CIRA

MediaSmarts was pleased to welcome CIRA onboard as a new Silver Sponsor in 2009. As the organization that manages the .CA domain space, CIRA helps us to engage with the Canadian Internet community to promote the importance of digital literacy to Canada’s future.

In 2012, CIRA increased its support of MediaSmarts when it became the “Signature Program Funder” of our Young Canadians in a Wired World research. At the same time, CIRA extended its participation in the governance of MediaSmarts by joining our Board of Directors.

We look forward to building on our important relationship with CIRA through the development of digital literacy initiatives to benefit all Canadians.  Programs we have partnered with CIRA on include:

• Young Canadians in a Wired World (YCWW) research: MediaSmarts launched Phase III of this ongoing research project in 2010. The new phase includes qualitative research (teacher interviews and focus groups with parents and youth) and a national student survey. As the Signature Program Funder of YCWW, CIRA is providing financial support for the student survey, to be conducted in 2013.
• Canadian Internet Forum: In 2010 MediaSmarts partnered with CIRA on a series of digital literacy consultations with stakeholders in Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax. The regional consultations culminated in the Canadian Internet Forum – a national event held in Ottawa to discuss issues relating to the future of the Internet in Canada.
• Cyber security resources: MediaSmarts and CIRA have partnered on a series of resources – tip sheets and a teaching module – for consumers and students, to raise awareness of Internet security risks and steps Canadians can take to protect themselves and their computers online.