Human Rights & Media Literacy

People in Need recognizes that media literacy is a prerequisite for active citizenship. In recent years, the dramatic growth in citizens’ exposure to fake news and propaganda via social media and online sources has highlighted the need for youth to have the knowledge and tools to objectively analyze the myriad of information available. Relief and Development Department of PIN, working in coordination with the colleagues from the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, provides various activities to enhance and increase socialization of human rights and media literacy skills in Moldova. Besides providing a solid and continuous support to local civil society, PIN strives to create a resilient and inclusive society using in-house methodology – One World in Schools. It targets the next generation of active citizens and lays the foundation for them to hold their governments accountable and responsive to the needs of their constituents. The methodology achieves this via a range of films topics and follow up activities that introduce young people to civic life. OWIS focuses on strengthening the capacity of teachers and youth leaders to deliver the methodology while youth themselves engage in integrated activities aimed at developing active citizens. As a result, it is a starting point from which youth can critically analyze the world around them and gain the skills and motivation to fight injustice and improve the communities in which they live. OWIS uses documentary films to initiate debate about complicated topics with the aim to change attitudes among the younger generation. It is an indispensable tool to develop critical thinking skills and can be adapted to focus on a variety of topics including human rights, environmental protection, among others. The films are organized in audio visual lessons jointly designed by OWIS experts and teachers and include a documentary film, lesson plans, accompanying interactive activities/ discussion points and recommended sources for further research. As part of the OWIS ‘package’, all participating teachers are trained on how to use documentary films as a teaching method and organize lessons using the OWIS materials. Outside of the classroom, OWIS can also be a non-formal education tool by local organizations or youth groups going further attitude change and inspiring young people to changes in their communities. The impact of OWIS is clear – it opens the eyes of young people who would otherwise have limited opportunities to develop their critical thinking skills or imagine how they can make a difference in their society.