E-engAGEd: first meeting in Marino for Volterra students and over-65s from elderly centres.
The increasing digitalisation of society risks becoming a problem because of Europe’s ageing population. Only 1 in 4 people aged 65-74 possess basic digital skills; most are unable to access crucial digital services, such as healthcare or pensions. The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights Report entitled Fundamental Rights of Older People: Ensuring Access to Public Services in the Digital Society highlights that existing legislation in EU countries does not adequately address the risk of digital exclusion for older citizens.
In this scenario, European Project E-engAGEd, financed by the CERV Programme and implemented in Italy by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, aims to promote and accelerate the acquisition of digital and media literacy by young and old alike, with the intergenerational learning methodology, involving schools and senior centres [see: Project Grandparents on the Internet].
The ability to use digital technologies in a conscious and critical way, in fact, is fundamental to actively participate in democratic life, recognizing information and distinguishing true and fake news.
The project involves twelve partners from seven European countries: Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia.
Last January in Marino, in the Province of Rome, a meeting was held between students from the Liceo Vito Volterra in Ciampino and the Cava dei Selci elderly centre.
“During the meeting, the representatives of the two sides discussed their respective objectives and methods of collaboration,” explains Simone, 26, who is participating in the digital civil service with the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and Assifero. Simone followed the meeting and collected participants’ opinions.
"We are very happy to participate in this project," declared Umberto Porrino, coordinator of the Cava dei Selci elderly centre. "For us, it is important that older people learn to use digital technology, as it’s an integral part of our daily lives. We believe that this project is an important opportunity to create a bridge between generations. Young people can also learn a lot from our grandparents, who have a great deal of life experience. I am very satisfied with how the meeting went. The lessons were very engaging."
Project E-engAGEd includes a series of meetings and activities that will continue over the coming months to train young and old people with digital and media skills in order to promote active citizenship and democratic participation.
