A little while back I stumbled on a very unique service out of Italy called MisterProfessor. The reason it caught my eye was how it addresses two distinct social issues with one service. Namely, young people that are in need of mentoring and older, more experienced people that want to help others.
The goal of MisterProfessor is to mix passion, cultures and professions from different countries all over the world, support inter-generational and intercultural exchange, and provide for learning across different ages, countries and languages.
Those are some big goals. So, I caught up with Michele Cogo of MisterProfessor to ask him more about this new service and get some insight into why it is such an important part of our new digital age.
Describe MisterProfessor
MisterProfessor is the first social network that encourages unity between generations and improves cultural exchange. Through our website an older, more experienced person can connect with a younger person to share his knowledge, improve his social life and get more satisfaction from his later years of life. In doing so, older people’s experience, gained in many years of professional activity, becomes available to the new generations. The young people he is connected with will give the older person their time and share their enthusiasm. This will enrich both of their lives.
Where did the idea for it come from or what inspired it?
The founder of MisterProfessor developed deep social studies in Europe and Western countries, during which he found two strong problems that are correlated:
- Our population is aging and it is important to do it in a healthy way;
- There is a division or loss of relationship between young and older people caused by a multitude of factors, such as social rights acquired by older people that will never be extended to the young people, communicative conflicts and a change in society so that caused a relational split among the two generations.
Too many times in his studies he identified these problems, and only a few times, if not rarely, has found answers to resolve these difficult issues. He wanted to contribute in a small way to solve these major social problems by creating MisterProfessor.org.
What makes MisterProfessor such an innovative service?
It answers a critical need in our society; creating relationships between younger and older generations, bringing them together through a common passion, using a medium of communication compatible with both.
What drew you to get involved in MisterProfessor?
The reasons for starting a company can be or emotional or economic. Most of the forces of social firms are motivated by a real sense of importance in sharing the problem.
Tell me a success story
Luca was an Agricultural Technician for most of his life. Since he retired, though, he had began feeling lonely. He found MisterProfessor and, through the website, two young people interested in a learning the job he was so competent in. Marco and Fabio, the names of the two young people he connected with, are now working in two of the most important agricultural company of the region.
What is on the horizon for MisterProfessor?
To continue to bring together different generations, from different countries, united by the same passion and speaking a common language. We want to continue to encourage a great spirit of sharing and answering this social issue with our many collaborators.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone to help them have an amazing life as they grow older?
Exercising unity can help you live better and enjoy your life more. MisterProfessor can help you do that.
© 2015
Even though MisterProfessor is based out of Italy, it is open to those speaking English. To sign up to mentor or be mentored, visit their website. You can learn more about MisterProfessor via Facebook and Twitter.
