Everyone on the Internet

The initiative, which is promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, involves 13 Italian regions. Digital pills for neighbourhood citizens will be available in the computer labs of over 100 schools. The more experienced over-sixties will help explain the ABC of computers and the web, as well as chat and on-line e-gov services.

 

Digital Literacy Week from April 16 to 23 is dedicated to adults and especially to over-sixties. The elderly centres and schools participating in the Grandparents on the Internet Project (including various spin-offs run in 13 Italian Regions) are inviting residents back to their local schools to learn how to read and write on a PC, navigate the web, use e-mail and consult on-line e-gov services.

 

For one week, starting on April 16, the computer labs of schools in Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Marche, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzi, Campania, Basilicata, Puglia, Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia will be connected and buzzing.

 

Over 3000 young tutors, 4000 “digitally-certified” grandparents and the 50 teachers coordinating the Grandparents on the Internet Course, the project developed by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale to introduce new technology to over-sixties, will welcome aspiring digital citizens.

 

The inter-generational model developed by the FMD to fight social exclusion and catalyse the development of 21st century skills – a pivotal need for the future of youth in an increasingly complex society - continues to expand.

 

The first edition of Everyone on the Internet was held in Rome in 2006 and involved 30 schools that opened their classrooms up to the neighbourhood elders. Since then, the event has continued to expand. The current 7th edition is the first to travel beyond Rome and reach elders in northern and southern Italy.

 

The event agenda will be published on-line shortly.