Photo exhibition launched at parliament on eve of International Day of Older Persons

Chisinau, 30 September /MOLDPRES/- 20 photos of elderly people and young volunteers, champions of intergenerational dialogue are being unveiled in Parliament, the parliament's communication and public relations department has reported.

The exhibition Digital skills connect generations is organized in partnership with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), is dedicated to the International Day of Older People.

Speaker Igor Grosu said at inauguration ceremony that the exhibition is a reflection of the situation in the country and referred to his own experience in the family. “New technologies contribute significantly to bringing families and relatives closer, at any distance. It helps us a lot to be closer to each other, and mobile phones for our parents and grandparents are essential in communicating at any time ", he said.

UNFPA Moldova Resident Representative Nigina Abaszada expressed appreciation for the opportunity to be partners of the Legislature in opening the exhibition. "Demographic trends in Moldova indicate that the population of the Republic of Moldova is not getting younger, but aging. According to our forecasts, in 15 years, one in three Moldovans will be over 60 years old. Therefore, our common strategy should aim at solutions such as active aging policies and building social solidarity and inclusion through intergenerational dialogue ”.

For her part, the director of the Swiss Cooperation Office, Caroline Tissout, said that the elderly should not be seen as beneficiaries of assistance, but as people who have much to share with young people. "We are proud to be part of this beautiful project," said Caroline Tissout.

The photos were taken as part of a program where 300 seniors were trained by 85 young volunteers how to use a high-performance mobile phone, connected to the internet, in particular, to talk to the family, to pay for online services, but also to overcome social isolation in times of pandemic.

Along with the officials, some protagonists also took part in the inauguration ceremony.

International Day of Older Persons is marked annually on October 1. This year, the theme of the event is digitalization.

Photo: Parliament