Seniornet Flanders and ICT for seniors:
a social-profit organisation
As everywhere else in Europe, the issue of the “digital gap” between the rapidly evolving ICT-revolution and a large group of seniors got high up the public agenda around the millennium change.
Flanders (the Flemish region of Belgium) has always been a region with a large and diversified “midfield” of voluntary organisations, for youngsters, adults and also seniors, with a participation degree of about 54 % of the population!
One of the largest organisations in that field, the so-called KBG (now renamed into OKRA) held a great conference on “the new media and older adults” back in April 1997. After a lively discussion, the proposal was put forward to found a “website for seniors in Flanders”, following the example of the Dutch site www.seniorweb.nl , which started in 1995 and still is very active in the field of ICT.
The Flemish umbrella organisation OOK, which unities all non-profit organisations, discussed that proposal in the next years. Prof. em. Walter Leirman of Leuven was asked to write out a project to that purpose. Our major message was: “we do not just need a website, but an organisation which will provide information and learning opportunities for older adults in the area of Computer and Internet”. The Board of the OOK accepted the proposal, and founded a voluntary association called “Seniornet Vlaanderen” (SNV - Seniornet Flanders) in June 2000.
Four major objectives were spelled out:
1. To inform the senior population about developments and issues in ICT
2. To motivate them to participate in the “digital revolution”
3. To develop and provide learning opportunities both in written form and via digital media
4. To train 100 “animators” who would become certified trainers for ICT-courses.
These broad goals were only gradually realized during the next 5 years. First of all, a website was indeed set up, with the following URL: www.seniornetvlaanderen.be That site was and is focussing on the relationship between seniors and the ICT-world on the one hand, and on training on the other hand. To that purpose, a helpdesk or “forum” was created, where seniors can submit questions and problems around the use of Computers, Internet, E-mail, Windows, etc. About 90% of all questions receive an answer from one of the SNV-animators. Online learning is also provided.
From the start, the main effort of the organisation was directed towards the training of volunteer animators. Between 2002 and 2007, eleven 4-day courses have been organised, with a total number of 98 participants. 86 of them received a certificate, based on the presentation of a thematic course-plan for seniors.
SNV has initially been supported by the Flemish authorities, but from 2004 onwards, after an internal reorganisation, it had to “walk on its own legs”. On the other hand, SNV has been and is still working together with commercial sponsors such as the Internet providers Belgacom and Telenet, separating, however, content-oriented training from merchandising and selling. SNV sells nothing, provides volunteer help and support for seniors.
On the other hand, SNV is working together with non-profit training organisations, such as “Vormingplus” (Education Plus, the successor of the Flemish Folk High Schools).
Thus, between 2002 and 2007, the nearly 80 animators have provided short training sessions for about 13.000 seniors, focusing on three major themes: Computer basics, Internet and E-mail.
Gradually, the focus is shifting from “basic Computer training” to more advanced or specialised contents, such as GSM, digital photography, digital TV, etc.
The organisation is guided by a 14-member Board, with Mr. Frans Motmans as president, and has a membership general assembly of 52 animators. Its motto was and still is: “Senior teaches and learns from Senior”, indicating an interactive, non-schoolish approach.
Walter Leirman, honorary president.
Leuven, November 2007.