Meet Jonas, Program Manager for Digital Literacy at ReDI School. He works to make sure that no one is left behind as society becomes increasingly digital – but for him, technology is also about meeting people and becoming part of a community.
What do you do at ReDI?
I am Program Manager for Digital Literacy in Copenhagen and Aarhus. Our courses are for participants with refugee or immigrant backgrounds who need basic digital skills for everyday life, work and navigating society.
Digital Literacy is not about preparing people for a career in tech. The participants need to build a digital foundation from scratch – skills that can be crucial for entering and completing an education in Denmark, as well as finding a job. Today, even a cleaning job may require you to apply online, download a payslip or join an online meeting.
You need a certain level of digital literacy simply to enter the labour market – and increasingly, to participate in society. As the tech train moves faster and faster, we want to help everyone get on board.
What drives you?
Community. Creating places where people can meet, support each other and become better together.
One of our volunteer teachers recently told me that although he lives in an area with many immigrants, most of his encounters have been negative. He joined ReDI because he wanted the chance to meet people and exchange experiences across cultures.
That is an important part of ReDI for me. We teach IT skills, but we also bring people together. I live in a co-housing community myself, so community is a big driving force in my life.
Your biggest aha moment?
Before joining the staff at ReDI, I was a volunteer teacher myself. One of my participants was smart and a natural at bringing people together, but she had very few digital skills.
When I introduced her to Gmail and especially PowerPoint, it was as if the leadership skills she already had, found a new tool. Later, she started her own association for people with immigrant backgrounds, focusing particularly on elderly people and health. She told me she could not have done it without the tools she gained at ReDI.
And then came the cherry on top. She ran in the local elections in Aarhus. I remember cycling through Gellerup and seeing her face on election posters hanging from the lampposts.
She wasn’t elected, but to me it was a great example of what digital literacy can ultimately be about: having the tools and confidence to take part in society – even in democracy.
What have you learned along the way?
That learning works better when it becomes personal.
In Aarhus, we make a small cookbook with our participants every semester. They each contribute a page about themselves and a favourite recipe, and the volunteers receive a copy with personal messages from the participants.
People come to learn digital skills. But when participants and volunteers also share something of themselves, it becomes more than a course.
I have also learned that volunteering doesn’t just happen. You need to create the right conditions for it, with respect and flexibility.
Why ReDI?
Because we work on two levels. There is the big picture: making sure people are not left behind as society becomes increasingly digital. And then there is the very concrete level: someone comes to class, learns something new and becomes part of a community.
It also matters that ReDI is free, and our participants choose to be here, they are not sent by anyone. And our teachers volunteer their time. That creates a particular relaxed atmosphere.
A former participant recently came up to me at a job fair. When I asked what she remembered about ReDI, she didn’t mention a particular computer skill. She remembered the good atmosphere and how the teachers had always wanted to help.
Creating that kind of place is very important to me.
Jonas in short
Jonas Sepstrup, 33
From: Denmark
Education: Media Studies
At ReDI since: 2023, previously a ReDI volunteer
Role: Program Manager, Digital Literacy
