AMD and Aprendiz Release the Oldnet Program Method and Promote the Digital Inclusion of the Elderly
6/27/2007
Through the encounter of generations, method promotes the digital inclusion of the elderly, the education of young volunteers and it can be replicated throughout the world.
São Paulo, Brazil — June 27 2007 — Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., (NYSE: AMD), a leading global provider of processing solutions for the computer, graphics and consumer electronics markets, and the NGO Cidade Escola Aprendiz, release today the Oldnet Program method (“Oldnet in a Box”), which promotes the digital inclusion of the elderly and the education of young volunteers in an innovative and educational way.
Oldnet, created and developed at Aprendiz’s community education laboratories, promotes the interaction of young and old people in workshops where teenagers share their computer knowledge with elderly people, teaching them how to use the computer and browse the Internet. The idea arose a few years ago, but today it acquired an international dimension with the creation of materials to disseminate the method. This material, created in concert with the 50x15 Initiative, a program founded by AMD to connect 50 percent of the world’s population to the Internet by 2015, combines all relevant information to implement Oldnet workshops in many communities in different countries – the method is available in three languages (Portuguese, Spanish and English).
Oldnet was chosen by AMD as a model-initiative for the digital inclusion of the world’s elderly. “AMD is honored and proud to be part of providing the elderly with access to technology and the Internet. This experience shows how AMD can work with local organizations to achieve the aggressive goal of connecting 50 percent of the world by the year 2015. And Brazil is an example for other countries,” said Jose Antonio Scodiero, Marketing and Sales vice president at AMD for Latin America.
With the considerable increase in life expectancy for the world’s population, it’s essential to create and disseminate programs that foster the insertion of the elderly in the information society. The program’s proposal places technology in context, putting it at the service of people and their relationships.
Promoting the digital inclusion of the elderly also means promoting their social integration. By dominating the technology universe, distances become shorter and it’s also possible to expand one’s network and update one’s knowledge. On the other hand, having teenagers volunteer to work as teachers helps their maturing process, developing a sense of responsibility, flexibility and greater social participation capacity.
Data Folha carried out a survey about the elderly and Internet use – how digital inclusion can change the life of older people and what people in this age bracket want to learn. The study, which included 309 elderly (60 years of age or older), shows that most interviewees associate the benefits of learning thought technology to the use of the Internet, and they show a great desire to learn to use the computer.
Oldnet’s multipliers
The dissemination materials are aimed at (not only, but as a priority) educators, managers and social workers, usually professionals accustomed to implementing education projects. But the method can also become stronger with the initiative of people or organizations that wish to invest in programs and projects that focus on technology, education, the elderly, youth or overall community benefits.
About AMD
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative processing solutions for the computer, graphics and consumer electronics markets. AMD is dedicated to fostering open innovations, options and the industry’s growth, by providing client-based solutions that enable consumers and companies around the world. For more information, please visit www.amd.com.
About 50x15
The 50x15 Initiative, launched by AMD in 2004 at the World Economic Forum, is a bold and far-reaching effort to develop new technology and solutions that will help enable affordable Internet access and computing capability for 50 percent of the world's population by the year 2015. More than just goodwill, 50x15 is about fostering long-term economic progress and investment within high-growth markets in ways that benefit a wide range of people and businesses. For more information, visit www.50x15.com.
Other information to the press:
AMD’s contact information:
Edelman
Edilaine de Abreu
edilaine.abreu@edelman.com
Phone: + 55 (11) 3017 5300 r.256
Larissa Massaro
larissa.massaro@edelman.com
Phone: + 55 (11) 3017 5300 r.219
Associação Cidade Escola Aprendiz’s contact information:
Phone numbers: + 55 (11) 3819-9225 / 3819-9226 / 3813-7719
info@aprendiz.org.br
www.aprendiz.org.br
Izabel de Madureira Marques – Oldnet Coordination
oldnet@aprendiz.org.br
www.oldnet.com.br
Press Assistance:
assessoriadeimprensa@aprendiz.org.br