Nurturing Trust through Media and Information Literacy: Get Involved in UNESCO Global MIL Week 2022
12 October 2022
Every year, the UNESCO Global Media & Information Literacy (MIL) Week (24-31 October) helps raise awareness of the need for an international effort towards helping all people become informed consumers and creators of information and media.
In 2022, Global MIL Week, hosted by Nigeria, will focus is on MIL’s role in nurturing trust, advancing social protection, and encouraging collective solidarity, to be explored through the theme, “Nurturing trust: A Media and Information Literacy Imperative”.
Nurturing Trust Through MIL
In the Concept Note for Global MIL Week 2022, UNESCO highlights the following factors by which MIL can support trust and counter mistrust, by equipping people and institutions to:
- Critically listen, read, and verify before sharing information.
- Facilitate access and understanding of information about human rights, digital rights, and rights to privacy.
- Push for transparency and ethics among key stakeholders in the information and digital landscapes.
- Advocate freedom of information and freedom of expression.
- Foster discerning engagement with people, information, and digital spaces.
- Strengthen platforms for dialogue.
- Reflect and analyse information and communication platforms with appropriate mindset and attitude
- Engage information holistically to see through the nuances of accompanying mistrust
Source: UNESCO, Nurturing Trust: A Media and Information Literacy Imperative; Global Media and Information Literacy Week, 24-31 October 2022, CI-MID/2022/PI/2, 2022, available from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000382634
Libraries and MIL
Libraries have a key role to play in carrying out many of these activities. From helping users access and critically analyse information, to building understanding about human rights, freedom of information and expression, and engaging in dialogue – libraries are a central part in connecting these values with users who can benefit most.
Find out more about Global MIL Week and why it matters to libraries in IFLA’s GET INTO… Guide:
GET INTO... Global MIL Week Global Media & Information Literacy Week 2022
The goal of Global Media & Information Literacy (MIL) Week is to raise awareness of the need for an international effort towards helping citizens become informed consumers and creators of information and media. This guide can help libraries think about how they can take part in discussing and celebr...
Take Part in Global MIL Week
UNESCO invites library professionals to get involved in the Global MIL Week celebrations. You can do this by registering for virtual participation in the Global MIL Week Feature Conference and by organising an in-person or virtual side event in your library.
Global MIL Week Feature Conference
The 2022 UNESCO Global MIL Week Feature Conference will take place both in person and online and bring together select government representatives, experts, and practitioners to discuss the role of MIL competencies in advancing the public good.
IFLA will join several panels to explore the role of libraries and civil society organisations in nurturing trust through MIL.
The programme also features a Youth Agenda Forum, bringing together young people to examine the theme, “Nurturing trust: A Media and Information Literacy Imperative”.
See the full programme here: Global MIL Week 2022 Feature Conference Agenda
Register and join the virtual conference platform here: Global MIL Week 2022 Feature Conference
Organise a Side Event
You are invited to spark a conversation about MIL during Global MIL Week! This does not have to be elaborate or expensive – there are many ideas for low/no-cost ways to encourage a dialogue on MIL that you can explore.
Download the flyer here: UNESCO – How Libraries can Celebrate Global MIL Week
You can find even more ideas online here: How to Celebrate Global MIL Week (UNESCO)
Share your Event with the World
Help demonstrate how libraries promote MIL for all by registering your Side Event on UNESCO’s website!
Your event will join others from around the world in showing the many ways different stakeholders can take part in this global dialogue.
Don’t forget to engage with your community on social media. Tag #GlobalMILWeek2022 to join the global conversation
Get in touch with IFLA to let us know that you would like to plan a side event. Contact: claire.mcguire@ifla.org