Approximately 600 children learned 3D modeling, financial literacy, and built their own inclusive city as part of the marathon "Barrier-Free Dream City" organized by the online school DarwinLand. The project was realized with the support of Lenovo. Media outlet UA.NEWS spoke with Mykola Antoniuk, head of the commercial devices division at Lenovo in Ukraine about the company's support, and operational director of DarwinLand Oksana Khodoroh about the project's outcomes, the learning process, how to convey the complex topic of inclusivity to children, and how children today perceive barrier-free environments.
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Mykola Antoniuk, Head of the commercial devices division at Lenovo in Ukraine noted that supporting the "Barrier-Free Dream City" initiative is a continuation of Lenovo's values. The company places great emphasis on education, the development of the creative community, entrepreneurship, and socially important projects. Lenovo believes that new technologies can enhance societal well-being and drive the development of barrier-free environments. Why did Lenovo decide to support the initiative? How does it align with the company's values? Mykola Antoniuk: As a responsible business, Lenovo in Ukraine supports socially important projects across various areas: these include projects for educators, support for entrepreneurs, and the Ukrainian creative community, among others. Educational initiatives are one of our priority areas, as education is closely linked to technology: they can enhance, accelerate, and make learning easier and more engaging. We strive to make smart technologies accessible to all, and they can truly change the future for the better. Additionally, we support and share DarwinLand's strategy to make education modern, interactive, and adapted to our realities. The "Barrier-Free Dream City" program combines all these components. Why is it important to talk about inclusivity today? And why should we teach children its principles? Mykola Antoniuk: The issue of barrier-free environments has always been significant. However, we all understand that for Ukrainians, this issue has become even more pressing. As of September 2023, there were 40,000 people in Ukraine who had lost limbs. And this is just one category of individuals in need of "barrier-free" environments across all aspects of society: from employment to spatial organization. We believe that technology can help address contemporary challenges. Building a new future with equal opportunities, living in it, and setting norms and principles will be done by the generation that today are still children. Therefore, it is crucial to lay the groundwork for understanding inclusivity by presenting the complex topic in an understandable way. Why is it important to teach children practical skills and knowledge in design, modeling, and financial literacy? Mykola Antoniuk: Beyond the school curriculum, it is important and interesting for students to be introduced to the latest technologies that have potential in the market. This helps them to better determine their future career paths, broaden their horizons, and acquire in-demand tools and practical skills (such as