Freedom of expression goes to school
26-03-2008 (Paris)
Experts discussing the Toolkit.
© UNESCO
A major step in the development of a Freedom of Expression Toolkit was taken at UNESCO Headquarters in March. Twenty experts from around the world came together to discuss the development of this course of study, aimed at high school and undergraduate level students, for two days on 19-20 March.
This educational material is intended to deepen the understanding of freedom of expression and press freedom among young people.
The working group focused its attention on a draft prepared by lead editor, Prof. Susan Moeller, associate professor of Media and International Affairs at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, director of the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda (ICMPA) at the University of Maryland and co-director of the Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change. During the two-day discussion and debate, the experts introduced concepts about freedom of expression drawn from their own experiences and relevant to their respective political and cultural environments.
Each member of the team analysed, in advance, a specific section of the draft and provided comments and recommendations to further enhance the usefulness of the tool. It was essential to evaluate the document from different perspectives, taking into consideration that it will be available for any school system to include in it broader curricula. While it was clear from the discussions that freedom of expression has a number of interpretations, there are founding principles that must be respected as outlined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The final version of the Toolkit is to be developed by June 2008 following further peer review. Plans are also underway to field test the Toolkit with the support of the visiting experts.
The working group focused its attention on a draft prepared by lead editor, Prof. Susan Moeller, associate professor of Media and International Affairs at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland, director of the International Center for Media and the Public Agenda (ICMPA) at the University of Maryland and co-director of the Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change. During the two-day discussion and debate, the experts introduced concepts about freedom of expression drawn from their own experiences and relevant to their respective political and cultural environments.
Each member of the team analysed, in advance, a specific section of the draft and provided comments and recommendations to further enhance the usefulness of the tool. It was essential to evaluate the document from different perspectives, taking into consideration that it will be available for any school system to include in it broader curricula. While it was clear from the discussions that freedom of expression has a number of interpretations, there are founding principles that must be respected as outlined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The final version of the Toolkit is to be developed by June 2008 following further peer review. Plans are also underway to field test the Toolkit with the support of the visiting experts.
Susan Moeller and George Papagiannis.
© UNESCO
Related themes/countries
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2008
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- George Papagiannis, UNESCO, Divison for Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace
- Anna Poplavskaia, UNESCO, Divison for Freedom of Expression, Democracy and Peace
- UNESCO
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