The 3rd Pan-African Senior Citizens' Salon (SPA) took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with the theme "Seniors and Digital Society: Adaptation, Inclusion, and Intergenerational Transmission." The event aimed to make digital technology a tool for dialogue between generations, not a factor of exclusion. Promoter Yacine Kindo emphasized that the challenge goes beyond teaching seniors digital skills, it's about enabling them to remain active in society while valuing their experience and knowledge.
The SPA's promoter, Yacine Kindo, highlighted that previous editions showed seniors are not just beneficiaries of social actions. The first edition brought together over 700 seniors, 1,500 visitors, and 40 partners. It also sparked entrepreneurial initiatives led by seniors, such as fish farming and quail breeding. This year's event features panels, masterclasses, AI training, and workshops on digital and administrative tools.
Bonaventure Koudougou, representing seniors in Burkina Faso, stressed the need for seniors to learn and adapt to digital technology. He acknowledged that digital technology evolves rapidly, but this should not lead to the marginalization of seniors. They want to learn to use digital tools to communicate with family, access information and services, and develop their activities.
Alimata Tany Sawadogo, representing the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, emphasized that young people should not only teach digital skills to seniors but also learn from their experience, wisdom, and values. She highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the role seniors play in safeguarding collective memory.
The event also focused on the preservation of cultural heritage, with seniors seen as guardians of collective memory. Sawadogo noted that African societies have traditionally relied on seniors to pass down stories, traditions, and knowledge. Digital technology can be used to collect, conserve, and transmit this memory to future generations.
Organizers hope that discussions during the SPA will lead to concrete initiatives, including digital inclusion, support for seniors' economic initiatives, and transmission of knowledge. Participants emphasized that aging should not be seen as a problem to be managed but as a stage of life rich in skills, experience, and knowledge.
The SPA aims to build a dialogue between generations, combining the energy and digital skills of young people with the experience and memory of seniors. As Bonaventure Koudougou put it, "Progress consists of making generations work together." The event brought together various stakeholders to explore ways to promote intergenerational collaboration and digital inclusion.
Key points
- The 3rd Pan-African Senior Citizens' Salon focused on the role of seniors in a digitally transforming society.
- The event aimed to promote digital inclusion and intergenerational collaboration.
- Organizers hope to translate discussions into concrete initiatives supporting seniors' participation in society.
