Media and Information Literate Cities

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MIL Cities: An Intiative on Creative Learning of Media and Information Literacy in Cities

The initiative “Media and Information Literate Cities” (MIL Cities) was conceived on the occasion of Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2018, which was celebrated under the theme “MIL Cities: Voices, Power, and Change Makers”. The Global Framework for MIL Cities was deliberated then adopted by over 300 participants at the Global MIL Week 2018 Feature Conference in Kaunas, Lithuania. Dialogue about becoming a “MIL City” is being initiated with a number of cities. If you have interest to become a MIL City, please read the MIL Cities Framework and contact a.grizzle@unesco.org for clarification and guidance.

The “MIL Cities” initiative places its focus on citizens. The main objective of the “MIL Cities” initiative is to set cities on a path to innovatively empower more citizens with MIL competencies while connecting with other cities across the world. Media and information literate citizens are able to understand the role and functions of media and other information providers, and possess basic knowledge and skills to critically and efficiently analyze and use media and information for self-expression, to become independent learners and critical thinkers, and to fully participate in and benefit from today’s growing knowledge and information society. “MIL Cities” can thus contribute to increasing access to information, stimulating civic engagement, enabling intercultural and interreligious dialogue, countering disinformation and hate, and creating economic, social and cultural opportunities.

The “MIL Cities” initiative takes into consideration UNESCO’s multi-disciplinary approach and have synergies with some existing city networks. “MIL Cities” will add another dimension to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities, highlighting how media and information literate citizens can participate in creating safe, inclusive, and smart cities, stimulating grassroots creativity and entrepreneurship. “MIL Cities” will be a bridge across the seven creative fields of “Creative Cities” to have an interdisciplinary dialogue. “MIL Cities” can also foster people’s learning about information, media, and technology in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.

Participating cities will be supported with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to diffuse MIL to their citizens as they use city services and participate in local development. The “MIL Cities” initiative is designed to build bridges between various city actors, notably local government authorities, city libraries, museums, archives, public transport operators, healthcare facilities, formal, non-formal and informal educational institutions, urban development agencies, and MIL-related NGOs and networks. Its implementation will hence adopt a multi-stakeholder approach. The “MIL Cities” initiative also aims to integrate MIL into municipal policies and strategies.