The Media & Learning Association is organising in collaboration with several partners organisations a full week of Media Literacy events! This initiative is part of UNESCO’s Global Media and Information Literacy Week, dedicated to enhancing global media literacy.
The Global Media and Information Literacy Week will be celebrated worldwide from 24-31 October 2024, culminating in a global conference hosted by UNESCO and the Hashemite Kingdom in Amman, Jordan on 30-31 October. This year’s theme is “The New Digital Frontiers of Information: Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information”. It will address the transformative impact of emerging technologies such as Generative Artificial Intelligence and the new generation of digital content creators on the production and dissemination of public-interest information, highlighting both opportunities and risks.
Throughout the week, we will host a series of online sessions and workshops in partnership with organisations such as DW Akademie, European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), MediaWise – Poynter Institute and Media Education Lab.
Monday 21 October, 14:00-15:30 CEST (Brussels time): MLA x EDMO on the Guidelines for Effective Media Literacy Initiatives
Join us for the official launch of the EDMO Guidelines for Effective Media Literacy Initiatives, a key resource aimed at elevating media literacy efforts across Europe and beyond. These guidelines, developed by the EDMO Working Group (formerly known as the Standards and Best Practices in Media Literacy) with extensive input from EDMO hubs, practitioners, and experts, offer clear and practical principles for both new and ongoing media literacy initiatives.
EDMO’s goal is to strengthen public resilience against online misinformation and disinformation by providing best practices that empower, educate, and engage diverse audiences. The guidelines are structured around 12 key principles, organised into sections covering the stages of an initiative: developing, implementing, and reviewing. These principles emphasise the importance of setting clear goals, promoting critical thinking, inclusivity, ethical conduct, adaptability, and robust evaluation.
This session will begin with a panel discussion featuring members of the EDMO Working Group. It will also provide an opportunity for the media literacy community to exchange ideas and discuss the application of these principles. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue about the guidelines and their impact.
Moderators: Sally Reynolds, Media and Learning/EDMO & Emma Goodman, EUI/LSE/EDMO
- Paula Gori, EUI/EDMO
- Martina Chapman, Media Literacy Ireland
- Maia Klaassen, University of Tartu, Estonia
- Sonia Livingstone, LSE, United Kingdom
Tuesday 22 October, 14:00-15:30 CET (Brussels time): MLA x MediaWise – Poynter Institute on Tailoring Media Literacy with AI: overcoming challenges of bias and misinterpretation
This panel discussion, part of UNESCO Global MIL Week and co-organised by the Media Learning Association and the Poynter Institute, will explore the critical issues of localising and customising media literacy resources in the context of AI. The session will address the challenges AI presents, such as mistranslations, misinterpretations, content filtering, biases, and stereotypes, and discuss how these issues impact global perspectives and best practices. Featuring insights from researchers and practitioners, the discussion will highlight opportunities to navigate AI’s complexities and promote effective, culturally sensitive media literacy education.
Moderators: Sally Reynolds, MLA and Brittani Kollar, Poynter Institute – MediaWise
Speakers:
- Mariana Ochs, EducaMidia/Palavra Aberta, Brazil
- Syed Nazakat, DataLEADS, India
- Louise Hisayasu, Tactical Tech
Wednesday 23 October, 14:00-15:30 CET (Brussels time): MLA x Media Education Lab on Building Resilient Communities: Using Media Literacy to Fight Extremism, Hate and Violence
This session, part of UNESCO Global MIL Week and co-organised by the Media Learning Association and Media Education Lab, will be dedicated to exploring media literacy as a proactive tool for resisting harmful communication, preventing extremism, and fostering stronger, more inclusive, and respectful communities.
The session will spotlight the work of the Media Education Lab, with a focus on the COURAGEOUS RI project and other initiatives aimed at building social cohesion. Through presentations and dialogue, participants will examine how education and awareness can reduce violence driven by divisive communication, and how media literacy can be leveraged to create impactful change.
Moderators: Sally Reynolds, MLA and Renee Hobbs, Media Education Lab
Speakers:
- Renee Hobbs & Pam Steager, Media Education Lab, United States, presenting CourageousRI: Applying media literacy to depolarize.
- Caroline Lindekamp, CORRECTIV, Germany presenting Faktenforum.
- Jeff Kaufmann and Debora Plein, Service National de la Jeunesse (SNJ), Luxembourg presenting #NOHATEONLINE campaign and BEE SECURE Spotline.
Thursday 24 October, 14:00-15:30 CET (Brussels time): MLA x DW Akademie on Media Literacy for Marginalised Communities
As part of UNESCO Global MIL Week and co-organised by the Media Learning Association and DW Akademie, this session will highlight exemplary media literacy approaches that foster inclusion and engagement with specific groups, such as indigenous populations, rural communities, underserved youth, and individuals with learning disabilities.
The session will spotlight the work of various projects and initiatives from Africa, Latin America, Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Europe. It will showcase a variety of hands-on media approaches and pedagogical methods that ensure interaction and creative learning to improve social cohesion and active dialogue. Through presentations and dialogue, participants will explore how media literacy can be leveraged to create impactful change in vulnerable communities.
Moderators: Sally Reynolds, MLA and Patricia Noboa Armendariz, DWA
Speakers:
- Hania Bitar, Director PYALARA (Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation), Occupied Palestinian Territories
- Rachel Nghimulitete, a MiLLi* facilitator and Radio host, Namibia
- Pablo Cruz, Audiovisual Producer, Communicares, Guatemala
- Hugo Bensancon, SQUARE, France
Friday 25 October, 14:00-15:30 CET (Brussels time): MLA x EDMO on Beyond the Hype: practical strategies for successful influencer collaborations in Media Literacy
In the digital age, influencers and young content creators hold significant influence over youth audiences. By leveraging their reach and creativity and embracing the fact that they represent their generation’s voice, organisations can amplify media literacy messages and create impactful interventions. This 90-minute EDMO training will explore the collaborative process between NGOs, civil society actors, government bodies, and influencers, young content creators.
We’ll discuss how to identify and engage with the right influencers, establish mutually beneficial partnerships, determine the most appropriate social media platforms and formats for various interventions, and measure the impact of these initiatives. Attendees will leave with actionable advice for initiating collaborations and maximising their media literacy efforts.
Moderators: Sally Reynolds, MLA and Lisa Ginsborg, EUI/EDMO
Speakers:
- Jane McGarrigle, Webwise, Ireland
- Deike Schulz and Charlotte van Hassel, the European Influencers Academy, The Netherlands
- Pieter Blomme, Chase and Wim Vanobberghen, VRT, Belgium
⚠️Registration via the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/RegistrationsEDMOMLAtraining_Beyondthehype_Influencercollab_25102024 – deadline for registrations 23 October.
Stay tuned for further details about the event schedule and specific topics, which will be announced soon. Follow us for updates to secure your spot!