Summary

The challenge
Triangle aims to make the digital world more accessible to young people in (closed) institutions. Young people, but also adults and professionals, can develop better in a closed environment if they are given the opportunity to use modern communication, presentation and information techniques.

Our promise
All young people who do not live at home have access to the digital world. Where it is limited, we provide them with tailored access through our secure online Triangle platform.

What are we doing?
Triangle is a collaboration of organizations from three European countries. Through Triangle, we develop digital learning systems to which existing education systems are aligned. The aim is to make digital (vocational) education, finding information about different professions and improving online skills more accessible in closed (youth) institutions. We combine our knowledge and perspectives to design an innovative, tailor-made blended learning environment for all closed (youth) institutions.

Digital inclusion
Digital communication is part of everything we do: at work, at leisure and at school. Young people themselves indicate that access to the digital world is essential, both for their lives now and for their future. The internet is extra important for children and young people in (closed) institutions. Access is necessary to gain knowledge and to make future plans aimed at returning to society. It is a means to (continue to) follow (vocational) education, to find information, to find help and to maintain contact with family. However, digital inclusion is not yet self-evident in closed (youth) institutions. As a result, those who stay longer fall behind in terms of 21st Century Skills.

Children’s and human rights
The rights from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are (also) applicable in the digital world. In General Comment No. 25, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child indicates the obligations this entails for States. The starting point is the non-discrimination principle, on the basis of which all under 18 (including children who have been deprived of their liberty) have equal access to the digital world. This means that governments are expected to develop legislation, policies and programs to prevent digital exclusion. For (youth) institutions it is important that a good infrastructure is available to give children and young people access to basic digital facilities: electricity, connectivity, digital (vocational) education material and support from trained professionals.

Guidelines, such as the Child-friendly Guidelines of the Council of Europe, also recognize that the right to information and participation means that children should be given access to the internet within the justice system so that they can develop and fully participate in society.

In addition, the Council of Europe has indicated in recommendations from 1989 that (all) prisoners have the right to education. In a 2020 resolution on access to digital technologies, the Council adds that this right also includes access to and training in the use of modern digital information technologies.

Activities
In three countries (the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal) a Triangle Platform is being set up that gives young people in closed institutions access to the digital world. In 2023 and 2024,
Some of the activities in this project will be:

  • Setting up the digital environment.
  • Piloting with the different target groups and proffesionals.
  • Multiplier events in the partners countries.

Results
The following results will be achieved over a three-year period:

  • Access to the Internet in closed environments;
  • Further development of an innovative digital learning environment for young people and (young) adults in closed institutions.
  • Collaboration with schools in developing the platform and learning pathways;
  • Providing sufficient support to closed institutions, so that they can, for example, recruit training coordinators for the development of digital (vocational) education.

Impact
The name Triangle stands for the triangle that connects the three elements of the project: people, platform and program. The intended impact is that participants in a closed (youth) institution have sufficient twenty-first century skills via the innovative platform, which promotes the chance of successful reintegration into society and reduces the chance of recidivism.