 The Conference: Introduction and background
The European Commission promotes media literacy as a way of fostering active citizenship and participation in public life.
For this reason, the European Commission and EAVI together with the Communication and Education Office of the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona and Mentor Association, organised the 3rd EAVI International Conference in the Spanish Senate.
The conference took place within the context of the upcoming Spanish EU Presidency.
Objectives of the Conference
The general objectives of the 3rd Conference were to promote knowledge, debate, participation and the coordinated action of institutions and people interested in the field of active citizenship and Media Literacy. The conference dealt with goals, strategies and methods to promote active European citizenship through media literacy.
The following specific objectives were pursued by the EAVI Conference:
- Promoting an opportunity for networking among different stakeholders of the field, both at European and national level.
- Debating the various legal and political actions of the European Union concerning the promotion of active citizenship and media competences, in particular the activities of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and UNESCO.
- Analyzing different good practices in Europe and media related initiatives from the main international and national institutions.
- Involving political institutions in the promotion of active citizenship and media literacy through common strategies and specific initiatives.
- Proposing cooperation channels among regulatory councils and independent authorities related to communication, educational institutions, civil society and professional bodies, so as to increase the levels of media Literacy among European citizens.
- Designing and launching initiatives on citizen participation through the media as well as educational activities in relation to media literacy.
- Making an assessment of the current media literacy situation, at European and national level, in relation to active citizenship.
- Establishing a common agenda to promote active citizenship and media literacy concerning the objectives of the European Union in the field.
Contents
The Conference focused on the main issues below:
Debate 1: International Institutions and Media Literacy. European and international initiatives concerning the promotion of active citizenship and media literacy. Special attention was paid to the role of UNESCO, the European Union, the Council of Europe and civil society.
Debate 2: Active Citizenship and the Media. How to increase awareness in the political sphere on the need to promote citizen participation in order to ensure a better functioning democracy and the engagement of public interest.
Debate 3: Media Education. Analysis of the relationship between media literacy and formal and informal education activities, with a special focus on educational policies and official curricula.
Debate 4: Media and Power. Examining conflict, tension and problems in the relationship between power and the media, and the role that active citizenship can play in this area.
Debate 5: Minors, Youth and the Media. The participation of children and youth in the media, the measurements to ensure protection against risk and the full use of their capabilities. European and Spanish policies on the area.
Debate 6: Media Literacy policies (in relation to the upcoming Spanish EU presidency). European policies and their adaptation to the Spanish context. The function of regulatory bodies and independent authorities. Legal and civic perspectives.
The conference was developed in panels (sessions), there was, per debate, a key speech serving as an introduction, three or more panelists and a chair of the session.
After the mentioned presentations, a debate was opened with the audience. The sums of each debate's conclusions were included in the main conclusions panel of the Conference during the closing session.
To find out all the details of the Conference please refer to the navigation panel above.
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