Some time ago I was nominated by Age Action Ireland for the prestigious European wide e-inclusion awards. The email received just a few days ago had to be read and re-read and read again! It stated: ‘You have been selected as one of 3 finalists in the ‘I am part of IT’ Award Category to attend our e-inclusion Awards ceremony in Brussels ‘.
Established by The European Commission, the e-Inclusion Awards aim to ‘raise awareness, encourage participation and recognise excellence and good practice in using ICT and digital technology to tackle social and digital exclusion across Europe.‘ With the aim of collecting all the great practice across Europe in supporting people to go online and with the stories of people who have benefitted from their internet experience, the awards have two categories, and my nomination was made under the ‘I am part of IT’ heading.
With Michael D.Higgins (now President of Ireland) at Google HQ, Dublin, Ireland , September last at Google Age Action Silver Surfer Awards 2011
Nominated for the Google Age Action Silver Surfer Awards 2011, I was thrilled to win the Social Networking category, to which I had a very heart-warming and supportive response. As a result of winning that award I have had enormous support and increasing readership of my blog and supporting Facebook page. Now, to have been chosen as one of only three finalists in this category, with entries from 35 countries is quite honestly flabbergasting!
The real winners here are Age Action, a charity that promotes positive ageing and has as an objective that Ireland will be a great place to grow old. (‘Old’ is relative of course, and it is a condition I wish upon you all! ). Age Action has recently won the national Aontas Star Award for adult education for their ‘Getting Started’ programme, that assists older people (55+) to learn basic IT, internet and email skills. They aim to help this section of society to beat exclusion and isolation and thereby increase independence and equality.
By showing that I have managed to do this, I hope to be an ambassador for the excellent work of Age Action and look forward to being with them in Brussels later in the week!
I am indebted to Age Action for the enormous encouragement I have received by participating in their Awards schemes and to my mentor and critic Damian who nominated me for the Silver Surfer Awards and who set the bar very high with his own blog at irishinamericancivilwar.com and to many friends who have been so supportive.
Age Action Facebook Page is here – they would love a LIKE!
Age Action Web page is here
Damian’s excellent blog is here
E-inclusion website is here
E-inclusion Awards list of Entries is here
My Facebook Page is here
A SILVER VOICE FROM IRELAND 