According to the Active Aging Index, only 3% of the older persons in the Republic of Moldova use information technology, while in the EU member states this index stands at over 41%. The lack of knowledge and the limited possibilities of buying and using mobile phones more seriously affected the older persons in Moldova during the pandemic and these suffer a lot because of social isolation. To fill this information gap, Moldcell Foundation and UNFPA signed a cooperation agreement on the digital inclusion of older persons through dialogue between generations. More exactly, the young people will become involved in the process of training older persons to use mobile phones.
In a press release, UNFPA Moldova says that in the frameworks of the project that is implemented in cooperation with the UN Human Rights Office and HelpAge International, more than 100 older persons from Șoldănești, Rezina, Basarabeasca and Leova will receive mobile phones free and will learn to use them with the assistance of a group of young volunteers.
The older persons will benefit from training in a group and individually, by observing all the protection measures during the pandemic. Later they will be able to use the mobile phone connected to the Internet to make payments online, to inform themselves about medical and social services and to communicate with family and relatives.
UNFPA Resident Representative in Moldova Nigina Abaszada said the private sector, including national and multinational corporations, private foundations and small and medium-sized businesses, is a key player in the establishment of public-private partnerships for social development. She welcomed the innovatory view of Moldcell Foundation for supporting the intergenerational dialog in Moldova and cooperating in ensuring the digital inclusion of older persons with the involvement of young people. According to her, the international experience shows that this interaction is beneficial to all ages and in the long run contributes to solidarity and social development.
