Italian Red Cross: Guido Santoro's experience with Digital Bridge
Guido Santoro has been a volunteer with the Italian Red Cross for 31 years, but he is also a public administration manager with extensive experience in engineering, IT security and digital transition. Today, he is the regional training delegate for the Red Cross in Abruzzo and has chosen to participate in the Digital Bridge project, promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale in collaboration with the Italian Red Cross and funded by the Fondo per la Repubblica Digitale.
We interviewed him to hear about his experience in the cross-cutting skills module, one of the project's training proposals, dedicated to enhancing soft and life skills useful in every field, from volunteering to work.
‘I chose this module precisely because, having worked in the digital field for years, I was more interested in deepening my transversal skills. I found it well-structured and engaging: clear content, a knowledgeable teacher and the opportunity to revisit familiar topics in a new light.’
For Guido, digital training is not an option but a necessity. Even for those who already have a solid technical background, as in his case.
‘Everything goes through digital now. Access to services, communication, information management. Training means protecting yourself. This is true in my job, where I deal with information system security, and it is also true in the Red Cross. Volunteer awareness is the first line of defence.’
Santoro, who has also contributed to the design of internal training courses for the public administration during his career, has no doubt about the importance of initiatives such as Digital Bridge, which put digital skills at the service of civic engagement.
‘I recommend all volunteers to take part in the courses. Not only those starting from scratch, but also those with advanced skills. Training is always an opportunity to grow, exchange ideas and better prepare oneself to face today's challenges. Especially in an association like the Red Cross, where everyone can find their place, adapting to their inclinations and needs.’
With his dual experience as a volunteer and public manager, Guido represents one of the many bridges that the Digital Bridge project aims to build: between generations, between sectors, between skills and values. Because being a digital citizen also means taking care of others, with new and increasingly effective tools.
Edited by Alberta Testa, social media manager
