About Us
Our goal is to empower children, youth and families, through co-learning in safe spaces, to move towards a sustainable digital life.
We help youth, parents and/or youth providers (including schools, social workers, etc) to navigate a healthy 'middle road,' between the fear of online dangers and the fear of missing out on the connection and future skills that technology offers.
Middle Road Momentum
Since its founding in early 2022, the Middle Road has evolved from a compelling concept to an emerging movement. Our first official Middle Road event, the premiere screening of i_am_Gen.Z in Switzerland, resulted in engaging communities in Basel and beyond:
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Integration of ‘I am Gen Z’ in International School Basel’s Grade 7 Wellbeing curriculum
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Translation of ‘I am Gen Z’ into German, French and Italian, to make the film accessible for all Swiss public schools.
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Community screenings of ‘I am Gen Z’ with filmmaker Liz Smith in Basel (with PZ.BS) and in Zurich (with Girls in Tech Switzerland)
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Ongoing exploration of partnerships with Reactor, TPH, and more.
After consulting with experts in diverse fields, ranging from gaming to child psychology, we concluded that our youth, Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012), are the true 'experts' on kids' digital experience. To tap this expertise, the Middle Road organization's current focus is to amplify the voices of Gen Z to help communities navigate a safe and healthy digital life.
Our Purpose
We co-create co-learning spaces so that experts and influencers* help support a safe and healthy digital life.
*if you have a brain and a heart, you are an expert and influencer.
We founded the Middle Road in response to the concerns and hopes of parents. We envision a world where collective responsibility for the next generation is embedded across society, in our daily thoughts and actions.
Meet the Team
Co-Founder
Liz Lian
Liz, mother of two daughters (10 and 15), brings over 25 years’ experience with technology design and education systems innovation, which she now enjoys connecting to the joys and challenges of learning and parenting in our rapidly changing digital world.
Co-Founder
Felix Hollenstein
Felix, father of two sons (12 and 14) and an innovation management consultant, has wrestled for years with the questions of what changes the digital age might bring to our lives and what a healthy approach to technological possibilities might look like.