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Eliminating the Digital Divide

The Big Issue Japan Foundation Partnership Project

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In FY 2007, NEC and partners "The Big Issue Japan Foundation," an NPO supporting the self-reliance of homeless people, and "Shingawa IT Supporters," a group assisting older adults and persons with disabilities in becoming computer literate, started a PC course for "The Big Issue" magazine vendors to teach them IT skills useful in re-entering the job market. "The Big Issue" is published twice monthly and strives for the independence of people from homeless situations.

Participants start off by learning how to turn on a PC and input characters and then acquire basic IT communication skills such as e-mail and SNS (Social Networking Service). Re-connecting with society through "IT" in this way is a significant goal of this course.

In addition to the existing PC course, the practical IT training course "'Big Issue' Email Sales Project" started on a trial basis in 2008.
Vendors receive an order for "The Big Issue" via e-mail from an intermediary called a "communication supporter" and then mail off the magazine to the customer.

In FY2010, "NEC IT CONNECTION Course for Homeless People" to learn IT and communication skills using IT they learned was held.

Comments from Participants

  • I learned how to exchange e-mail in this PC club. I’d like to exchange mail with an even wider variety of people. I enjoyed the course.
  • I really enjoy writing a journal this way. It seems I have found something to loose myself in. I can’t imagine life without a PC. So it’s me and PCs forever now.
  • I’m exchanging mails today. A new world opens up again. I look forward to what’s next.
  • I discovered the pleasure of learning. A PC is useful in various ways.
  • I would like to sell many magazines by e-mail.

Related Links

A link is opened in a new window.The Big Issue Japan Foundation