Cambodia has finalised a key policy document to promote media, information and digital literacy across all sectors of society, according to a press release from UNESCO.
This was known after 41 representatives from all sectors of Cambodian society and Government provided inputs and validated the National Media, Information and Digital Literacy (MIDL) Competency Framework that is being developed by UNESCO in collaboration with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, in a two-day consultation workshop organised in Phnom Penh on June 20-21, 2022.
The workshop, is the last step in an inclusive and participatory process, that began in 2021. UNESCO and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, with the technical support of the Asian Media and Information Centre, have conducted an analysis of the socio-political context of Cambodia via an extensive literature review and a rapid needs assessment survey was deployed among key institutions and sectors to determine the perspectives, views and aspirations of various stakeholders in Cambodia about MIDL.
The culmination of this process was the workshop held in Phnom Penh on June 20-21, in which concerned experts from ten line ministries, CSOs, the media, private sector, academic institutions, organisations of persons with disabilities and indigenous people reviewed the draft MIDL Competency Framework, provided inputs, and discussed the application and implementation of the framework to build the capacities of Cambodian citizens to become media, information and digital literate.
The Royal Government of Cambodia, through its “Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035,” aspires to build a vibrant digital economy and society by laying the foundations to promote digital adoption and transformation in all social actors, including the state, citizens, businesses, to accelerate new economic growth and promote social welfare in the new normal.
Having greater knowledge of MIDL will empower Cambodians in all walks of life to access, evaluate and use content effectively, participate in society, promote dialogue and respect for the views of others, participate in achieving national development, and support democratic processes as part of lifelong learning. The MIDL competency framework will contribute to this aspiration, providing a common pathway for all stakeholders.
“In order to build a Digital Cambodia, it is necessary to build a society that is Media, Information and Digital literate. An important step to achieve this goal is to develop and implement a National MIDL Framework and Strategy which is at the core of the Royal Government of Cambodia's digital policy framework to strengthen Cambodia's potential to build a vibrant digital economy and society,” H.E. E Sophea, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications said.
UNESCO representative to Cambodia, Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, stressed that “the common competency framework that we are assisting in developing, is meant to guide the efforts of all stakeholders across Cambodia’s society in promoting Media, Information and Digital Literacy towards a set of common goals, that are in line with the SDGs, the priorities of the Government of Cambodia in its efforts in the digital transformation, and the fulfilment of Human Rights for everyone.”
The development of the MIDL framework is part of the project “Strengthening Media Development and Freedom of Expression in Cambodia”, which UNESCO is implementing with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
Ms. Camilla Ottosson, Minister Counsellor and Head of the Swedish Embassy Section Office in Phnom Penh, highlighted the importance of the workshop, and added that “the process of developing the competency framework is an achievement on itself, as it provides the space to have important discussions between all sectors, to define what kind of digital society does Cambodia want to become”.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press