Fourth Global Media and Information Literacy Youth Hackathon

Last update:11 May 2023

The UNESCO annual Global Media and Information Literacy Week is a major occasion for stakeholders to review and celebrate the progress achieved towards 鈥淢edia and Information Literacy for All鈥 and a UN international Day.

This year, the Youth Agenda Forum will be happening throughout the Global Media and Information Literacy Week from the 24th to the 31st of October 2022 in Abuja, Nigeria and online. The Forum will center around the topic of 鈥淢edia and Information Literate Youth Engaging in Nurturing Trust and Solidarity鈥. 

The Global Media and Information Literacy Youth Hackathon is an occasion for young people and youth organizations around the world to participate in the creation of innovative MIL learning in meaningful ways. Following the previous three successful editions, the fourth Global Media and Information Literacy Youth Hackathon will be held during Global MIL Week 2022. UNESCO and partners will call on youth worldwide to participate in this virtual hackathon to design innovative solutions to a defined set of social challenges, in connection with the year鈥檚 theme.

Youth from local schools, universities, youth centres, and youth organizations, as well as young leaders from around the globe, are invited to participate. The winning teams and the outcome of the Hackathon will be presented during the Global MIL Week Youth Agenda Forum.

Apply

Timeline

  • 11 October 2022: Registration ends
  • 12-18 October 2022: Hacking process and two-day mentoring on Hacking Media and Information Literacy 
  • 19 October 2022: Submission of pitches (Written/Power Point description as well as 3-minute video pitch)
  • 20-24 October 2022: Judging process
  • 24 October 2022: Announcement of winners
  • 27 October 2022: Presentation of the winners and outcome during the Global MIL Week 2022 Youth Agenda Forum

Eligibility

  • Participating teams will comprise 3-6 members (ensuring gender parity, teams can be national, regional, or international).
  • Any group of persons who are aged between 18 and 35 years and adheres to the values of UNESCO, such as peace, respect for diversity, freedom of expression etc. 
  • No previous computer science or coding background is required.
  • Experience and expertise in gaming, mobile application, website and radio/media content development would be an asset.

Task and challenges

The participating teams will design innovative and creative solutions to one of the following three challenges:

  • Promoting Media and Information Literacy in Digital Spaces (Read to be inspired )
  • Media and Information Literacy within Youth Organizations: Youth Championing Media and Information Literacy in Cities (Read to be inspired )
  • Innovative Ideas/solutions on media and  information  literacy to nurture trust in establish institutions (Read to be inspired here)

Solution categories

  • Game
  • Application/Website
  • Radio programme/Podcast
  • Creative community-based intervention (non-technology focused)
  • We consider your own creative modality as well for innovative interventions

Submission format

Prototype of the solution and a 3-minute video pitch (a creative format is strongly recommended), which must present:

  • The team composition
  • Problem statement, objectives, audience, and alignment with one of the three challenges
  • Explanation of the prototype
  • Feasibility
  • Deployment strategies / Business model and evidence of market validation
  • Sustainability

Mentoring

  • Regional and Global hackathon organizers will provide participants with a two-day mentoring programme in media and information literacy and hackathon purposes and methodology.
  • Mentoring session will be provided in English.
  • Organizers will provide e-mail / chat support to participants throughout the event.

Judging

  • An independent judging panel composed of 7 to 12 judges (ensuring gender parity) is being selected by UNESCO.
  • Judges shall not have affiliations or relationships with any of the participating teams or team members.

Evaluation criteria

  • Consistency
  • Excellence
  • Feasibility and Sustainability
  • Potential Impact

Recognition for participation and winning teams

All participating teams will receive a certificate of participation.

Winning teams will gain:

  • Opportunity to present their projects globally during an online press conference at the Global MIL Week 2022 Youth Agenda Forum
  • Invitation to UNESCO鈥檚 Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2023 Feature Events
  • A winning certificate from UNESCO
  • Recognition through a UNESCO press release and various media channels

This event is organized within the framework of the Global Media and Information Literacy Week 2022 - Youth Agenda Forum.

We look forward to your participation and please do not hesitate to contact UNESCO should you have more questions.