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What is "The Digital Bridge" about?
"The Digital Bridge" is a young social enterprise aiming to narrow the digital divide
through educational activities in socio-economically challenged areas.
The project is led by university students who are alumni of the ITU Youth Forums and "Human Network" volunteers.
The basic idea is using the existing ICT infrastructure for development of human resources in the challenged areas.
As a result, "The Digital Bridge" concentrates on educational projects with kids giving them basic skills
in computer and Internet utilization. The uniqueness of "The Digital Bridge" is in approaching kids
in their own environment, entering their schools, and not taking the children to a third party's facilities.
The project began its activities in the academic year 2003-2004 in two elementary schools in Jaffa,
a suburb with mixed Jewish-Arab population:
Hassan Arafe (Arab) Elementary School in the Ajami neighborhood;
Hashmonaim (mostly Jewish) Elementary School in the Jaffa C neighborhood;
Although the two neighborhoods are within 7 minutes drive of each other,
there is almost no interaction between the population and between the students from both schools.
The decision to concentrate on these schools based on a deep belief that wise use of computer mediated
communication bears tremendous potential for intercultural dialogue and promotion of tolerance.
Starting "The Digital Bridge" was possible thanks to the generous support of ITU,
which donated the needed funds for tutors in the project. Since this was the first youth-led initiative
as a result of ITU Youth Forum, the support shown by ITU demonstrates great foresight and commitment
to the development of future leaders in the ICT industry.
The project is conducted in cooperation with the "Price Brodie Initiative in Jaffa" of Tel-Aviv University.
The "Price Brodie Initiative" has been active in Jaffa for several years conducting development
and educational projects in the quarter. As such, "Price Brodie Initiative" is familiar
with the real needs of people of Jaffa and served as mediator between the "Human Network" and schools.
Moreover, "Price Brodie" contributed its logistic infrastructure for operation of the "Digital Bridge".
Both participating schools played host to two groups of about 10 students each.
In their weekly meetings, and with the help of two Arabic or Hebrew-speaking tutors in each group,
the kids learned about computers and the Internet. Learning about search engines, e-mails, forums, etc.,
they were exposed to the variety of opportunities and the unlimited potential of Internet as an education
and communication tool.
The project founders have developed unique materials for "The Digital Bridge" workshops.
The materials were adapted to the previous knowledge of the children and to the specific environment
in which they live. Some creative ways of presentation were suggested in order to enrich the experience.
Moreover, after carefully selecting the tutors, the founders provided them with constant support and advice
throughout the project period.
"The Digital Bridge" was greatly appreciated by the participating children.
In the midterm evaluation it received an "excellent" mark from the participants in aspects of interest and satisfaction.
The students created their own websites, participated in forum discussions and exchanged e-mails with peers
in the other school. The communication component was extremely important for it allowed first contact
between Arab and Jewish kids to be free of expression of prejudges and stereotypes, thus building mutual trust,
which is a basic component of constructive dialogue and true friendship.
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