In order to teach elders how to use the web and learn more about modern communication technology, Poste Italiane – the Italian Postal Service – has chosen the Grandparents on the Internet Model and together with the Fondazione Mondo Digitale will promote a pilot project for digital literacy in post offices throughout Italy.
Today, July 7, courses kick off in Rome, Palermo and Ascoli Piceno. These will be followed by courses in Naples (July 9), Asti (July 10) and Mantua (July 10). Starting from September, the programme will be extended to the entire country.
This is the first time that an enterprise, Italy’s largest services infrastructure, opens the doors of its offices to citizens for educational and updating courses. It’s the first time, in thirteen editions of Grandparents on the Internet that tutors will step out of schools for a structure programme to promote the universal service and inclusion mission of Poste Italiane and to accelerate the implementation process of the Italian Digital Agenda. The Fondazione Mondo Digitale, in fact, is a member of the Italian Coalition for Digital Skills.
“Grandparents on the Internet aims to make life-simplifying technology available nationally, even through offices and postmen,” explains Francesco Caio, CEO, Poste Italiane. "The trust that citizens have in us, helps us to extend knowledge, services and digital opportunities that are still the reserve of a few to all those who desire to learn more about them. Our company aims to kick-start the country and provide a tool that will help make the lives of citizens better and simpler.”
The courses are based on the intergenerational learning model and will be held in equipped labs in Italian post offices.
