Blog
4 March 2025 // Solidarity
Read-Aloud Event Against Gender-Based Violence, Organized by Libreria Dudi and Le Onde ETS
We are sharing, as participants, this meaningful event organized by Libreria Dudi, a key reference among independent bookstores in Palermo, and Le Onde ETS, an association active since 1992 in the prevention and fight against violence towards women and minors. The event will take place on Thursday, March 13, at 6:00 PM and will feature a relay-style read-aloud session, where selected titles from ANDERSEN, the renowned magazine and award dedicated to children's literature, will be read. These books focus on violence against women, the fight against stereotypes, and the defense of fundamental rights. Some of our members will be attending as part of the audience... join us! This event is also part of an important initiative by the Fondazione Giulia Cecchettin, making it another valuable way to contribute to the cause.
Read-Aloud Event Against Gender-Based Violence, Organized by Libreria Dudi and Le Onde ETS
We are sharing, as participants, this meaningful event organized by Libreria Dudi, a key reference among independent bookstores in Palermo, and Le Onde ETS, an association active since 1992 in the prevention and fight against violence towards women and minors. The event will take place on Thursday, March 13, at 6:00 PM and will feature a relay-style read-aloud session, where selected titles from ANDERSEN, the renowned magazine and award dedicated to children's literature, will be read. These books focus on violence against women, the fight against stereotypes, and the defense of fundamental rights. Some of our members will be attending as part of the audience... join us! This event is also part of an important initiative by the Fondazione Giulia Cecchettin, making it another valuable way to contribute to the cause.
7 February 2025 // Projects & Association
New Courses for 2025! Parental Digital Mediation & Inclusive Communication (Second Edition)
With the start of the new year, we are launching two new training opportunities, beginning in May 2025 (always free and scheduled in the late afternoon). The first course will focus on Parental Digital Mediation: a training and workshop-based program dedicated to combating digital addiction and promoting healthy and mindful gaming within the family environment. This is the first implementation of our Gaming and Parents project, entirely designed to provide practical tools and skills to help parents and caregivers manage young people's relationship with the digital world. Then, also starting in May, we will launch the second edition of the Inclusive Communication course for the LGBTIQA+ community. Read the blog entry to learn more!
New Courses for 2025! Parental Digital Mediation & Inclusive Communication (Second Edition)
With the start of the new year, we are launching two new training opportunities, beginning in May 2025 (always free and scheduled in the late afternoon). The first course will focus on Parental Digital Mediation: a training and workshop-based program dedicated to combating digital addiction and promoting healthy and mindful gaming within the family environment. This is the first implementation of our Gaming and Parents project, entirely designed to provide practical tools and skills to help parents and caregivers manage young people's relationship with the digital world. Then, also starting in May, we will launch the second edition of the Inclusive Communication course for the LGBTIQA+ community. Read the blog entry to learn more!
10 January 2025 // Projects
Final Session of the Inclusive Communication Workshops for the LGBTIQA+ Community in Tutoring and Care Contexts
On January 27 at 6:00 PM, in a blended format, we will hold the final session of the online workshop series Pitch Perfect, our project aimed at enhancing the communication skills of counselors, psychologists, and tutors working with individuals from the LGBTIQA+ community. This last workshop will focus on affirmative methodologies and practices, as well as cultural competence, both rooted in the Anglo-American tradition. Additionally, at the end of the session, we will review and discuss together the first operational draft of the illustrated playing cards developed by our partner Stichting Art.1, designed to foster inclusive counseling environments through visual tools. Join us!
Final Session of the Inclusive Communication Workshops for the LGBTIQA+ Community in Tutoring and Care Contexts
On January 27 at 6:00 PM, in a blended format, we will hold the final session of the online workshop series Pitch Perfect, our project aimed at enhancing the communication skills of counselors, psychologists, and tutors working with individuals from the LGBTIQA+ community. This last workshop will focus on affirmative methodologies and practices, as well as cultural competence, both rooted in the Anglo-American tradition. Additionally, at the end of the session, we will review and discuss together the first operational draft of the illustrated playing cards developed by our partner Stichting Art.1, designed to foster inclusive counseling environments through visual tools. Join us!
10 December 2024 // Association
Libri in Cerchio: A Reading Initiative for Cognitive (Dis)ability
On December 17 and 18, in the afternoon, Close in the Distance is organizing two sessions dedicated to reading aloud for neurodivergent readers. These reading workshops are designed to make contemporary narrative texts more accessible through the use of stimulus books and facilitated read-aloud techniques. The initiative is free of charge and is made possible through collaboration with local independent publishing houses, with the goal of making reading accessible to all. These two sessions are open not only to our members but also to individuals with cognitive (dis)abilities, their families and caregivers, and anyone interested in taking part in psychoeducational activities that offer a different approach to engagement and inclusion.
It will be a wonderful opportunity to share stories, explore new narratives, and build connections in a welcoming environment!
Libri in Cerchio: A Reading Initiative for Cognitive (Dis)ability
On December 17 and 18, in the afternoon, Close in the Distance is organizing two sessions dedicated to reading aloud for neurodivergent readers. These reading workshops are designed to make contemporary narrative texts more accessible through the use of stimulus books and facilitated read-aloud techniques. The initiative is free of charge and is made possible through collaboration with local independent publishing houses, with the goal of making reading accessible to all. These two sessions are open not only to our members but also to individuals with cognitive (dis)abilities, their families and caregivers, and anyone interested in taking part in psychoeducational activities that offer a different approach to engagement and inclusion.
It will be a wonderful opportunity to share stories, explore new narratives, and build connections in a welcoming environment!
19 November 2024 // Projects
At the Istituto degli Innocenti in Florence for the kick-off of Adventures are better shared!
After such a long time, we were thrilled to take part in both kick-off days organized by the Erasmus+ National Agency. These sessions provided invaluable tools for managing a project effectively, as well as the opportunity to meet all the other beneficiary organizations and their representatives.
We spoke and presented Adventures are better shared! focusing primarily on two key concepts: EduGaming and the Northern European culture of (video)gaming in educational contexts, designed for and with adult learners.
The best part of the meeting? Besides the beauty of Florence in full autumn, it was the chance to compare projects that were often very different from one another, as well as organizations that were incredibly diverse—and to learn from each other, even if just for a while.
At the Istituto degli Innocenti in Florence for the kick-off of Adventures are better shared!
After such a long time, we were thrilled to take part in both kick-off days organized by the Erasmus+ National Agency. These sessions provided invaluable tools for managing a project effectively, as well as the opportunity to meet all the other beneficiary organizations and their representatives.
We spoke and presented Adventures are better shared! focusing primarily on two key concepts: EduGaming and the Northern European culture of (video)gaming in educational contexts, designed for and with adult learners.
The best part of the meeting? Besides the beauty of Florence in full autumn, it was the chance to compare projects that were often very different from one another, as well as organizations that were incredibly diverse—and to learn from each other, even if just for a while.
10 November 2024 // Projects
If you are a psychologist, tutor, or counselor, help us gather data on how inclusive your communication is with LGBTIQA+ people
We’ve reached the second session of our blended/online workshops for Pitch Perfect, our project aimed at enhancing the cross-disciplinary skills of psychologists, counselors, tutors, and, more generally, facilitators and trainers in the field of LGBTIQA+ inclusion, focusing on lexicon, language, and cultural competence. Registrations are always open (you can find the link and all the info inside or on EPALE), and we have a full schedule of topics and meetings ahead.
With that said, if you are a psychologist, tutor, counselor, educator, or trainer (essentially, if you’re involved in guidance, tutoring, education, and/or continuous training in any way), would you help us expand our data collection?
An essential part of the work we’re doing with Pitch Perfect is, quite literally, understanding how much those involved in these fields know about LGBTIQA+ inclusion in a broad sense, how important they consider it, and much more.
If you are a psychologist, tutor, or counselor, help us gather data on how inclusive your communication is with LGBTIQA+ people
We’ve reached the second session of our blended/online workshops for Pitch Perfect, our project aimed at enhancing the cross-disciplinary skills of psychologists, counselors, tutors, and, more generally, facilitators and trainers in the field of LGBTIQA+ inclusion, focusing on lexicon, language, and cultural competence. Registrations are always open (you can find the link and all the info inside or on EPALE), and we have a full schedule of topics and meetings ahead.
With that said, if you are a psychologist, tutor, counselor, educator, or trainer (essentially, if you’re involved in guidance, tutoring, education, and/or continuous training in any way), would you help us expand our data collection?
An essential part of the work we’re doing with Pitch Perfect is, quite literally, understanding how much those involved in these fields know about LGBTIQA+ inclusion in a broad sense, how important they consider it, and much more.
24 October 2024 // Solidarity
Contribute to a journey to support CasaNepal!
One of the most beautiful things that has happened to us so far is meeting people who are genuinely working to make a difference, not only in Italy but around the world. These same people, who have participated and still participate in some of our educational workshops, have shared their experiences in Nepal, where they are involved in a project by the volunteer association Apeiron. This organization has built and operates centers for women victims of violence in Nepal and, after the 2015 earthquake, founded CasaNepal in Kathmandu.
These people are raising funds for a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, specifically to support CasaNepal.
We have contributed. If you want, you can too!
Contribute to a journey to support CasaNepal!
One of the most beautiful things that has happened to us so far is meeting people who are genuinely working to make a difference, not only in Italy but around the world. These same people, who have participated and still participate in some of our educational workshops, have shared their experiences in Nepal, where they are involved in a project by the volunteer association Apeiron. This organization has built and operates centers for women victims of violence in Nepal and, after the 2015 earthquake, founded CasaNepal in Kathmandu.
These people are raising funds for a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, specifically to support CasaNepal.
We have contributed. If you want, you can too!
20 October 2024 // Association
We attended the "Navigare tra i Processi" Congress, organized by the Italian Society of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy.
On October 18th and 19th, just outside Palermo (in Isola delle Femmine), the "Navigare tra i Processi" Congress took place, organized by the Italian Society of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT-Italia). The Congress featured a wide range of presentations and workshops across both days and was open to CBT-Italia members as well as, more generally, to psychologists, therapists, doctors, and psychology university students.
We participated both as CBT psychotherapists and as Close in the Distance, promoting and sharing the work we are doing on Pitch Perfect.
We attended the "Navigare tra i Processi" Congress, organized by the Italian Society of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy.
On October 18th and 19th, just outside Palermo (in Isola delle Femmine), the "Navigare tra i Processi" Congress took place, organized by the Italian Society of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT-Italia). The Congress featured a wide range of presentations and workshops across both days and was open to CBT-Italia members as well as, more generally, to psychologists, therapists, doctors, and psychology university students.
We participated both as CBT psychotherapists and as Close in the Distance, promoting and sharing the work we are doing on Pitch Perfect.
5 October 2024 // Projects
Free workshops on LGBTIQA+ terminology, affirmative practices, and inclusive counseling will take place from October 7 to December 16, 2024.
What is the relationship between communication and discrimination? How can inclusive language be put into practice? This is how we introduced our EPALE Entry, along with the heading "Words Matter," to announce and invite (also) the Italian EPALE Community to the blended workshops of Pitch Perfect, our project dedicated to developing pathways and resources to enhance the linguistic and communication skills of counselors, psychologists, tutors, and facilitators when it comes to speaking with, guiding, or supporting LGBTIQA+ people of all ages. Beyond promoting the workshops, it is also very important for us to develop a broader networking process directly on EPALE, the EU’s adult education platform, to reach beyond our existing networks and engage with other organizations, whether Italian or European.
Free workshops on LGBTIQA+ terminology, affirmative practices, and inclusive counseling will take place from October 7 to December 16, 2024.
What is the relationship between communication and discrimination? How can inclusive language be put into practice? This is how we introduced our EPALE Entry, along with the heading "Words Matter," to announce and invite (also) the Italian EPALE Community to the blended workshops of Pitch Perfect, our project dedicated to developing pathways and resources to enhance the linguistic and communication skills of counselors, psychologists, tutors, and facilitators when it comes to speaking with, guiding, or supporting LGBTIQA+ people of all ages. Beyond promoting the workshops, it is also very important for us to develop a broader networking process directly on EPALE, the EU’s adult education platform, to reach beyond our existing networks and engage with other organizations, whether Italian or European.
18 September 2024 // Projects
Video Games for Tutors and Educators, an Italian-Scandinavian Project!
What is this videogame education, or edugaming? Let’s take a step back and look from another perspective.
For quite some time now, in countries like Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland—whose educational traditions are renowned for their holistic approach—education through video games is not seen merely as a form of entertainment but as a tool for promoting cognitive, emotional, social skills, and much more.
... We’re not only talking about educational games, serious games, or "educational" versions of more or less popular titles, like MinecraftEdu.
It’s also about playing together (or having people play) a commercial title. And then reflecting on it. And with Adventures are better shared! we will promote this type of educational culture.
Video Games for Tutors and Educators, an Italian-Scandinavian Project!
What is this videogame education, or edugaming? Let’s take a step back and look from another perspective.
For quite some time now, in countries like Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland—whose educational traditions are renowned for their holistic approach—education through video games is not seen merely as a form of entertainment but as a tool for promoting cognitive, emotional, social skills, and much more.
... We’re not only talking about educational games, serious games, or "educational" versions of more or less popular titles, like MinecraftEdu.
It’s also about playing together (or having people play) a commercial title. And then reflecting on it. And with Adventures are better shared! we will promote this type of educational culture.
5 July 2024 // Association
We were guests of Progetto Itaca ;D
Yes, we are huge supporters of online and virtual activities and everything that can happen on the web, but this doesn’t mean that networking, interacting with, and learning from other non-profit organizations in our home territories isn’t one of the things we value most. Since we’re all somewhat scattered between Milan and Palermo… and everywhere in between, it’s extremely important for us to strengthen and also showcase our working methods, who we are, and what we do—especially to those who have been in our cities for a long time, carrying out crucial activities and providing essential services.
On July 4th, we spent almost the entire morning as guests of Progetto Itaca, a true institution in social promotion and volunteerism in Palermo. Thanks again to everyone who welcomed us and for explaining your work with such passion!
We were guests of Progetto Itaca ;D
Yes, we are huge supporters of online and virtual activities and everything that can happen on the web, but this doesn’t mean that networking, interacting with, and learning from other non-profit organizations in our home territories isn’t one of the things we value most. Since we’re all somewhat scattered between Milan and Palermo… and everywhere in between, it’s extremely important for us to strengthen and also showcase our working methods, who we are, and what we do—especially to those who have been in our cities for a long time, carrying out crucial activities and providing essential services.
On July 4th, we spent almost the entire morning as guests of Progetto Itaca, a true institution in social promotion and volunteerism in Palermo. Thanks again to everyone who welcomed us and for explaining your work with such passion!
7 March 2024 // In-Depth Insights
Digital Art, Digital Art Therapy, and Artivism: What Are They?
Not just gaming! Inclusion through digital and virtual platforms and tools can take many forms. Educational digital art, understood as the use of digital art tools for activities like self-expression, through creative software of varying levels of complexity, is exactly this. We, too, are exploring this field, which spans from art therapy to pure and simple creativity, and even to artivism. We’re learning a lot, especially thanks to our collaboration with Stichting Art. 1, our partner in the Pitch Perfect project and something of a "mentor" in developing our illustrated card kit.
Our focus is on the link between digital art, online inclusion, and self-representation: essentially, creating and representing oneself online—through something as simple as an avatar, for example—as a way to explore and express oneself, who we were, and who we want to be.
Digital Art, Digital Art Therapy, and Artivism: What Are They?
Not just gaming! Inclusion through digital and virtual platforms and tools can take many forms. Educational digital art, understood as the use of digital art tools for activities like self-expression, through creative software of varying levels of complexity, is exactly this. We, too, are exploring this field, which spans from art therapy to pure and simple creativity, and even to artivism. We’re learning a lot, especially thanks to our collaboration with Stichting Art. 1, our partner in the Pitch Perfect project and something of a "mentor" in developing our illustrated card kit.
Our focus is on the link between digital art, online inclusion, and self-representation: essentially, creating and representing oneself online—through something as simple as an avatar, for example—as a way to explore and express oneself, who we were, and who we want to be.
21 December 2023 // In-Depth Insights
Parental Digital Mediation and Family Gaming: New Ideas and Perspectives
Recently, a few months ago, we developed a new project proposal on a theme that, despite appearances, differs slightly from Edugaming and from approaches and methods that, to simplify, use contemporary, commercial digital video games as a "tool" within well-defined, structured activities. In other words, using gaming as an interlude or additional resource within any educational process, for example.
Above all, is everything black or white? Sure, gaming is an important resource for us (and for many others worldwide), but… what about digital addiction? Parental control? If we read pro-gaming articles, these aspects are hardly mentioned. On the other hand, resources highlighting the negative aspects of video games rarely mention the benefits of a couple of hours spent on a console. Is there no middle ground? ;D
Parental Digital Mediation and Family Gaming: New Ideas and Perspectives
Recently, a few months ago, we developed a new project proposal on a theme that, despite appearances, differs slightly from Edugaming and from approaches and methods that, to simplify, use contemporary, commercial digital video games as a "tool" within well-defined, structured activities. In other words, using gaming as an interlude or additional resource within any educational process, for example.
Above all, is everything black or white? Sure, gaming is an important resource for us (and for many others worldwide), but… what about digital addiction? Parental control? If we read pro-gaming articles, these aspects are hardly mentioned. On the other hand, resources highlighting the negative aspects of video games rarely mention the benefits of a couple of hours spent on a console. Is there no middle ground? ;D
31 October 2023 // Projects
We went to Florence to participate in the introductory days for beneficiaries organized by the National E+ Agency!
Starting from the beginning… our project, Pitch Perfect, has been approved!!! In this application—our first experience in educational and community project design as Close in the Distance—we invested a great deal, bringing together all the ideas, experiences, and skills of our staff, board, and volunteers. We focused on one of the themes most important to us: making counseling and support services a bit more inclusive toward LGBTIQA+ individuals of all ages.
We went to Florence to take part in the kick-off event organized by the Erasmus+ National Agency, and, most importantly, we met and connected with many other beneficiaries, whom we hope to stay in touch with!
We went to Florence to participate in the introductory days for beneficiaries organized by the National E+ Agency!
Starting from the beginning… our project, Pitch Perfect, has been approved!!! In this application—our first experience in educational and community project design as Close in the Distance—we invested a great deal, bringing together all the ideas, experiences, and skills of our staff, board, and volunteers. We focused on one of the themes most important to us: making counseling and support services a bit more inclusive toward LGBTIQA+ individuals of all ages.
We went to Florence to take part in the kick-off event organized by the Erasmus+ National Agency, and, most importantly, we met and connected with many other beneficiaries, whom we hope to stay in touch with!
21 September 2023 // Association
Our online workshops are starting: Queer Spaces, Gaming, and Virtual Inclusion. Sign up! (... it’s free!)
We are organizing and planning a free online workshop for tutors, educators, and anyone interested in the topic, tentatively scheduled for January and February 2024. The theme? Inclusion and self-affirmation of LGBTIQA+ individuals in digital spaces—learning to explore tools, spaces, and platforms where the young LGBTIQA+ community is highly active and feels freer to express themselves compared to “real life.”
We will also dive into other aspects, including online hate directed at LGBTIQA+ individuals, particularly adolescents. This will be a hands-on workshop with plenty of interaction, examples, and personal stories. So don’t expect a lecture-style class ;D
Our online workshops are starting: Queer Spaces, Gaming, and Virtual Inclusion. Sign up! (... it’s free!)
We are organizing and planning a free online workshop for tutors, educators, and anyone interested in the topic, tentatively scheduled for January and February 2024. The theme? Inclusion and self-affirmation of LGBTIQA+ individuals in digital spaces—learning to explore tools, spaces, and platforms where the young LGBTIQA+ community is highly active and feels freer to express themselves compared to “real life.”
We will also dive into other aspects, including online hate directed at LGBTIQA+ individuals, particularly adolescents. This will be a hands-on workshop with plenty of interaction, examples, and personal stories. So don’t expect a lecture-style class ;D
21 August 2023 // In-Depth Insights
Video Game Education as a Treatment for Anxiety in Youth and Adults, by Rafael Iwamoto Tosi
Imagine a world where video games are not just a pastime, but a powerful tool to help people combat anxiety. After COVID, many middle school students found themselves grappling with new fears and insecurities which, honestly, have not easily faded even after some years have passed. Video Game Education is proposed in a scientific article as a kind of (possible) solution, an innovative way to use gaming to restore a bit of confidence and calm to young people. In this article by Rafael Iwamoto Tosi, recently published in the Open Journal of Educational Research, the connection between video games, education, and anxiety treatment is explored—topics that are very important to us and, unfortunately, still not widely known in Italy :(
Video Game Education as a Treatment for Anxiety in Youth and Adults, by Rafael Iwamoto Tosi
Imagine a world where video games are not just a pastime, but a powerful tool to help people combat anxiety. After COVID, many middle school students found themselves grappling with new fears and insecurities which, honestly, have not easily faded even after some years have passed. Video Game Education is proposed in a scientific article as a kind of (possible) solution, an innovative way to use gaming to restore a bit of confidence and calm to young people. In this article by Rafael Iwamoto Tosi, recently published in the Open Journal of Educational Research, the connection between video games, education, and anxiety treatment is explored—topics that are very important to us and, unfortunately, still not widely known in Italy :(
