As cities are increasingly reliant on information, digital technologies, and media, their physical and virtual spaces hold immense potential for fostering social dialogue and learning. Recognizing this, UNESCO has positioned Media and Information Literacy Cities (MIL Cities) as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development.
As cities are increasingly reliant on information, digital technologies, and media, their physical and virtual spaces hold immense potential for fostering social dialogue and learning. Recognizing this, UNESCO has positioned Media and Information Literacy Cities (MIL Cities) as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development.
Building on the launch of the Operational Guidelines: Constructing UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Cities at the Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2024, UNESCO has taken significant strides to integrate MIL Cities into the urban development agenda. This was exemplified at the World Urban Forum 2024, Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation (5 November, Cairo, Egypt).
Participants—including mayors, city advisers, and education directors from seven countries—explored two pivotal themes:
“Urban development must continue to prioritize the needs of people. Our cities should reflect the diverse identities of their residents, creating spaces where everyone feels represented and valued. In this context, media and information literacy for all is central.” said Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, UNESCO.
The rapid evolution of digital technologies and generative AI has blurred the lines between physical and virtual spaces, profoundly reshaping information ecosystems. This transformation is accompanied by rising polarization, disinformation, and intolerance, occurring both online and offline. MIL Cities serve as a critical response to these challenges by fostering resilience, inclusivity, and innovation in urban environments.
Various local practices and creative actions that cities have taken toward building MIL Cities were discussed. "I believe many cities in the world have been implementing the MIL Cities related actions but are not aware that they are already doing it," said Dr Mariani Yanti, Head of Tourism and Culture of the Jambi City Government in Indonesia. "Helsinki is on a path to become a MIL City" noted Dr Marjo Kyllönen, Director of Education of the City of Helsinki, Finland.
Stakeholders called for the MIL Cities initiative to be promoted on a larger scale. They made recommendations to UNESCO and other cities participate in the MIL Cities initiative.
"The City of Liepāja is actively engaged in several activities that align well with the MIL Cities initiative," said Ms Nataļja Vecvagare, International Policy Adviser with the Municipality, Latvia. Latvia was instrumental in the adoption of the Global Framework for Media and Information Literacy Cities in 2019.
The Operational Guidelines: Constructing UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Cities. offer practical actions cities can take to gradually embed MIL learning into various urban spaces. These spaces include transportation systems, health facilities, media, shopping centers, entertainment industries, and community activities.
To effectively implement this guideline, community engagement was underscored as a key recommendation. "Don't focus only on policies or strategies from senior levels without engaging communities," highlighted Mr Jeff Nyoka, Manager of eLearning Services, City of Johannesburg Libraries, South Africa.
“This approach aligns with UN-Habitat's goals of advancing community-based solutions, where technology acts as a facilitator for socioeconomic growth and development.” said Roberta Maio, Digital Rights and Inclusion Officer at UN-Habitat, Kenya.
The collaboration between UNESCO and UN-Habitat will drive the advancement of MIL Cities.
Mr Foad Helmy, Professor of Planning and Institutional Development, national Center for Educational Research and Development, Egypt, emphasized his organization's readiness to help develop MIL Cities metrics to guide planning and measure progress.
UNESCO mobilized seventeen cities that expressed interest in piloting UNESCO's new guidelines. The cities are: Al Rayyan, Qatar; Amman, Jordan; Cairo, Egypt; Beirut, Lebanon; Central Paraguay, Paraguay; Doha, Qatar; Helsinki, Finland; Jambi City, Indonesia; Johannesburg, South Africa; Kingston, Jamaica; Liepāja, Latvia; Marrakech, Morocco; Mexico City and Puebla, Mexico; Nairobi, Kenya, and Santos and Sao Paolo, Brazil.
UNESCO calls on cities globally to pilot the Operational Guidelines: Constructing UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Cities to transform their cities into MIL Cities and share their experiences.
