IBSA and Fondazione ASPI: together for the protection of children

As part of its commitment to social responsibility, IBSA started a collaboration with ASPI, Fondazione della Svizzera italiana per l’Aiuto, il Sostegno e la Protezione dell’Infanzia [“Italian Switzerland Foundation for the Help, Support and Protection of Children”]. Started in 2018, this partnership aims to support programmes and initiatives in the fight against violence against children, a global and complex issue that includes several forms of abuse and mistreatment. Indeed, when talking about violence we are referring to any form of abuse and coercion that is not limited to physical manifestations, but also extends to psychological forms. An example of this is cyberbullying, an increasingly worrying threat typical of the digital age.

FONDAZIONE ASPI’S MISSION

Fondazione ASPI – which has been active in the fight against violence against minors in Italian-speaking Switzerland since 1991 – focuses on primary prevention, raising awareness and implementing proactive training for children and families, providing them with a series of life skills essential for recognising critical situations and being able to defend themselves from possible abuse.

In Canton Ticino, ASPI’s prevention programmes reach every year around 7,000 children and kids from elementary and middle school. These paths are designed to provide young people with tools for protection and defence against violence, and families with the instruments to support children in the delicate period of growth.

ASPI’s programmes for the prevention of child abuse convey skills in the emotional and relational fields. In particular, the projects carried out by the Foundation are the following:

• Sono unica/o e preziosa/o! [“I am unique and precious!”] (from 2^nd grade): interactive educational path for the prevention of sexual abuse, which aims to transmit to children the fundamental skills that can help them protect themselves from possible sexual abuse and other forms of mistreatment.
• Dillo forte [“Say it loud”] (4^th and 5^th grade): consolidation programme for the prevention of mistreatment and sexual abuse of children, which aims to strengthen children’s life skills, as protection factors against sexual abuse and the maltreatment of minors.
• e-www@i! (involves children and teenagers between 9 and 18, with their teachers and parents): programme for the prevention of risks and the promotion of social skills while using Information and Communication Technologies.
• #Join4respect (involves children and kids between 9 and 13, with their teachers): programme aimed at promoting personal, social and relational skills within the class and preventing bullying and cyberbullying.
• Love Limits (involves teenagers between 14 and 16): programme for the prevention of sexual violence among adolescents and the promotion of good relationships and respect for oneself and others.
• Genitori senza confini [“Parents without borders”]: programme for the prevention of mistreatment and sexual abuse of children, which involves operators active within organisations and associations in contact with the migrant reality residing in Italian-speaking Switzerland and parents from a migrant background, whose children participate in ASPI activities at school.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A MINDFUL USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AMONG TEENAGERS

In addition to its partnership with ASPI, IBSA is committed to promoting a conscious management of social media among teenagers, also through some projects promoted by IBSA Foundation for scientific research.

The Happiness2.0 project, for example, led by researcher Laura Marciano, from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explores the impact of social media on the well-being of adolescents. The project includes a series of activities:

• HappyLab; creative workshops aimed at exploring the topic of well-being in the digital context, promoting reflection on subjective happiness, personality development and the importance of social relationships;
• HappyApero; an informal space for dialogue between teenagers, experts, parents and adults, fostering an open discussion on the challenges of the digital age;
• HappyTable; an event that offers stakeholders, teachers and high school directors a collective reflection on the activities carried out and an open debate on the results achieved.

Violence prevention requires an integrated approach that involves not only children, but also adults, institutions and the private sector. The partnership between IBSA and ASPI – together with the projects promoted by organisations such as IBSA Foundation for scientific research – is a concrete example of how companies can contribute to the information and awareness of society, not only through financing but also through proximity of values, social responsibility, objectives and common paths.

By continuing to work together, we can make a difference in the fight against violence, to contribute to a better world!