The eighth annual Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week was commemorated across the globe from October 24 to 31.

Initiated in 2012, the event is led by UNESCO and diverse actors committed to promoting MIL as a way to foster social inclusion and intercultural dialogue.

It is a major occasion for stakeholders to review and celebrate the progress achieved towards “MIL for All”.

This year’s edition continued to focus on the cities and citizens in the digital age.

In Asia Pacific, a Media and Information Literacy Seminar was held in Tehran, Iran, on October 22.

It aimed to address how MIL can contribute to improving the levels of information, engagement, and empowerment for all. By highlighting these issues, people can progress towards the objectives of open and pluralistic information systems, promoting sustainable development, inclusion, equality, intercultural dialogue, and safeguarding democracy.

In Pakistan, MIL Conference On Psycho-social Wellbeing Of Journalists was held on October 26.

The target audience of this event were media/communication students and journalists. Its objectives included:

• * Educating media students and journalists about the different types of trauma.
• * Giving orientation about the mindful usage of social media, the regulation of the stress triggers of information flux.
• * Teaching about the tactful usage of micro blogging websites in the age of censorship.
• * Giving orientation about protecting oneself from the possible traumas in today’s age – like cyberbullying

In Philippines, the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) launched the #ThinkFirst campaign on October 23, boosting awareness on MIL and uniting diverse stakeholders to promote MIL in the country. It encourages everybody to #ThinkFirst – think critically – before accepting and sharing any information, whether online or offline.