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Third National Stakeholder Forum on Media and Information Literacy held in Mongolia
The Third National Stakeholder Forum on Media and Information Literacy MIL was held on 25 November 2021 in Ulaanbaatar Mongolia under the theme Digital Literacy and Inclusion as a Booster for Infodemic Immunity The forum was jointly organized by the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO and the Press Institute of Mongolia as part of Mongolias national celebration for UNESCO Global MIL Week 2021
Mr Tapan Mishra UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia Prof Shahbaz Khan Director and Representative of UNESCO Beijing Cluster Office Mr Sambuu Boldsaikhan SecretaryGeneral of the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO and Ms Munkhmandakh Executive Director of the Press Institute of Mongolia delivered opening remarks More than 60 stakeholders including representatives from the Mongolian Government nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations attended the event and discussed how media and information literacy can contribute to addressing disinformation and hate speeches especially in and after a state of emergency and bridging the digital divide for inclusiveness especially for women youth the elderly and persons with disabilities
Mongolia has identified digital literacy and inclusion of left behind groups as national priorities as outlined in its Digital Nation Strategy With support from the Swedish International Development Agency SIDA UNESCO has been supporting Mongolia in this endeavour by equipping policy makers media regulatory and selfregulatory professionals with advanced knowledge of MIL policy and best practices and improving capacities to respectively adapt and apply MIL curricula and policy in Mongolia
Prof Khan in his opening remarks pointed out that the COVID19 pandemic is the first pandemic in history in which technology and social media are being used on a massive scale and on various levels to keep people safe and informed but at the same time the technology we rely on is enabling and amplifying an infodemic that continues to undermine effective responses and jeopardizes informed decisionmaking Therefore the importance of media and information literacy particularly digital literacy for all is more critical than ever Sustained and coordinated efforts are needed among all stakeholders He stressed
The second edition of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Curriculum Think critically Click Wisely Media and Information Literate Citizens which is an updated version of the first edition released in 2011 were officially introduced at the forum followed by a discussion on terms and definitions for localization to create a shared understanding and buyins at all levels
The discussions during the forum were centered around four major aspects including access to education during COVID19 and capacity building for the education sector in the state of emergency opportunities and challenges in transitioning to the Digital Nation and addressing the digital divide building MIL knowledge and skills to prevent and protect against disinformation and hate speeches and responsibility of media in social development and importance of ethical and professional conduct for the media sector
Discussion results have been generated into recommendations including developing a comprehensive national policy and strategy for MIL education promoting the new UNESCO MIL Curriculum and organizing training for teachers improving knowledge and understanding of MIL among journalists and media workers among others The recommendations will be delivered to the Mongolian Government for further consideration towards a national MIL policy
Under the theme Media and Information Literacy for the Public Good the UNESCO Global MIL Week 2021 highlights the needs and importance for each individual to be equipped with MIL competencies to understand contribute to and benefit from information and communication opportunities and at the same time advance the public good
Through capacitybuilding resources such as curricula development policy guidelines and articulation and assessment framework UNESCO supports the development of MIL competencies among all people Free and open online courses are available for selfpaced learning about MIL Through media and information technologies UNESCO facilitates networking and research through the Global Alliance for Partnerships on MIL GAPMIL and MIL University Network
For more resources on media and information literacy please visit httpsenunescoorgthemesmediaandinformationliteracy
