Media Information Literacy as a Public Good - National Conference in Palestine
UNESCO Ramallah, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, hosted a National Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Conference in November 2021. Nine civil society organizations active in the field of media and information, media experts, educators and students participated in the Conference.
In his speech, Dr. Basri Saleh, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education welcomed the participants and presented the Ministry’s methodology in developing Media curricula in accordance with UNESCO’s international media and information policies and guidelines. He emphasised the importance of cooperation among education sectors more generally. He also endorsed on behalf of the Ministry all of the combined efforts to develop school curriculums and ensured that it is in line with the Ministry’s strategy and shall continue to support its inclusion.
Mr. Samer Mousa, Head of Technical Education at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, demonstrated the role of the Ministry in the field of media and information; the support provided by the Ministry to the higher education institutes, whether at the level of students or professors or equipment; and the contributions made towards the development of research and scientific resources in this field.
On behalf of Mrs. Noha Bawazir, Head of UNESCO Ramallah Office, Mrs. Lina Benete, Head of the Education Sector, expressed her pleasure at this joint initiative. Furthermore, Mrs. Benete mentioned the vital and substantial role UNESCO has been playing in this field since the General Conference’s endorsement of the Global Week of Media and Information Literacy initiated by UNESCO in 2011.
Mrs. Hala Tannous presented the outcomes and recommendations of the first policy paper which was developed by UNESCO in collaboration with partners. The policy paper included an analysis of the context in Palestine and mapping of active partners who contribute to develop the media literacy sector. This paper and the conference are paving the way for the development of a National Policy on MIL.
From a global perspective, Mr. Alton Grizzle, Media and Information Literacy Officer at UNESCO’s headquarters in France, presented the new UNESCO curriculum on information and media education.
The Conference included presentations from members of the MIL coalition, each speaking to their area of expertise. A group of experts active in the field of media and informatics education sector, as well as school and university students in the West Bank and Gaza, participated in the conference, and shared their experiences.
Representatives from civil society and human rights organizations, as well as from the Government, raised valid questions and enriched the discussion with suggestions and recommendations to be considered, especially around adapting unified curriculums and a national MIL strategy.
The conference is part of the global Media and Information Literacy Week 2021 events, funded by the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP)