The training of volunteers as part of the project “Network for All” took place 26 September 2013.

The programme is implemented by the MTS mobile operator with the support from the Belarusian Association of Social Workers and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the framework of the “University of the Third Age” project aiming to help elderly people acquire internet communication skills and promote up-to-date information technologies and useful online services among senior citizens.

Lev Nikolaev and Sergei Tikhonov, Russian trainers who have been implementing the project in Russia for two years, shared their experience and told what is to be kept in mind and what psychological aspects are to be considered when working with senior citizens.

“It is relevant that the instructors present complex computer concepts through simple and clear associations, which give the idea of the term and make it possible to grasp the intended purpose of this or that function at once. The training process should be organized in such a way as to ensure that the students make the same progress and also to promote cooperativeness in groups. The aim of the project is to eliminate the psychological barrier and fear of the computer, and open to the people the world, which would make their lives easier and more diverse.” said Lev Nikolaev, trainer of the MTS “Network for all” programme.

Besides, the Russian experts along with the volunteers went through the plan of future classes and discussed the most complicated issues, which the instructors would most definitely come across when teaching senior citizens.

“By far a training manual for the instructors and presentations on teaching computer and internet literacy to senior citizens have been prepared. All materials were developed with due account for the psychological characteristics of elderly people. But before proceeding to actual practical work we organized a meeting with the experts, who have been working for the “Network for All” programme for a long time. We are convinced that the knowledge obtained during the training would be of great help for the volunteers in building dialogue with the class.” said Tatyana Balendo, Manager of the “University of the Third Age” project.

For details please contact:

Volha Herasenka,

Communications Assistant, UNFPA Belarus:

+37529-178 67 00

Tatyana Balendo

Project “University of the Third Age”, Manager

+37544-797 73 43