MHCC - English and Social Science Week 2017

Theme: “MIL: A Platform for Peace building Discourse”

*MIL stands for Media and Information Literacy

Background of the Event: 
The increasing recognition and acceptance of technological advancement and explosion of media and other information providers have made it urgent for all citizens to acquire media and information competencies. Survival in knowledge societies requires that women, men, children and youth, in general all citizens, have the competencies to purposefully navigate the flood of information, decipher media messages they meet with, and to create and participate in media and interact online despite their race, gender, age, beliefs, ability or location.

Therefore, it is necessary to understand the function and the role of media and other information providers. This is also essential in evaluating media content and making informed decisions as users and producers of information and media content. Consequently, access to quality media and information content and participation in media and communication networks are prerequisite to realise Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or the Freedom of Expression. 

In the light of globalization and technology explosion, experts (information, communication and media), education policy-makers, teachers and researchers, NGO representatives and media professionals from all the regions of the world met in Paris, in 2007. The deliberations of this two-day meeting gave birth to the UNESCO Paris Agenda - Twelve Recommendation for Media Education Media and Information Literacy (MIL). The recommendation specifically aims to empower citizens by providing them with the competencies (knowledge and skills and attitude) necessary to engage with traditional media and new technologies. 

It includes the following elements or learning outcomes:
• Understand the role and functions of media in democratic societies;
• Understand the condition under which media can fulfil their functions;
• Critically evaluate media content;
• Engage with media for self-expression and democratic participation; and
• Review skills (including ICTs skills) needed to produce user-generated content.

In line with MIL recommendation, the first Media and Social Science week draws inspiration from the UNESCO’s 2016 media theme for global celebration of MIL Week. The highlight of this event includes activities such as seminar –workshop series, online contests, storytelling, and movie festival which are important opportunities for the stakeholders to share latest research, local and international policies involved in information and media literacy, in print, and screen-based and digital media. 
Recognizing the direct link of media studies and peace education, the celebration focuses on strengthening the use of media as a platform that promotes citizenship, freedom of expression and information, and democratic discourse among diverse community, thus, combined a set of competencies (knowledge, skills and attitude) necessary for life and work today. 


Major Events:

1. Blogs 
Students from Grades 9-10 cluster and Senior High School classes can submit an entry for this contest. Blog content must consist of 70-80 word essay. 
The content must comply with mechanics of writing grammar and should FOCUS on the theme. 

2. Digital Ad Campaign 
Each class from junior and senior class will submit an entry for this contest. One to two minutes (1-2 minute) Ad will be posted on-line (embed the Link to your WIX Site Menu). The focus of the Ad is the - Use of Media as a platform for PEACE. 

3. MIL Seminar Workshop Series 
Selected faculty members and students from Grade 11 will form teams who will prepare for seminar workshop series. Each team is led by a faculty who will also serve as a lecturer during the seminar while student partners will serve as a steering committee. The two hour seminar workshop is based on UNESCO MIL module inspired by this year’s theme. Student audience will enlist his/herself chosen topics before the event for the even distribution of audience.