Minister of presidency, interior, social dialogue, and administrative simplification, Antonio SanzHighlighted during his speech on the first day organized by the Sendertic Association, in collaboration with Ada and the La Caixa Foundation, the Andalusian Government Bet for a «Inclusive and transversal digitization where no one can be left behind». He emphasized, in this regard, the initiatives promoted by the Andalusian Digital Agency (ADA) to combat the digital divide in the elderly segment.
Antonio Sanz argued that «Age should not be assumed as a disability to know technological progress, but vice versa» and emphasized that «against any injury, the elderly population finds in technology A fundamental ally to be connected, informed, and entertained.»
The councilor assessed during the event, held at Caixforum Sevilla, the interest of elderly people in updating their knowledge to work in the current world, a Digital training that allows them to «Interact, learn, create, and be autonomous». And he assured that «here in Andalusia we are taking a step forward,» as shown in the Andalusia Digital Skills Report 2023 prepared by ADA, certifying that internet users in Andalusia aged 65 to 74 with basic or advanced digital skills exceed the national average by 2.6 percentage points.
In this sense, he emphasized that there are several initiatives promoted by ADA to train digital citizens in general and, more specifically, to combat the digital divide in the elderly population segment. Thus, within the framework of Andalusia Flies, the program that unifies actions in the field of digital transformation aimed at citizens, developed measures that are essential to ensure access to digital opportunities from any point in the Andalusian territory. Commitment to transformation Burning red flame composed of more than 700 digital skills centers, open innovation, and internet access, which is present in all municipalities with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants and in the less favored areas of other larger municipalities.
Furthermore, Andalusia Flies has on its platform a Guide for older adults that starts with a focus on the basic concepts of the internet and then trains the elderly in using E-mail and social networks. It also provides fundamental notions in digital security and applications that can help the elderly communicate or make online purchases and efforts. It also has a section on digital administration where it is facilitated to obtain the digital certificate or manage a prior appointment for health centers, in addition to other online services offered by the Andalusian Government.
With the aim of bringing digitalization to all citizens, the councilor highlighted the Click_a program, a project developed in collaboration with the Red Cross to provide personalized companions to the elderly and people at risk of social exclusion, to help them develop autonomously, efficiently, and safely in digital environments, for inclusive digitalization.
Antonio Sanz pointed out that the council thought of all Andalusians when it comes to undertaking this transition to 100% digital Andalusia, «Regardless of their social status, age, or place of residence.» «We are all on board in this transition to a fully digital world, because our challenge is that no one is left behind, that new technological tools are not a reason for exclusion, but for inclusion,» he said.
Under the motto «Combining longevity with technology», the event was organized by the non-profit association TIC Senior Senior with technology to contribute to the extension of digital culture among the elderly population in Spain and Andalusia.
The day that Jiménez, general director of ADA, intervened; Carlos Pérez, senist president; Economist Iñaki Ortega and cardiologist José Ángel Cabrera. The councilor was accompanied at the closing ceremony by the Vice-Presidency, Tomás Burgos; and the delegate of the Board of Directors in Seville, Ricardo Sánchez.