REGISTER: Media Meets Literacy Conference in Sarajevo

Register for the 2nd edition of the Media Meets Literacy conference! Key-figures in the field of media literacy education will meet and exchange ideas about the challenges of new media with a focus on disinformation and civic competences.

Mediawise honorary member, prof. David Buckingham will be one of them, along with Renee Hobbs (media literacy professor at the University of Rhode Island) Megan Boler, Professor of media and education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto and Evgeny Morozov, a writer and researcher who studies political and social implications of technology.

We will be there to share our media education experience in Romania and in the region and learn about new media literacy strategies from the best people in the field. More details in the press release below.

PRESS RELEASE

Taking place in Sarajevo from 21 until 22 September, the Evens Foundation’s 2nd Media Meets Literacy Conference, “Information, disinformation, civic competences. Exploring the challenges of the rapidly changing media world” will convene more than 200 media and information literacy professionals from institutions, NGOs, media outlets and academia from all over the world.

The effective development of media literacy and critical thinking calls for a multi-disciplinary approach and the Evens Foundation wants to recall the important role that non-formal and informal learning can play in this regard. In 2017 Evens Foundation decided to organize the conference in Sarajevo, to give more focus to SEE media and information literacy field. The conference is organized in partnership with European Commission, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and Mediacentar Sarajevo.

“We’ve witnessed in the past few years a tidal wave of fake news, disinformation and propaganda, rapidly disseminated through the Internet and other media. Given the social and political consequences, it is more crucial than ever that our citizens be critical users of the media.” says Joanna Krawczyk, the organizer of the conference. „The Evens Foundation believes it is crucial that attention be paid to developing media literacy and critical thinking in education and training at all levels, including through citizenship and media education.”

During Media Meets Literacy in Sarajevo in September 2017, media literacy professionals from all over Europe will explore these huge challenges of our rapidly changing media world.

The conference opens with keynote addresses by Megan Boler, Professor of media and education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, and Evgeny Morozov, a writer and researcher who studies political and social implications of technology. They will raise broad and provocative questions around technological, civic and media landscape of today, with focus on a question of media skills and the role they play in fostering empowered, peaceful democratic societies at a time when information literacy and critical thinking toward the media are more crucial than ever.

The conference’s main plenary will try to answer the questions what competencies, tools and initiatives do we need to deal with waves of disinformation and propaganda and how we can best teach a critical approach to the media.

The issues of the vision for the future of media and information literacy and promotion of good journalism and developing new technologies to safeguard democracy and citizenship will be raised during breakout sessions and inspirational presentations. The concluding keynote will be delivered by Prof. David Buckingham from Longborough University.

Speakers in the conference include: Martina Chapman (Mercury Insights); Marijana Matovic (University of Belgrade); Jordi Torrent (United Nations Alliance of Civilizations); Aidan White (Ethical Journalism Network), Nensi Blažević (Al Jazeera).

The conference is preceded by the Propaganda Lab: Seminars on Contemporary Propaganda (19-20 September 2017) led by Prof. Renee Hobbs from Rhode Island University.

Accompanied by networking events, including the ceremony of Awarding the fifth Evens Prize for Media Education, the event will provide the conference participants with the learn more about media information and education initiates in the region, and Europe.

The conference will be held in Sarajevo National Theatre. Additional breakout sessions will be held in Kino Meeting Point and Networks.

The conference is free of charge, by registration only. For further information please visit: www.mediameetsliteracy.eu

About the Evens Foundation

The Evens Foundation is a public benefit foundation based in Antwerp, Belgium and with offices in Paris and Warsaw. The Evens Foundation initiates and supports sustainable projects, and awards biennial prizes that contribute to the progress and strengthening of Europe based on cultural and social diversity. To promote harmonious living together, the Evens Foundation aims to stimulate efforts to increase media literacy – by raising critical awareness, which implies comprehension and cultural awareness, and by encouraging media creativity. Both of these contribute to the development of highly aware, active and responsible citizens. The Evens Foundation’s media program focuses on learning about the media, with media literacy as an expected outcome. It aims to develop both critical understanding of the media and active participation in the media (production). The Evens Foundation focuses on supporting projects that “empower citizens with the critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills to make them judicious consumers and producers of information (…).” In addition, the Evens Prize for Media Education is awarded biennially.

www.evensfoundation.be

Press contact:

Participation in the conference is complimentary for the media. If you would like to receive accreditation for the conference and/or interview one of the conference speakers or the organiser please contact: Ines Bulajic | Mediacentar Sarajevo|email: ines.d.bulajic@gmail.com