ESU Annual Report 2023
Online
Our ESU 2023 Annual Report is available
We participated in an online brainstorming session, for which the European Seniors’ Union was invited to discuss the project “Enhancing the Digital Skills of Seniors in the Slovak Republic.” The primary aim of this project is to optimize digital literacy among seniors in Slovakia by developing lessons focused on digitalization for seniors.
In the broader context, with the ongoing digital transformation of the economy and the rapid ageing of the population, there is a pressing need to enhance the digital skills of seniors. The aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis has left seniors particularly vulnerable, as the requirements for benefiting from digital goods and services are swiftly surpassing their current skill set. Seniors often face isolation, a lack of opportunities for social participation, and discrimination. With the increasing dependence of the Slovak economy and society on digital technologies, the consequences of rapid population ageing, coupled with low levels of digital skills among seniors and low participation in adult learning, are anticipated to become more serious and widespread.
The participants in the meeting included An Hermans, ESU President, whose brochure “The digital era? Also my era! – Media and information literacy: a key to ensure seniors’ rights to participate in the digital era” (2022) commissioned by the Council of Europe, proved highly relevant during the discussions. Guido Dumon, ESU Secretary General, Heinz Becker, ESU Vice President and former MEP for Austria, and Peter Mach, Former chairman of the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic ( 1999-2006) and member of the ESU executive committee, were also in attendance.
The session was a delightful and enlightening exchange of ideas and insights. More information about the initiative can be found here.