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Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2024 holds from Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, to Thursday, Oct. 31 2024.
Since 2011, a week has been set aside to celebrate MIL globally and gather stakeholders worldwide to share ideas and explore innovative ways to promote MIL.
This year’s week is themed “The New Digital Frontiers of Information: “Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information.”
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this theme highlights the importance of equipping people with critical thinking skills in today’s digital ecosystem as digital tools advance.
During the global MIL Week, stakeholders worldwide organise events like the DUBAWA #WeekForTruth, and UNESCO co-hosts with a member State the global conference that gathers the Media and Information Literacy community.
This year, UNESCO and the Hashemite Kingdom will host the Global Media and Information Literacy Week Conference from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, 2024, in Amman, Jordan.
This event will bring together stakeholders around the globe to explore paths for strengthening collaboration and innovation to power MIL in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
What is MIL?
MIL is the ability of citizens to engage effectively and responsibly with media and information so they can be active and critical citizens who can participate in civic life and democracy.
Because information is constantly being created in various forms and formats and shared through different media, it has become important to develop media and information literacy skills. MIL teaches the public how to use information and media ethically, efficiently, and effectively.
According to the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), media literacy is the ability to access, analyse, evaluate, create, and act in response to all forms of communication. This skill is necessary for everyone regardless of age, race or educational background.
Declarations, proclamations, recommendations, and action plans have been significant in the development of MIL over the years. Below is a list of these declarations:
1982 – Grunwald Declaration on Media Education
2003 – Prague Declaration Towards an Information Literate Society
2005 – Alexandria Proclamation on Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning
2007 – Paris Agenda or 12 Recommendations for Media Education
2011 – Fez Declaration on Media and Information Literacy
2012 – Moscow Declaration on Media and Information Literacy
2013 – GAPMIL Framework and Action Plan
2013 – IFLA Media and Information Literacy Recommendations
2014 – Paris Declaration on Media and Information Literacy in the Digital Era
2016 – Sao Paulo Youth Declaration on Media and Information Literacy
2016 – Riga Recommendations on Media and Information Literacy in a Shifting Media and Information Landscape
2019 –193 Countries Proclaimed Global Media and Information Literacy Week
2020 – Seoul Declaration on Media and Information Literacy for Everyone and by Everyone
In addition, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly decided to commemorate MIL week in 2021 because of the need for the dissemination of factual, timely, targeted, clear, accessible, multilingual, and science-based information.
Why MIL?
According to UNESCO, MIL is important because it helps people engage critically with information, navigate the online environment safely and responsibly, and ensure trust in our information ecosystem and digital technologies.
MIL is also important because it provides essential skills to address the challenges of the 21st century which include the proliferation of misinformation/disinformation, hate speech, the decline of trust in the media and digital innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The emergence of generative AI further blurs the lines between human-generated and AI-generated content, requiring new skills and critical thinking. It is, therefore, a pivotal moment for individuals to shape the digital spaces they inhabit and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient information ecosystem.
DUBAWA’s MIL week
DUBAWA engages young students, professionals, online content creators, and the general public in constructive discussions about fact-checking, MIL and other key information issues through its #WeekForTruth campaign every year.
This is in line with its mission to promote a culture of truth. This year, DUBAWA’s #WeekForTruth campaign will be held from Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, to Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.
This year’s campaign will be amplified on social media using the hashtags #WeekForTruth, #DubawaChecks, #DubawaFacts, #BackToSchool, and #YoungVoiceForTruth.
