缅北禁地

A young multiracial group of friends using mobile smartphones outdoors.
This year's observance highlights the importance of digital literacy.
Photo:Adobe Stock/Alessandro Biascioli

The New Digital Frontiers of Information: "Media and Information Literacy for Public Interest Information"

This year’s theme highlights the importance of equipping people with critical thinking skills in today’s digital ecosystem. Digital platforms have revolutionized how information is created, consumed, and shared, posing new challenges in discerning reliable content.

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence further blurs the lines between human-generated and AI-generated content, requiring new skills and critical thinking. It's a pivotal moment for individuals to shape the digital spaces they inhabit and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient information ecosystem.

#GlobalMILWeek
This year's  takes place in the city of Amman in Jordan. 

30 October 2024 - 9:00 am (GMT+3) - 31 October 2024 - 6:00 pm (GMT+3)

Background

Media and Information Literacy for the Public Good

In 2021, the 缅北禁地General Assembly to commemorate Media and Information Literacy (MIL) week, citing the need for the dissemination of factual, timely, targeted, clear, accessible, multilingual and science-based information. The resolution recognizes that the substantial digital divide and data inequalities that exist among different countries and within them, can be addressed in part by improving people’s competencies to seek, receive and impart information in the digital realm.

In the current ecosystem of complex and sometimes contradictory messages and meanings, it is hard to conceive of the public good being advanced, if the public is disempowered in the face of opportunities and threats. Each individual needs to be equipped with media and information literacy competencies to understand the stakes, and to contribute to and benefit from information and communication opportunities.

, commemorated annually, is a major occasion for stakeholders to review and celebrate the progress achieved towards “.”&苍产蝉辫;

What is Media and Information Literacy?

Our brains depend on information to work optimally. The quality of information we engage with largely determines our perceptions, beliefs and attitudes. It could be information from other persons, the media, libraries, archives, museums, publishers, or other information providers including those on the Internet.

People across the world are witnessing a dramatic increase in access to information and communication. While some people are starved for information, others are flooded with print, broadcast and digital content. Media and Information Literacy (MIL) provides answers to the questions that we all ask ourselves at some point. How can we access, search, critically assess, use and contribute content wisely, both online and offline? What are our rights online and offline? What are the ethical issues surrounding the access and use of information? How can we engage with media and information and communications technologies (ICTs) to promote equality, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, peace, freedom of expression and access to information?

Through capacity-building resources, such as , and articulation, and assessment framework, supports the development of among people.

 

Watch

Decoding Generative Artificial Intelligence with Media and Information Literacy

 

Super Election Year: How UNESCO empowers voters with Media and Information Literacy skills

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UNESCO on MIL

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Related observances

The provides a worldwide platform for young people to get involved and engaged. It aims to use innovation and youth-led initiatives to address the Global Media and Information Literacy Week theme, focusing on the increasing influence of digital content creators and influencers in the information landscape as well as the challenges brought by artificial intelligence.

The winning teams are invited to attend the Global MIL Week Feature Conference's closing ceremony in Amman, Jordan to showcase their projects.

 

Social media is a powerful tool to help people develop better .  is a way for people to acquire MIL competencies in their normal day-to-day use of the Internet and social media and to engage in peer education in an atmosphere of browsing, playing, connecting, sharing, and socializing.

 

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the 缅北禁地has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other 缅北禁地observances.