Africa Media Conference Debuts in Abuja

The first Africa Media Conference, organized by the Youth Media & Communication Initiative (YMCI), an international organization dedicated to children and media, in conjunction with the British Council and the National Film & Video Censors Board (NFVCB) was held in Abuja last week.

The theme was "Media Literacy: A Tool for Youth Empowerment, National development and Democratic Engagement," which focused on the importance of media education and its impact on children and youth.

The roles of young people, their needs and realities in light of today’s rapidly changing communication technologies were duly explored as outstanding, innovative, local and international media leaders; role models and resource persons were featured, providing up-to-date, fresh approaches and perspectives to the growing media literacy field.

Papers presented at the event include: Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills – A Natural Curriculum for Today’s Schools; Media Literacy & National Development: The Challenges for Children and Youth; Empowering Children and Youth to Grow from Being Passive Consumers of Media to Being Critical Producers of Media; Understanding Media Images of Females and Males: The Role of Youth Media Organizations in Africa, among others.

Media literacy – the ability to review, critique and digest information created and disseminated by media of various kinds – is an increasingly vital citizenship skill for life in a modern democratic society.

It is increasingly being included in educational programmes for school children and youths in Canada, the UK, Australia, and the United States and youth in these countries are learning both in and out of school to become critical thinkers and creative producers of media messages.

The conference was designed for students, youth, teachers, parents, media professionals, organizations and institutions, agencies who work directly or indirectly with young people or whose products and services appeal to young people.

Participants at the event were expected to have learnt practical ways to incorporate media literacy concepts, methods, and materials into school, health, and community programs; explored publications and other media literacy-related materials with key stakeholders; learnt about media and its impact on the lifestyles of children and youth.