This publication, produced jointly by UNESCO, the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the European Commission and Grupo Comunicar, offers a comprehensive and multidimensional approach to media education. It provides answers to key questions for media, communication and education professionals, researchers and policy makers.

This publication comes at an important juncture when media education is increasingly recognized as an important item on the development and policy agendas in developed, developing and emerging economies.

Mapping media education policies in the world offers a comprehensive approach to media education, considering it from three inter-related dimensions: its national, regional and global contexts; its value to citizens and civic participation; and the crucial role of collaboration among governments, civil society and the private sector in the process.

UNESCO expects that the information contained in this collection will inspire readers to take action that is informed by expert knowledge. Each reader can be a catalyst for change and purpose-driven media education programmes can aid this change.

The goal of this publication is to generate a trusted source of reference for policy makers, researchers and educators looking for information on best practices that will encourage the implementation of media education programs in their respective countries and regions.