDA (France).

MIICT – ICT Enabled Public Services for Migration is a project funded by the European Commission through the Horizon 2020 program and addressing the challenge of migration integration through ICT-enabled solutions. Through a co-design approach with multidisciplinary stakeholders, MIICT project aims to provide migrants and refugees access to key public services, public agencies and NGOs with ICT enabled services and the necessary agency to take advantage of those services; as well as to promote inclusion and to reduce the potential for discrimination and bias. More information: https://www.miict.eu/

The FACE project is a project funded by the European Commission through the ERASMUS+ program. Based on the recognition that there is a lack of knowledge and tools on how to handle the increasing phenomenon of cyberbullying amongst teens and children the project aims at developing guidelines, materials, networks and innovative methodologies combining multidisciplinary artistic approaches to tackle this important issue. FACE is designed to involve the following different target groups (youth workers, students, parents, local authorities and other stakeholders) to design together tools to prevent and fight cyberbullying among youth. More information: https://face.oonion.eu/