From October 21-25, the Media & Learning Association (MLA) is organising, in collaboration with several partner organisations, a full week of media literacy events as part of UNESCO’s Global Media and Information Literacy Week.
The Global Media and Information Literacy Week will be celebrated worldwide from October 24-31 2024, dedicated to enhancing global media literacy. The week will culminate in a global conference hosted by UNESCO and the Hashemite Kingdom in Amman, Jordan on October 30-31 on the theme: “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.
A week full of online media literacy events
Throughout the week, the Media & Learning Association will host a series of online sessions and workshops in partnership with organisations such as Deutsche Welle Akademie, European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), MediaWise – Poynter Institute and Media Education Lab. This is part of the Autumn schedule of MLA’s ongoing initiative, ‘Wednesday Webinars on Digital & Media Literacy in Europe‘, a series of monthly online sessions focusing on various topics related to digital and media literacy. Each session’s topic is chosen based on ongoing projects, media literacy trends, and collaborations with other organisations, with input from our special interest groups on digital and media literacy and teacher education.
Discover the schedule of the media literacy week’s events:
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Monday 21 October, 14:00-15:30 CEST (Brussels time): MLA x EDMO on the Guidelines for Effective Media Literacy Initiatives
This session will officially launch 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.
This session will include a panel discussion featuring members of the EDMO Working Group, and will provide an opportunity for an exchange of ideas and a discussion on the practical application of these principles. Attendees will have the chance to ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue about the guidelines and their impact.
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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 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.
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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 third session will explore media literacy as a proactive tool for resisting harmful communication, preventing extremism, and fostering stronger, more inclusive, and respectful communities. The session will put a spotlight on the work of Media Education Lab, and the work of the COURAGEOUS RI project and other initiatives aimed at building social cohesion. 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.
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Thursday 24 October, 14:00-15:30 CET (Brussels time): MLA x Deutsche Welle Akademie on Media Literacy for Marginalised Communities
Co-organised by the Media Learning Association and Deutsche Welle 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. Various projects and initiatives from Africa, Latin America, Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Europe will be spotlighted, showcasing 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.
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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. The session will 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. Participants will acquire actionable advice for initiating collaborations and maximising their media literacy efforts.
Registrations
Registrations for these events are done via the Media & Learning Association website. The session on Friday October 25 has to be done on an external platform, and the deadline for registrations is October 23, 2024.
About Media & Learning Association
The Media & Learning Association (MLA) is an international, not-for-profit Belgian-based association set up in 2012 to promote and stimulate the use of media as a way to enhance innovation and creativity in teaching and learning across all levels of education in Europe. Members include national and regional agencies charged with the promotion of innovation in teaching and learning as well as universities, ministries of education and schools’ networks.
The Media & Learning Association (MLA) is dedicated to advancing education through the strategic utilisation of media and digital technologies across all levels of education. Their mission is to promote and foster innovation and creativity in teaching and learning by empowering educators, students, and institutions with the necessary skills and competencies to effectively integrate media and digital tools into their daily practices. Their focus spans various critical areas, including the use of media, extended reality (XR), and artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education, digital media literacy, teacher training in digital media literacy. Media & Learning aim to be at the forefront of identifying and sharing best practices, supporting the development of digital and media literacy strategies and networks, and inspiring innovative solutions to enhance pedagogical approaches through media-based tools and services. Their objectives align with the European Union’s vision of promoting a digitally enabled education approach and combating disinformation.
Source: European Digital Skills & Jobs Platform
