Remid@, a response to the real needs of Milan's citizens
A physical and virtual space for the production and dissemination of cultural events: in recent days, Meet has been one of the venues for Milan Digital Week. The Fondazione Mondo Digitale, together with representatives from the Municipality of Milan, the Fondazione di Comunità Milano and MigliorAttivaMente, hosted an experiential workshop on the activities of the REMID@ - Making Milan Inclusive and Digital project.
After a welcome address by Laila Pavone, head of coordination for the Technological Innovation and Digital Transformation Board of the Municipality of Milan, the speakers got to the heart of the project.
"Essential services have undergone a major transformation over time, making initiatives aimed at citizens necessary for full inclusiveness. Today, thanks to our widespread presence in the local area, we can reach people who have difficulty accessing digital technology. For this reason, the Municipality of Milan has worked synergistically with third sector organisations to develop coordinated and unified action, which adopts neighbourhood centres as hubs for Remid@ activities. Already considered vital by the people of Milan, it has become a hub and reference point for digital literacy, combating all forms of exclusion,‘ said Francesco Pizzorni of the staff of the Councillor for Civic Services, Decentralisation and Participation. ’Milan boasts a very high level of digitalisation among its citizens, but no one can be left behind, because there can be no innovation without inclusion."
Elisabetta Gramatica, head of the Remid@ project, has announced a significant strengthening of the service: ‘The eleven locations that offer citizens training, digital helpdesks and services are backed by a strong local network. In the coming months, we will implement activities with the Lombardy Region's facilitation points, increasing the hours available.’ Giuseppe Pacelli, founder and president of the MigliorAttivaMente association, explained how the project focuses on the real needs of citizens: "We respond to requests for SPID and CIE activation, confirming that digital is a fourth dimension of existence that does not sacrifice sociality. For many, it is important to go to the help desks in person, but when this is not possible, online activities are essential. With Remid@, the public-private partnership has finally found its perfect implementation."
A group of senior citizens then took part in a practical session led by trainer Federico Peteani, focusing on online safety and the prevention of digital scams: how to recognise suspicious emails, fraudulent messages or deceptive websites, how to use Spid and Cie safely, and how to protect personal data when browsing on computers, tablets or smartphones. Federico engaged the participants with practical quizzes, using the data traffic light, an interactive game on privacy.
Remid@ is a project promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS, MigliorAttivaMente APS and the Municipality of Milan to provide an integrated response to the digital divide, on the one hand by strengthening user skills to encourage access to public and private digital services through digital facilitation activities, on the other hand, investing in digital training and awareness programmes to accompany the most vulnerable citizens in the safe, critical and effective use of new technologies for personal and professional purposes.
