[ecrea] First International Forum on Media and Information Literacy (MIL)

The First International Forum on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) is organized by the Research Group on Mass Com=
munication, Culture and Society; the Laboratory of Discourse, Creativity an=
d Society: Perception and Implications; the Faculty of Arts and Humanities,=
 Sais-Fes; and Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco, with the=
 collaboration of UNESCO as lead partner, UNAOC and ISESCO on June 15-17, 2=
011.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AI. Rationale for the Forum=0D=0A=0D=0AThe Fi=
rst International Forum on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) examines bo=
th media and information literacy because in the digital age and convergenc=
e of communications, information literacy and media literacy should go hand=
 in hand to achieve full human development, to build up civic societies, an=
d to lay the foundations for world peace and intercultural constructive dia=
logue.=20=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AThis Forum is the first of its magnitud=
e since UNESCO initiated the blending of the two concepts, media literacy a=
nd information literacy, to empower=0D=0A=0D=0Aaudiences to be aware of the=
 functions of media and other information providers, and to be more critica=
l and discriminating in their reception, evaluation and use of information =
and media.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AThe Added Value of the First Internati=
onal Forum on Media and Information Literacy=0D=0A=0D=0AIn fact, most of th=
e research, strategies and action plans undertaken so far in the fields of =
media literacy and information literacy are dominated by Western perspectiv=
es which stem from Western contexts and realities. As the stage of developm=
ent of media and information is concurrent with the stage of development of=
 particular countries, it goes without saying that there is a big discrepan=
cy between developed and developing countries in this regard. These differe=
nces are heightened by different contexts, frames of reference, cultures an=
d visions of the world, which should be fully taken into consideration whil=
e addressing media and information literacy.=20=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AT=
his Forum aims to examine, among others, the state of the art of MIL in dev=
eloping and emergent countries and to set the stage for MIL from cross-cult=
ural perspectives. In fact, while the North has gone far ahead in media and=
 information literacy, the South is still lagging far behind despite the ex=
tensive interaction of young people with media and ICTs in the South as it =
was demonstrated by the recent uprising in the Arab world. This is one of t=
he key variables of MIL that the Forum intends to tackle. Setting this deba=
te within an international framework gives the Forum more credence; present=
ations on experiences and critiques of media and information literacy world=
wide are highly welcomed.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0ADiagnosis of MIL Worldw=
ide: Interdisciplinary Cross-Cultural Approach=0D=0A=0D=0AThe last two deca=
des have given rise to conflicting attitudes about mass media worldwide: wh=
ile the media have gained an unprecedented power both at the global and loc=
al levels, it is largely agreed that their quality and ethical standards, t=
he watchdog function of the press, and the public sphere have regressed mar=
kedly, under the influence of the market place and political powers. The bi=
g loser in this game of interests is the media and information-illiterate c=
itizens/users/consumers/producers at various ranks of society, hence the im=
portance of MIL.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AThe proliferation of information=
 and communication technologies makes information generation easier but the=
re is also a need to organize this information into useful knowledge struct=
ures to liberate and empower media and information users/consumers. Besides=
, constructive debates / deliberations are of urgent need to tackle key que=
stions concerning the vital role of information and media in society and ho=
w to enhance free and responsible media and information systems for well-in=
formed citizens, active actors for human, social, cultural and economic dev=
elopment, and for a better world governed by democratic practices and appli=
cation of international law on egalitarian basis.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0A=
In this spirit, the First International Forum on Media and Information Lite=
racy (MIL) is organized to set the stage for a balanced and inclusive appro=
ach to media and information literacy. To this end, the forum adopts a holi=
stic approach to MIL. While addressing basic concepts of definition and typ=
ology, focus will be laid on approaches to MIL from various perspectives in=
 order to provide a comprehensive view of the issue. In fact, when we talk =
about MIL, we do not refer only to multiple literacies imposed by the infor=
mation and digital age, but we also take into consideration elements pertai=
ning to culture(s), society, politics, public relations, international rela=
tions, modern warfare, etc. which shape the global news, political and publ=
ic agendas. This is why we invite contributions from experts and  rofession=
als in the various disciplines of human sciences of relevance to the topic =
of the forum: media, communication, information and communication technolog=
ies, education, curriculum development, sociology, psychology, history, geo=
graphy, political sciences and international relations. We also call for th=
e participation of media and information organizations, research groups/cen=
tres, professional associations, civil society actors, NGOs and internation=
al organizations advocating media and information literacy for all.=0D=0A=0D=
=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AII. Thematic Areas=0D=0A=0D=0AThe main axes of the forum =
include information and communication technologies; access to information a=
nd media; information and media competencies; media / information and basic=
 rights and obligations; global media and information systems and their imp=
act on local cultures and public opinion; approaches to media and informati=
on literacy; the power of mass media and the empowering effect of MIL pract=
ices; media and information processes, functions and industries; how to dif=
ferentiate between fact and opinion, and how to detect prejudice, stereotyp=
e, defamation, manipulation, misinformation, disinformation and distortion =
of information for specific purposes; digital literacy; visual literacy; cu=
ltural literacy; news literacy; Internet literacy; creative cultural produc=
tion perspectives of media and information; media and information literacy =
as platform for intercultural dialogue; electronic media and cyber culture;=
 ICTs as platform for youth social participation; social media and citizen =
journalism; new trends in journalism and information systems; the watchdog =
function of the press; media and information, commerce and audiences; media=
 and information, politics, and ideology; global Internet governance; media=
 and information governance, culture and ethics; responsibilities of free m=
edia and information systems; responsibilities of informed citizenry; ways =
and means to revive the basic role of libraries, to make informed use of th=
e Internet, to enhance free, independent and responsible media and informat=
ion systems, and to build up media and information literate societies.=0D=0A=0D=
=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AProposed papers would be welcomed, but not exclusive to t=
opics, as the following:=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AMedia Literacy / Informa=
tion Literacy: Theory and Practice/ Policies and Strategies=0D=0A=0D=0AMedi=
a and Information Literacy Integration in Formal and Non-Formal Education=0D=
=0A=0D=0AMedia and Information Sourcing, Sharing, and Evaluation=0D=0A=0D=0A=
Building Knowledge Structures on MIL=0D=0A=0D=0ABlending Media Literacy and=
 Information Literacy: A Unifying Notion=0D=0A=0D=0AMeasuring MIL=0D=0A=0D=0A=
MIL and Governance: A New Civic Education=0D=0A=0D=0AEmpowering the Media a=
nd Information Consumers, Knowing their Rights and Responsibilities=20=0D=0A=0D=
=0ACreative Cultural Production Perspectives of Media and Information=0D=0A=0D=
=0AYouth-produced Media and Information=0D=0A=0D=0AInternet Addiction Disor=
ders and Antidotes=0D=0A=0D=0AFreedom of Expression / Freedom of Informatio=
n: Cross-Cultural Perspectives=0D=0A=0D=0ANews Media / News Values: Interdi=
sciplinary Approach=0D=0A=0D=0ADigital Literacy / Visual Literacy: Theory a=
nd Practice/ Digital and Information Divide=0D=0A=0D=0AMIL as Platform for =
Intercultural Dialogue=0D=0A=0D=0AMedia and Information Ethics : Comparativ=
e Approach=0D=0A=0D=0AMedia and Information Diversity: Comparative Interdis=
ciplinary Approach=0D=0A=0D=0AMedia/Information and the Construction of Pub=
lic Opinion=0D=0A=0D=0AMedia and Public Relations: Who Shapes What=3F=0D=0A=0D=
=0AMedia and International Relations / Media and Modern Warfare: Blurred In=
teractions:=0D=0A=0D=0AInterdisciplinary Cross-Cultural Approach=0D=0A=0D=0A=
Media/Information and Public Policy / Media and the Political Sphere: Inter=
disciplinary=0D=0A=0D=0AApproach=0D=0A=0D=0ANew Trends in Journalism / Crit=
ical Media: Comparative Historical Perspectives=0D=0A=0D=0ASocial Media and=
 Citizen Journalism=0D=0A=0D=0AICTs as Platform for Youth Social Participat=
ion=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AIII. Target Groups=0D=0A=0D=0AThe Forum bring=
s together knowledge workers drawn from all areas of life including academi=
cs, information=0D=0A=0D=0Aprofessionals, librarians, media practitioners, =
policy makers, civil society actors, experts from international organizatio=
ns, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations and other=
 stakeholders in the area of information and media literacy.=0D=0A=0D=0A =0D=
=0A=0D=0AIV. Expected Outcomes=0D=0A=0D=0AThe Forum is expected to increase=
 awareness and understanding of stakeholders on critical issues on media an=
d information literacy. Researchers will improve their knowledge and skills=
 in all areas of MIL; practitioners will become more sensitive to ethical a=
nd legal aspects of media messages and information design and dissemination=
; policy makers and regulatory agencies will be better equipped to putting =
appropriate policies and frameworks for enhancing media and information lit=
eracy; and educators will be better equipped with enhanced knowledge on med=
ia and information literacy to facilitate the empowerment, self esteem, cre=
ativity, and civic participation of individuals of all ages and gender. The=
 importance of the cultural component in MIL will be highlighted, as well a=
s the needs and specificities of developing and emergent countries. The For=
um is expected to come out with the Fez Declaration on MIL and a Plan of Ac=
tion to promote MIL and encourage international, regional and inter-regiona=
l cooperation to this effect. The Forum will provide basis for continual in=
teractions on media and information literacy across borders, cultures, fiel=
ds of study and professional practice through its bi-annual meetings.=0D=0A=0D=
=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AV. Forum Details/Timelines=0D=0A=0D=0A- Participation Fee=
s: European Euro. 80=0D=0A=0D=0A- Deadlines:=0D=0A=0D=0A- Abstract Submissi=
on: Extended to March 31, 2011=0D=0A=0D=0A- Notification of Acceptance: Apr=
il 3, 2011=0D=0A=0D=0A- Submission of Final Papers Ready for Publication: 1=
5th June, 2011 for publication in the Edited Book of the Forum Proceedings.=0D=
=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AManuscripts: WORD Form, 7000 words maximum.=0D=0A=0D=
=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AWorking Languages: English, French and Arabic=0D=0A=0D=0A=
-=0D=0A=0D=0ASubmissions:=0D=0A=0D=0A- Submissions of abstracts in English,=
 French or Arabic are to be done by e-mail to:
(Aan.medialiteracyforum /at/ gmail.com); Cc: Dr. Abdelhamid NFISSI and Dr. Drissia CHOUIT
(nfissichouit /at/ gmail.com)

Maximum  length of abstract=
s is 300 words.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AThe following details are require=
d:=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AName, title (Dr., Prof., etc.) organizational =
affiliation, postal address and e-mail address=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0ATi=
tle of the paper=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AShort biographical sketch of eac=
h participant, including main publications, field work and participation in=
 national and international scientific events, awareness-raising campaigns,=
 and (pilot) projects aimed to enhance media and information literacy at na=
tional and regional levels, etc.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0APlease note that=
 applicants whose papers are accepted for presentation in the forum are res=
ponsible for their round ticket to Fez, Morocco, while the organizers will =
take in charge accommodation and food for participants from 14th to 17th Ju=
ne, 2011.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AVI. Organizing Committee:=0D=0A=0D=0ABr=
ahim AKDIM, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sais-Fes, Sidi Moha=
med Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AAbdelh=
amid NFISSI, Forum Chair, Director of the Research Group on Mass Communicat=
ion, Culture and Society; Professor of Comparative Linguistics and Media St=
udies, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sais-Fes, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah =
University, Fez, Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0ADrissia CHOUIT, Coordin=
ator of the Forum, Adviser to the Research Group on Mass Communication, Cul=
ture and Society; Professor of Comparative Linguistics and Media Studies, F=
aculty of Arts and Humanities, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco.=0D=
=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AElhoucine OUAZZANI IBRAHIMI, Director of the Labora=
tory of Discourse, Creativity and Society: Perception and Implications; Pro=
fessor of Comparative Literature, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sais- Fes=
, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=
=0AAlton GRIZZLE, Programme Specialist, Communication Development Division,=
 Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France.=0D=
=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AJordi TORRENT, Project Manager - Media Literacy Edu=
cation, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, New York, United States.=0D=
=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AGeorge AWAD, Programme Officer, Communication and I=
nformation Sector, UNESCO Regiona  Office in Beirut, Lebanon.=0D=0A=0D=0A =0D=
=0A=0D=0AMisako ITO, Adviser for Communication and Information in the Maghr=
eb, UNESCO Regional Office in Rabat, Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AYou=
ssef BENABDERRAZIK, Professor of Linguistics; Coordinator of the Research G=
roup on Applied Linguistics and Media Studies, Faculty of Arts and Humaniti=
es, Sais-Fes, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=
=20=0D=0A=0D=0AMohammed FAOUBAR, Professor of Sociology, Faculty of Arts an=
d Humanities, Sais-Fes, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.=0D=
=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AAhmed BACHENOU, Professor of French Literature, Fac=
ulty of Arts and Humanities, Sais-Fes, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University=
, Fez, Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AMohamed Chokri IRAQUI, Professor =
of Arabic Linguistics, Coordinator of the Research Group on Language and Di=
scourse in Arabic, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sais-Fes, Sidi Mohamed B=
en Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AJawad RAMI,=
 Program Director, Radio MFM Sais, Fez, Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0A=
VII. Scientific Committee for the First Edition of the Forum:=0D=0A=0D=0A =0D=
=0A=0D=0ABrahim AKDIM, Ph.D. Professor of Geography, Dean of the Faculty of=
 Arts and Humanities, Sais-Fes, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, =
Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AElhoucine OUAZZANI IBRAHIMI, Ph.D. Vice-=
Dean for Scientific Research and Cooperation; Director of the Laboratory of=
 Discourse, Creativity and Society: Perception and Implications; Coordinato=
r of the Master Programme on Specialized Translation; Professor of Comparat=
ive Literature, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Fes-Sais, Sidi Mohamed Ben =
Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AAbdelhamid NFI=
SSI, Ph.D. Chairman of the Department of English; Founder and Director of t=
he Research Group on Mass Communication, Culture and Society; Member of the=
 Forum UNESCO University and Heritage (FUUH); Professor of Comparative Ling=
uistics and Media Studies, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Fes-Sais, Sidi M=
ohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0ADri=
ssia CHOUIT, Ph.D. Former Consultant to UNESCO; Member of the Forum UNESCO-=
University and Heritage (FUUH); Adviser to the Research Group on Mass Commu=
nication, Culture and Society; Member of the Laboratory of Discourse, Creat=
ivity and Society; Professor of Comparative Linguistics and Media Studies, =
Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco.=0D=
=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AJos=E9 Reuben Q. ALAGARAN II, Ph.D. President of Ph=
ilippine Communication Society; Chairperson of Advocacy and Social Mobiliza=
tion Program of the Manila-based Southeast Asian Centre for Lifelong Learni=
ng for Sustainable Development under the auspices of UNESCO; Invited as exp=
ert on MIL to participate in the UNESCO Expert Group Consultation on the MI=
L Curriculum for Teachers; Professor of Communication and Media Studies, De=
partment of Communication, Miriam College, Quezon City, Philippines.=0D=0A=0D=
=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0ARotimi Williams OLATUNJI, Ph.D. Member, African Council f=
or Communication Education; Fellow, Academy of Marketing Science; Editor of=
 the African Journal of Marketing Communication, Editorial Member, Internat=
ional Journal of Social and Management Sciences; Associate Editor of the Ni=
geria Journal of Communication; Professor of Advertising as Communication a=
nd Consumer Psychology; and Head, Department of Public Relations and Advert=
ising, School of Communication, Lagos State University, Nigeria.=0D=0A=0D=0A=
=20=0D=0A=0D=0ADobrinka PEICHEVA, Ph.D. Member of the Bulgarian Association=
 of Sociology and member of IAMCR (International Association for Media and =
Communication Research); Professor of Sociology of Mass Communication and C=
ulture, Department of Sociology, South-West University, Bulgaria.=0D=0A=0D=0A=
=20=0D=0A=0D=0ABheemaiah Krishnan RAVI, Ph.D. Editor-in-Chief, Indian Journ=
al of Media Studies; former Member of Karnataka State Commission for Backwa=
rd Classes, Govt. of Karnataka; Vice-Chairman, Public Relations Council of =
India, Bangalore; Professor of Electronic Media, Film Studies, Political an=
d International Communication, Department of Studies in Communication, Bang=
alore University, India.=0D=0A=0D=0A=20=0D=0A=0D=0AContact Information=0D=0A=0D=
=0AFor further details/enquiries, please contact:=0D=0A=0D=0ADr. Abdelhamid=
 NFISSI, Forum Chair=0D=0A=0D=0ADr. Drissia CHOUIT, Coordinator of the Forum
(Anfissichouit /at/ gmail.com)
University  of Winchester, a =
private charitable company limited by guarantee in England and Wales number=
 5969256.=0D=0ARegistered Office: Sparkford Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO2=
2 4NR=0D=0A

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