Media and Information Literacy – MIL
Media and information literacy (MIL) is considered a crucial competence in today’s society. MIL equips citizens with the competencies they need to fully benefit from media and information channels and to enjoy fundamental human rights, such as the right to freedom of opinion and expression stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
MIL combines media literacy and information literacy under one umbrella term, and includes a combination of competencies. Media literacy emphasizes the ability to understand media functions, evaluate how they are performed and use them for self-expression, while information literacy emphasizes the importance of access to information and the evaluation and ethical use of such information.
One aim of the International Clearinghouse on Children, Youth and Media is to promote the enhancement of children’s and young people’s media and information literacy and media competence.
In 2012 a collaboration was established between the UNITWIN Cooperation Programme on Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue on the one hand and the International Clearinghouse on Children, Youth and Media on the other. The first MILID Yearbook, 2013 presented during the MILID Week in Cairo, April 2013 is a result of this collaboration. Another two yearbooks have been published by the Clearinghouse in 2014 and 2015. More information here.
The UNITWIN Network is composed of eight universities from different geographical areas. The main objectives of the Network are to foster collaboration among universities, build capacity in each of the countries in order to empower them to advance media and information literacy and intercultural dialogue, and promote freedom of speech, freedom of information and the free flow of ideas and knowledge. The UNITWIN Cooperation Programme on MILID is based on an initiative by UNESCO and the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).