A Thematic Session at the 3rd UNAOC Global Forum, May 2010, Rio de Janeiro
At this session, the social importance of media literacy was addressed by the panelists from a multi stakeholder perspective. Media literacy was identified as an empowerment tool that facilitates the active participation of citizens in the political process of contemporary societies. This process is linked to the Latin-American tradition of alternative communication systems advocated by the pedagogue Paulo Freire. Several Brazilian media literacy projects currently implemented include the participation of young people in the process of media production and self expression, initiatives that develop citizenship education through team work and the collaboration with others in the creative process. However, although Brazil has successful media literacy projects in development, they have not yet become part of the public education policy.