The official launch of an e-commerce course offered by the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) took place today. The training course – XiriOnlajn – will be available for elderly Gozitans and Maltese who currently attend Active Ageing Centres across the islands.

The course was launched at the Ghajnsielem Learning Hub by Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing Justyne Caruana and Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Growth Dr José Herrera.

This courses will be held in Gozo and Malta and are intended to train the elderly in the use of online shopping services and also understand what to do to safeguard their rights while making use of these services.

Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana explained that this was part of a strategy for Active Ageing that the Government is promoting, aimed at helping the elderly lead a more qualitative life. Dr Caruana said that as a result of measures carried out for the elderly to be trained in the digital sector, today, according to a Eurobarometer survey, Gozitan and Maltese elderly, along with those in Switzerland, have been classified in third place in Europe, for making use of social media.

Dr Caruana thanked Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera and the Malta Communications Authority, for the collaboration and work done in full synergy with her Parliamentary Secretariat, in carrying out several projects in aid of the elderly and disabled over a short period of time.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth, Dr Jose' Herrera, said that this programme was another initiative by the MCA as part of the national strategy for e-commerce launched in 2014, with the view of supporting the adoption of e-commerce by both consumers and businesses. "This strategy is based on the principle that electronic commerce can improve the lives of citizens, while also providing opportunities for business growth," Dr Herrera stressed.

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