Digital Bridge: report on the training session at the Italian Red Cross national headquarters
Last weekend, the Rome headquarters of the Italian Red Cross was buzzing with training sessions for the Digital Bridge project, using Lego® Serious Play® and Agile methodologies. The first day of “WE CRI” was dedicated to facilitating discussion within the groups, while the second was spent experimenting with effective ways of managing change.
‘Thanks to the contribution of trainers Cecilia Stajano, Marco Rossi and Francesca Lisi, participants were involved in experiential activities, practical exercises and co-design moments. A learning by doing experience that fostered the development of key skills such as effective communication, active listening and teamwork, valuing the experiences of volunteers and strengthening the ability to collaborate in an integrated way,’ explains project manager Cecilia Borzese.
The LEGO® Serious Play® methodology is an experiential approach that uses Lego bricks as a facilitation tool to explore ideas, build shared visions and stimulate systemic thinking. Agile is a working method that values collaboration, experimentation and continuous improvement, adapting to the real needs of people and contexts.
Cecilia Stajano, community manager for the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and certified facilitator of the Lego® Serious Play® method, explained Saturday's activities: "We asked the volunteers, individually, to imagine a strategy for welcoming a new member to their organisation. Drawing on their own experience, they tried to focus on proposals for change and elements of continuity with the past. The second scenario required the participants to be divided into groups to devise ways to encourage new donations and make them ongoing. Finally, the third and last challenge of the day concerned new services to offer to the local area in addition to the more traditional ones."
The volunteers worked hard on their proposals, distinguishing themselves for their originality and courage. Despite their very different ages, backgrounds and stories, they were all united by a desire to learn, to internalise a path and then pass it on to their fellow travellers, returning to their own communities. For many, it was their first opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds.
Laura, from Rome, mother of two young women, has been with the Red Cross for nine years, many of which on the front line in the country's major emergencies. As in the case of Covid: she was among the first twelve volunteers to be trained to deal with the pandemic in Lazio. Patrizia worked in the field of virus biocontainment in the protective suits we saw on TV, welcomed travellers returning from the East before the lockdown was in place, and collaborated in the construction of vaccination hubs in the capital. In previous years, she has also attended many major events to offer her support in case of emergencies. Now, the challenge is to increase her digital skills.
The story of the parents of Adam, a very young member of the Alessandria Committee, began under a cross, the green one of the medical rescue service. His father was his mother's 118 instructor. Thanks to this sensitivity developed in his family and some inspiration from medical drama TV series, Adam took the Red Cross access course and is now doing his internship at 118. He often takes frail people to healthcare facilities. He is studying “political science administration” and wants to become a diplomat. This is the first time he has stepped out of his comfort zone and met people from all over Italy.
Radu, a volunteer for six years, lives in Guidonia and is 23 years old. He is involved in food collection, but also in healthcare and the 118 emergency service, in line with his great vocation for helping others. He is currently in his second year of nursing studies. But for Radu, helping others is a broader mission: he is enthusiastically involved in politics through a civic list in his city. He gave a speech to the social services committee of the city assembly, talking about cyberbullying. Thanks to WE CRI, he has also realised that teamwork only works if everyone maintains their uniqueness.
Giuseppe Mastromonaco has been involved with the Italian Red Cross for two years, since he retired, and has become president of the Marche regional committee. He is interested in supporting the organisation and launching many new initiatives, including with the support of new technologies. To this end, he has brought many members of his community with him.
Anita has been with the Red Cross since 2009. She comes from Genoa and, in addition to being a volunteer rescuer, has always been involved in administration. Digital Bridge has been a passport for her to make the most of the digital transition. She appreciated the trainers and wants to discover all the paths of the project.
Valeria, from Catania, knows the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and immediately took advantage of the opportunity for an immersive and in-depth training experience. ‘We had a great input to work together,’ she commented.
‘Thank you all for your energy, commitment and shared ideas: the digital bridge continues to grow!’, concludes Cecilia Borzese.
Digital Bridge is an initiative promoted by the Italian Red Cross (lead organisation) to accompany volunteers and employees on a path to strengthening their digital and transversal skills, helping to reduce the technological gap within the organisation. The project, selected and supported by the Fondo per la Repubblica Digitale – Impresa sociale (Fund for the Digital Republic – Social Enterprise), is aimed at a total of 750 CRI volunteers and employees and is developed through modular training courses that enhance experiential learning and collaboration. The Fondazione Mondo Digitale supports the project with its methodological contribution, providing innovative approaches and tools to promote a culture of innovation, teamwork and continuous improvement.
The story is by Onelia Onorati, press office of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale.
