MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY SUMMARY

Executive Board Two hundred and fifth session 205 EX/34 Rev. PARIS, 3 October 2018 Original: English Item 34 of the provisional agenda MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY SUMMARY This item has been included in the provisional agenda of the 205th session of the Executive Board at the request of Jamaica. It includes an explanatory note and a draft decision. Action expected of the Executive Board: proposed decision in paragraph 10. Job: 201802524

205 EX/34 Rev. EXPLANATORY NOTE Introduction The Need to Boost UNESCO s MIL Programme, including Proclamation of a Global Media and Information Literacy Week 1. The past 40 years have been marked by significant advancements in the way people communicate, and especially in development of information and communication technologies (ICTs). UNESCO did not stand aside as a passive prospector of this process but recognized this major shift and reacted to it. As early as 1982, the Grünwald Declaration was founded which recognized the need for political and educational systems to promote citizens critical understanding of the phenomena of communication. This was an early first step toward development of today s composite concept of Media and Information Literacy (MIL). UNESCO further reaffirmed the progression and gradual repositioning of MIL in the Prague Declaration Towards an Information Literate Society (2003), Alexandria Proclamation on Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning Beacons of the Information Society (2005), Paris Agenda or 12 recommendations for media education (2007), Fez Declaration on Media and Information Literacy (2011), Moscow Declaration on Media and Information Literacy (2012), Framework and Plan of Action for the Global Alliance Partnerships on Media and Information Literacy (GAPMIL) (2013), Paris Declaration on Media and Information Literacy in the Digital Era (2014), Riga Recommendations on Media and Information Literacy in a Shifting Media and Information Landscape (2016), and the most recent Youth Declaration on Media and Information Literacy (2016) and Khanty-Mansiysk Declaration Media and Information Literacy for Building a Culture of Open Government (2016). 2. UNESCO recognized in 2008 the importance of the approach towards Media and information literacy (MIL) as a composite concept: Information Literacy and Media Literacy are traditionally seen as separate and distinct fields. It was UNESCO s strategy to bring together these two fields as a combined set of competencies (knowledge, skills and attitude) necessary for life and work today. Through this composite concept, MIL considers all forms of media and other information providers such as libraries, archive, museums, Internet, films irrespective of technologies used. MIL harmonizes different forms of literacies (information literacy, media literacy, digital literacy, news literacy, Internet literacy, social media literacy, film literacy, etc.) and their links to social literacies such as intercultural competencies, global citizenship education, health literacy, financial literacy etc. MIL includes a set of competencies that enable individuals to search, critically evaluate, use and contribute information and media content wisely; to develop a knowledge of one s rights online; understand how to combat online hate speech, fake information and news and cyberbullying; understand the ethical issues surrounding the access and use of information; and engage with media and ICTs as producers of information and media content to promote equality, self-expression, pluralistic media and information, intercultural/interreligious dialogue, and peace. Justification to Strengthen UNESCO MIL Programme, including for the Global Media and Information Literacy Week 3. MIL is an ongoing concern throughout the world. The information, media and technology landscape is very complex and is rapidly changing. MIL recognizes the primary role of information, technology and media in our everyday lives it is seen as a life code that can underpin sustainable development. This potential of MIL is as a necessary step towards a critical, people-centred, sustainable development process. Engaging people at all levels of society can accelerate implementation of the sustainable development goals. 4. The amount of data that people create each day is so huge that it is beyond comprehension. The information feed is endless. People are overwhelmed with this and the dichotomy exist between what is real and what is fake as well as the amount of available information and the actual informed use of it by the public. It is widely acknowledged that media and technology play a vital role in

205 EX/34 Rev. page 2 promoting democratic values and inclusive societies. However, citizens are rarely equipped with MIL skills in order to participate in every aspect of public life, in the democratic process and make informed decisions about their own lives. 5. UNESCO is the leading international organization promoting MIL globally. The Organization s mission is to stimulate media and information literate societies through a comprehensive strategy that includes concrete actions and activities: UNESCO developed Media and Information Literacy Curriculum for Teachers, Guidelines for Preparing National MIL Policies and Strategies, articulation of a Global Framework on MIL Indicators, setting up MIL University Network, articulation of and establishment of an International Clearinghouse on MIL in cooperation with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and provision of Guidelines for Broadcasters on Promoting User-Generated Content and MIL. UNESCO initiated The Global Alliance for Partnerships on Media and Information Literacy (GAPMIL) as a ground-breaking effort to promote international cooperation to ensure that all citizens have access to media and information competencies. More recently, UNESCO implemented two Massively Open Online Courses (MOOC) on MIL for youth, in partnership with Athabasca University and the UNESCO-UNAOC University Network on Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue. One is an entrylevel MOOC provided youth with basic MIL competencies to become critical citizens and agents of change. UNESCO is also piloting an MIL Capacity-Building Initiative for Youth Organizations and related research on youth responses to MIL competencies in connection with hate and radical content online, privacy, intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The Organization recently launched the MIL CLICKS social media movement with the objective of imparting MIL competencies to people through social media platforms during their day-to-day use of social media. 6. And to highlight that this is the era of change and it is not just an empty phrase. In the information, technology and media landscape of our contemporary societies, it is a fair question to ask: do citizens understand how they form their decisions, do they have enough of credible information to make a choice based on facts and do they understand the consequences of their decisions. It is now impossible to understand the operations of the political process or of the economy, or to address questions about cultural and personal identity or indeed about education without taking account of the role of the media and technology 1. We live in a world where the quality of information we receive largely determines our choices and ensuing actions, including our capacity to enjoy fundamental freedoms and the ability for self-determination and development 2. As a set of skills that enable a conscious life, MIL is the GPS to live peaceably and wisely together in today s information, media and communication environment. Thus, it is imperative that citizens become media and information literate, so that they may participate in every aspect of public life and sustainable development. While the promotion of MIL is clearly an ongoing activity of UNESCO, this is a pivotal point to strengthen it. UNESCO has to do the little we can to expand the MIL programme making it a priority. A first step is to allocate more resources to increase media and information literacy. In conjunction with this, a UN Global MIL Week marked throughout the world through collaboration of all stakeholders is vital for advocacy on MIL, thus giving a consolidated message on the need for greater MIL development and raising of public awareness on this issue. Furthermore, the proclamation of Global MIL Week will motivate more UN agencies and other international development organization to coalesce around MIL as a tool for open and inclusive development and critical citizen s engagement in the SDGs. The European Commission is already consulting on a European MIL Week. The end goal would be an increase in resources for MIL in global development. 7. One of UNESCO s strengths is its strong interdisciplinary approach to development. MIL has linkages to all sectors of UNESCO. One example is the active cooperation on MIL and intercultural dialogue through the UNITWIN Cooperation Programme on MIL and Intercultural Dialogue mentioned above. UNESCO s intersectional projects such as the NETMED Youth Project and 1 Media Education A Global Strategy for Development; A Policy Paper Prepared for UNESCO by Sector of Communication and Information, March 2001. 2 http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001929/192971e.pdf UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Curriculum for Teachers.

205 EX/34 Rev. page 3 projects relating to the prevention of violent extremism have included MIL actions. Publications and guides in the Education Sector and the Communication and Information Sector connect MIL to global citizen education. Justification for the dates for an internationally recognized Global MIL Week 8. The week from 24-31 October for Global MIL Week was chosen as a week to raise awareness around the world on the importance and impact of Media and Information Literacy. UNESCO and partners implemented six Global MIL Weeks, with a feature conference, since its launch in Morocco in 2011: 2012 in Spain, 2013 in Egypt, 2014 in China, 2015 in USA, 2016 in Brazil, and 2017 in Jamaica. The eighth annual celebration will be held in Latvia and Lithuania from 24 to 31 October 2018. How the (Celebration of) Global Media and Information Literacy Week will take place 9. A UN-recognized Global MIL Week is one means of strengthening UNESCO s MIL programme. As mentioned in the section above MIL Week is a going concern and has been part of the C/5. The proposed UN-recognized yearly Global MIL Week will be led by UNESCO in cooperation with GAPMIL, UNAOC and the Media and Information and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID) University Network. GAPMIL is network of over 500 organizations from over 80 countries. It unites diverse actors committed to promoting media and information literacy (MIL) as a way to foster social inclusion and inter-cultural dialogue and connect all stakeholders creating simultaneously a bottom up and top down approach: bringing the practitioners of MIL, academia, youth, NGOs, and policymakers together to create mutual understanding and comprehension of all levels needed for the systematic development of MIL. The UN-recognized Global MIL Week will unite national, regional and international activities around the world. The annual feature conference will be an important opportunity for stakeholders globally, including members of GAPMIL and the International University MILID Network to meet and share the latest research, projects, new ideas and information with a diverse gathering of stakeholders involved in information and media literacy, and in print, screenbased and digital media. Proposed decision 10. In the light of the above, the Executive Board may wish to adopt a decision along the following lines: The Executive Board, 1. Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19 and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Article 19, and noting people s need to critically seek, receive and impart information through any media or art and defend rights and opinion, 2. Also recalling the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 17, and noting that people, in order to exercise autonomy and protect their privacy, need to acquire the related competencies (knowledge, skills and attitude) through media and information literacy, 3. Recognizing that media and information literacy can help to advance various Sustainable Development Goals, such as SDGs 4.7, 4.c, 5.b, 11, 16, and 17, by raising citizens critical awareness of access to information, their own communications power in this regard, their fundamental freedoms, and critical engagement with information that makes communities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, 4. Further recalling United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/107, which recognized that it is essential to empower people if sustainable development is to be achieved,

205 EX/34 Rev. page 4 5. Reaffirming the United Nations General Assembly statement in resolution 69/145 concerning World Youth Skills Day, which noted that the fostering of the acquisition of skills by youth would enhance their ability to make informed choices with regard to life and work and empower them to gain access to changing labour markets, 6. Also reaffirming the United Nations Security Council resolution 2354 (2017) on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, specifically paragraph 2 (g), which noted that States should consider supporting the efforts aimed at raising public awareness regarding counter terrorist narratives through education and media, including through dedicated educational programmes to pre-empt youth acceptance of terrorist narratives, and the United Nations Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, specifically paragraph 54, which noted the necessity to foster critical thinking, media and digital literacy coupled with related social literacies, 7. Also recognizing the importance of the Prague Declaration Towards an Information Literate Society (2003), Alexandria Proclamation on Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning Beacons of the Information Society (2005), Paris Agenda or 12 recommendations for media education (2007), Fez Declaration on Media and Information Literacy (2011), Moscow Declaration on Media and Information Literacy (2012), Framework and Plan of Action for the Global Alliance Partnerships on Media and Information Literacy (GAPMIL) (2013), Paris Declaration on Media and Information Literacy in the Digital Era (2014), Riga Recommendations on Media and Information Literacy in a Shifting Media and Information Landscape (2016), and most recently the Youth Declaration on Media and Information Literacy (2016), and Khanty-Mansiysk Declaration Media and Information Literacy for Building a Culture of Open Government (2016), 8. Further recognizing that media and information literacy is about critical thinking and constitutes twenty first-century knowledge, skills, attitude and ethical values for all peoples and persons in their quest for civic and social participation, self-protection online, self-expression, quality education, economic development, and to counter disinformation - in a world mediated by media and technology; media and information literacy being then an enabler to achieve social cohesion and just societies at the individual and collective contexts; information literacy and that commemorative activities are organized by many stakeholders in various countries at different times of the year, 9. Recognizing that UNESCO is the lead international organization globally promoting media and information literacy, 10. Noting that Global MIL Week is an ongoing action in the C/5 document and that UNESCO and partners have implemented six Global MIL Weeks, with a feature conference, since its launch in Morocco in 2011: 2012 in Spain, 2013 in Egypt, 2014 in China, 2015 in USA, 2016 in Brazil, and 2017 in Jamaica, with the feature event for Global MIL Week 2018 and 2019 to be held in Lithuania/Latvia and Sweden, respectively, 11. Also noting that there are no financial implications of this proposed decision for the regular programme budget, and thanking Member States that have made contributions to the success of Global MIL Week over the years, 12. Calls on the Director-General to strengthen intersectoral collaboration for MIL, including through the Education Sector, Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO Information for All Programme and International Programme for the Development of Communication, and to establish proper intersectoral coordinating mechanisms;

205 EX/34 Rev. page 5 13. Also calls on the Director-General to allocate appropriate resources to UNESCO s MIL programme to accelerate the development of critical abilities of media and information users; 14. Further calls on the Director-General to organize the work on gathering and analysing the information regarding the achievements of the projects within the UNESCO s MIL programme and summarizing the best practices which have resulted most effectively in enhancing the situation; 15. Recommends to the General Conference that it proclaim a Global Week of Media and Information Literacy to be observed from 24 to 31 October each year; 16. Invites all Members States, organizations of the United Nations system and other national, regional and international organizations, foundations, and intergovernmental organizations as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations, and individuals to duly celebrate the Global Media and Information Literacy Week, in the way that each considers most appropriate, including through educational and public awareness activities; 17. Requests the Director-General, subject to the final decision of the General Conference, to bring this resolution to the attention of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the possible endorsement of Global Media and Information Literacy Week by the General Assembly in September 2019. Printed on recycled paper