6th Silver Economy Congress in Kraków
07 december 2023
On November 16, Kraków saw the 6th Silver Economy Congress organised by the Office of the Marshal of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. We had the pleasure to participate in it.
This year’s Congress focused on the issues of senior space, both physical, which we experience with all our senses, and virtual, the access to which is effectively blocked by digital exclusion which senior citizens face.
During the debate held at the event, the invited experts touched upon important issues related to the elderly.
The first debate was on adapting space to the needs of the senior citizens. The following questions were discussed:
- What house amenities help to improve the quality of the senior citizens’ lives?
- How to obtain funds for the adaptation of apartments to the needs of senior citizens with limited mobility?
- What are architectural barriers in housing construction, and how to overcome them?
- What makes a neighbourhood appealing for senior citizens?
- What are the solutions to make public transport elderly-friendly (e.g. accommodation for electric wheelchairs)?
- What are the solutions for the healthy ageing and longevity of cities?
The debate featured:
- dr hab. inż. arch. prof. PK Patrycja Haupt, Kraków University of Technology;
- dr inż. arch. prof. PK Jarosław Huebner, Kraków University of Technology;
- Tomasz Włodarski, Małopolska Institute of Culture;
- Dorota Krakowska, Tarnów Social Services Centre; and
- dr inż. arch. Agnieszka Cieśla, Fundacja Mimo Wieku.
The second panel pertained to virtual space; here, we were asked for our contribution. We had the opportunity to talk with other experts on:
- Digital education – opportunities and available offers for the elderly
- Digital threats – fraud, extortion, hacking attacks
- Benefits of shopping online
- Online banking – is it safe?
- What do the elderly gain by entering the virtual world?
- Does it befit senior citizens to play video games?
The following people were invited to take part:
- dr hab. Dorota Gierszewski, Institute of Pedagogy, Jagiellonian University;
- podkom. Hubert Bracik, Voivodeship Police Headquarters in Kraków;
- Przemysław Mroczek, President of SeniorApp Foundation;
- Agnieszka Osełka, Office of Electronic Communications.
Aside from the panel, we had an opportunity to hold individual conversations with senior citizens on online security, online shopping, security in online banking and the use of the Internet to handle official and administrative matters. We invited and encouraged our listeners to enjoy our free online courses dedicated to the elderly, which offer insight into the practical side of the Internet. Our courses are available at J@ online - Centrum Informacji Konsumenckiej (uke.gov.pl)