The Surf Smart Program, developed in partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), started out as a pilot program in a few European countries in 2011. The goal of Surf Smart is to teach girls and young women about online risks and how to protect themselves on the internet. In just five years, due to the success of the curriculum, the program has expanded globally andwill reach almost 200,000 girls and young women across Europe, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and India!
In June we announced the most recent expansion of Surf Smart into Latin America, the Caribbean, and India and we are now excited to share the stories of the program kicking off in the various regions around the world! Official launch events have taken place in India, Argentina, Costa Rica and are quickly spreading across Central and South America!
The first “trainer the trainer” event was in Argentina on July 27th in the city of Mar del Plata. The Asociación de Guías Argentinas (Argentine Guides Association) launched the Surf Smart program at the 2015 National Meeting where all the nine regional groups gathered together. At this meeting, 130 leaders were trained and are now ready to deliver the program!
They ladies also produced and uploaded a fun video of their Annual Meeting:
In July, the Bharat Scouts and Guides (BS&G) in India launched their first national Surf Smart Train the Trainer event. Participants came from all five regions of India and included volunteers and Regional Organizing Commissioners that will be coordinating and administering the program in their respective locations. The three day workshop prepared the leaders to deliver the curriculum to the Bharat Scouts and Guides across the country. The participants were enthusiastic about the program and the practical elements that will teach the scouts and guides how to remain safe online. One leader shared her support stating, “After going through the curriculum we realize we can talk about web safety to children and youth without using much technical language, [and] the activities and tools make it fun-based learning.”
The Bharat Scouts and Guides Surf Smart curriculum has been translated into six regional languages including Hindi, Marathi, Odiya, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam and will cover 44 states. They plan to reach 40,000 Girl Guides and 40,000 Scout members by March 2016.
“Considering the massive numbers of internet users in India and around the world, the Surf Smart project comes across as a need-of-the-hour project that focuses on web safety and encourages the masses to connect online safely. We are grateful to WAGGGS and Symantec for this exceptional opportunity for our Girl Guides and Scouts” said Mr. B.I. Nagarale, the Chief National Commissioner of the Bharat Scouts and Guides.
Symantec India will also be getting involved! BS&G plans to work closely with Symantec India to deliver upcoming regional events that will be taking place in key IT cities of India such as Pune, Bangalore and Chennai.
National Commissioners and Trainers attending the Training of Trainers event Delhi, July 2015
From Costa Rica to Paraguay, the Surf Smart program has launched across Latin America! The regional leaders from all over Latin America are starting to deliver the program to the scouts so they can earn their 'Surf Smart' Navegación Inteligente badge.
#CONNECT #PROTECT # RESPECT – the three themes for the Surf Smart program.
The Latin American Surf Smart Facebook page is streaming with pictures and daily updates of all women leaders, girls and young women learning about how to be safe online.
After celebrating the 100 anniversary of Scouting in Costa Rica, over 230 Guides and Scouts from all across the country came together on July 11th for the launch of 'Surf Smart, Navegación Inteligente', led by the Executives of the Association. Dulce Nájera the Coordinator 'SurfSmart' program for Latin America and the Caribbean joined the Guides and Scouts of Costa Rica for the launch of this program. During the workshop the participants learned about three themes of the program: connect positively online, protect themselves from online risks, and respect their rights and reputation online. At the conclusion of the event each scout and guide gained their badge of completion!
The Costa Rica Scouts and Guides learning to Surf Smart!
The Girl Guides Association of Paraguay hosted the Surf Smart program on July 24th – 26th in the City of Hugua Hü, Cordillera during the 2015 Winter Camp and they have completed the six activities needed to gain the Smart Surf badge.
Surf Smart in Paraguay!
And in Colombia and Panama, the Scout and Guides leaders have completed their training and are now ready to share the lessons and implement the program!
The leaders learning in Colombia (above) and in Panama (below).
We’re so excited to share these amazing Surf Smart Program stories from all around the world! Congratulations to all the Scouts and Guides that have gained their Surf Smart badge!
If you would like to learn more about how Symantec’s corporate responsibility initiatives contact us at corporate_responsibility@symantec.com