Dušana Findeisen, PhD, Slovenian Third Age University, and DANET e.V.
Abstract: In the framework of the 5th European Code Week and the Silver Code EU project an introductory training was developed and run for and with students of Slovenian Third Age University as well as general audience. Digital inclusion versus digital exclusion were discussed. Silver code project is co-funded by European Union.
The concepts of digital inclusion/exclusion stem from the concept of social inclusion/exclusion, the names of which were coined back in 1960. In those days, social inclusion was mainly economic, the concept having been related to alleviating poverty. There was low unemployment rate (3%), so weak and fragile individuals were to be brought back and included in society. Today, due to numerous social interruptions, many social ties broken, many people excluded, social inclusion has become a massive need.
Digital inclusion further accelerates and makes possible active ageing, older people’s being connected with other generations. This is important as to avoid separation within society.
Digital exclusion harms everybody, both digital natives and digital migrants (older generations) argued Prof. Dušana Findeisen.