Activity profile: Stowarzyszenie Spoleczenstwa Wiedzy/SSW (Knowledge Society Ass.)

SSW is young think tank which started in 2006. The main goal of the association is improving quality of people’s life by bridging the digital divide. By bringing computers, Internet and other technologically advanced devices into people’s homes we would like to make them take part in society life, go back to professional environment.

We implemented in 2007 and 2008 two projects called Silver Internet 1 and 2 (Srebrny Internet) which were supposed to engage older people 50+ in using Internet, computers, mobile phones and digital cameras. First edition was implemented in 2007. Second one was held in second half of 2008. Elders took part in scholarships which were especially designated and designed to suit their needs. Moreover the classes were conducted by older people meaning 50+. We have a group of 30 well prepared and trained trainees. They were previously trained and given the template scholarships. This way we assured the quality level of trainings. Moreover by engaging elders we made students more relaxed and open to new technologies.
We have conducted since October 2008 Ladies’ Classes (Klasa Kobiet) which joins together ladies over 50 who share same problems and outlook. They meet together to discuss and help each other. They learn from themselves. What’s more there are classes on topic which is currently interesting to them and helpful. They solve social, psychological and educational problems. There are classes where psychologist comes and talks on behavioral or social issues. One can join discussion on security with policeman or catch up with currently popular artists. This project aims to make people go out and socialize to engage in others problems and together come to a solution.
Lastly we take part in creating professional reports for governmental and non-governmental institutions. One of those was on access to Internet in Polish libraries done for Foundation for Information Society Development. The second one – ‘Silver National Cohesion Strategy’ was for Ministry of Regional Development – we have prepared the research report on the use of structural funds 2004-2006 and 2007-2013 for trainings of seniors. In the third part of the report we research barriers of non-using new technologies. We have deep survey on seniors barriers of non using of ICTs and profiles of a senior user of ICT, especially computer, mobile phones and the Internet.
We are medium size NGO which would like to bring educational opportunities to the society and bridging digital divide. We have headquarter in Warsaw.

We are a partner in AAL project (Call 2) Go-on-line - My social Life (Go-my-life) as end user organization.