JCU Hosts International Media Education Summit

Mark Readman

On November 4-5, 2016 John Cabot University co-hosted the International Media Education Summit 2016, in collaboration with Bournemouth University and the Center for Excellence in Media Practice (CEMP). Media experts and academics came together to share research and perspectives, with topics ranging from a Lebanese perspective on “media literacy of the oppressed” to reflections on how social media can be useful to understand people’s behavior. In total, there were 140 attendees, five keynote addresses and over 70 papers presented. Presenters came from across Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia.

Yoko Akama

Richard Berger, from Bournemouth University, explained how the conference started in the UK and three years ago successfully went international in Prague, followed by Boston last year and Rome in 2016. According to Berger, the reason why this event is doing so well on an international level is because “people come together feeling they have something in common that goes beyond geography.” Lydia Kendall, the youngest speaker of the conference, presented a paper on the role of youth and social media after Brexit. In a provocative but constructive way, Kendall tried to spark a reflection on intergenerational dialogue and generational platforms.

Keynotes were given by Yoko Akama, Sonia Livingstone, Jad Melki, and Mark Readman. JCU Alumna Sara Gabai presented a speech on how human rights education in Italy could be implemented through media literacy. JCU Professors Antonio Lopez and Kwame Phillips also presented papers and ran workshops. The conference included a parallel Youth Media Education Summit, which involved over 15 Italian students from Rome high schools. At the close of the summit, students presented a summary of their experience, including activities based on the theme of media, sustainability and the environment.

Learn more about studying Communications in Rome at John Cabot University.