My NECE's sustainable challenge

What motivates me to be a part of MyNewEurope?

I get to know NECE and MyNewEurope through the Honours Program of my bachelor in Erasmus University. The idea of citizenship education and knowledge exchange truly interested me, because as a student of media and communication department I have been always encouraged to stay updated with current issues and come up with innovative ideas. The format of a transnational forum that can connect young people with bigger organizations caught my full attention, because this is where everyone can be heard in equal stance. Moreover the topic of COVID-19 is very urgent and appeals to me, because I have lived in 2 different countries with different strategies against the virus during this pandemic, which have provoked a lot of critical thoughts about the issue in my mind. Therefore, I believe joining the forum can fulfil my curiosity, as well as help to expand my understanding about what is actually happening in Europe and share my ideas with other people.

The project

From the beginning of 2020, COVID-19 has changed the world dramatically and increased level of inequalities. With negative consequences in social and economic issues, the pandemic has exposed our society’s weaknesses, including unequal access to healthcare services, loss of work, and digital divide. In Europe, several population groups with the lowest income still have difficulties in accessing healthcare services. Shrinking economy has led to losses of work in every continent. Due to school closures, digital divides resulted in some children not being able to receive distance learning due to lack of Internet access.

Sustainable development is only effective when no one is left behind, especially during the global crisis. In 2015, the United Nations publicized 17 sustainable development goals, among which one of them is “reduced equalities”. Building on this, my idea is to run a website as a space for constantly updated information, public discussion and support for people who have limited resources to continue living in the post pandemic world.

"leave no one behind"

Everyone is encouraged to use the website, however targeted audiences are vulnerable people, as well as those who know people suffering from certain disadvantages during the pandemic and willing to provide supports (voluntary individuals or NGOs).

The website will contain 3 main pages including information, online forum and contact. Information page is where updates on current issues about inequalities are presented in the form of infographics or explainer videos, making it more comprehensible for people from different age groups and educational levels. Lengthy academic reports and highly professional words will be avoided. Additionally, an online international forum is also created for debates about specific topics related to inequalities where everyone can raise their voice. The forum can be organized in multiple ways, either in an online interactive conference or an open discussion where people can type their opinions with involvements of experts. Most importantly, the contact of supporting organizations which serves as a ‘help’ button will also be available on the website. The button makes it possible for the vulnerable groups to directly ask for supports.

In order to run the website, two core teams of technical issues and content are needed to work together, with people from different countries to ensure diverse viewpoints in developing the project. They will need financial supports from NGOs or other non-partisan institutions, in addition to paid advertisements that run on the website. In the long run, the website can also be made into a mobile app if it is well-received by users.

Again, the idea of this website is to open a space where vulnerable people are specifically cared for.

Although the website being suitable in the social distancing period is a plus, there are chances that disadvantaged people might not have the Internet or technical devices to access the website. This is identified as the main weakness of this project. However, other people, on behalf of these disadvantaged groups, can refer them to organizations that provide supports. This is when the power of society comes into play.