The Centre for Missing and Abused Children from Osijek has received the Croatian Security Grand Prix award as part of the Croatian Security Days event held from 26 to 29 September in Opatija. This is an award given out by the Croatian Association of Security Managers in a total of 12 categories, and the Centre for Missing and Abused Children triumphed in the category Best NGO Project for Community Security for its book series “Fairy Tales in the Digital World”.
Tomislav Ramljak, Director of The Centre for Missing and Abused Children, Maja Pavelić Opuhač, Vice president of Croatian Association of Security Managers
“We thank the jury for this award on behalf of the entire expert team at the Centre! We believe that internet security should be taught from the youngest ages, and the idea behind ‘Fairy Tales in the Digital World’ is to ensure the proper development of both children and adults, as many adults have told us that they cannot comprehend the scope of dangers and security risks on the internet. Through these storybooks, we have used the beloved fairy tales like Pinocchio, The Three Little Pigs, and The Ugly Duckling, to engage children and adults through questions and tasks, and to teach them how to keep safe online. Tools are available, but the best way to keep children safe is through prevention,” said Tomislav Ramljak, Centre director, upon accepting the award in the Hotel Kvarner Crystal Ballroom.
The collection of stories contained within the “Fairy Tales in the Digital World” series are the fruit of collaboration between the Centre for Missing and Abused Children and the IT company Combis, which gave financial support for the illustrations and printing. All proceeds from the sale of these storybooks goes to the Centre for Missing and Abused Children, which runs the National Centre for a Safer Internet. The storybooks can be purchased in Tisak Media Centre and Školska Knjiga bookshops.
“Children are the most vulnerable group online, and they should be taught from the earliest ages about the dangers lurking there. We are exceptionally proud of yet another award for our educational campaign about online dangers, and I am pleased to announce that the next storybook in the series, Little Red Riding Hood, will be published this holiday season, and another charity event by our employees will be held,” said Maja Markulin Klarić, director of Digital Innovations at Combis.
Work of the National Centre for a Safer Internet awarded by the jury
In addition to the “Fairy Tales in the Digital World” series, the Centre impressed the jury with the programme of the National Centre for a Safer Internet. The Centre was opened in 2015 and is focused on security and protecting children and youth online. It operates as a toll-free Helpline at 0800 606 606, every day from 8 am to 4 pm. The helpline provides help and support in the case of internet violence, gives advice on how to stay protected online and how to safely use the internet, and tips and advice on what to do and how to handle inappropriate content or contacts on the internet. The Centre for a Safer Internet has also launched the Hotline for reporting illegal content on the internet, where people can anonymously report illegal content, with the aim of creating a safer online environment for all ages.
Members of the Centre are experts in the field of computer science, programming, forensics, computer forensics, law, education, and psychology. The Centre is focused on creating and developing prevention programmes and projects, and its work is dedicated to raising awareness, informing, educating people, and protection.
About the Croatian Security Grand Prix
The Croatian Association of Security Managers (HUMS) created this award in 2010 with the aim of recognising individuals, businesses and institutions, and the local community – everyone involved in creating and developing security in the Republic of Croatia. The Croatian Security Grand Prix was first awarded in 2011. The jury for the Croatian Security Grand Prix is made up of: chair Professor Dr. Vlatko Cvrtila, and members Professor Dr. Božo Skoko, Dr. Valentina Kranželić, Dr. Krunoslav Borovac, journalist Ana Raić Knežević, and HUMS representative Alen Ostojić.
