AU, UNESCO make crucial progress on information framework draft
The Information and Communication Directorate, in a collaborative effort with the UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA, or ECA), are working towards developing the first draft of the AU Continental Framework on Information Integrity, Digital, Media and Information Literacy (MIL).
This Framework will provide essential support to AU Member States to develop and implement comprehensive information literacy and digital competencies policies and strategies, and further empower African citizens to critically assess information, participate effectively in digital spaces and contribute to inclusive development.
‘This collaboration with the African Union on the Continental Framework for Information Integrity and Media and Information Literacy is a crucial step forward,’ said Rita Bissoonauth, Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office to the AU, ECA and Representative to Ethiopia.
‘UNESCO firmly believes that empowering African citizens with these essential skills is key to promoting informed civic engagement, countering disinformation and misinformation, and driving an inclusive and equitable digital transformation across the continent’
The development of this inaugural draft Framework is guided by key continental and international recommendations and decisions, including:
- the Continental AI Strategy, which was endorsed by the AU Executive Council during its 45th Ordinary Session in Accra, Ghana, on 18 to 19 July 2024, with particular focus on its recommendations pertaining to responsible AI development and deployment to ensure the integrity of Information
- the G20 Maceió Ministerial Declaration on Digital Inclusion for All, emphasising the global commitment to equitable access and digital literacy, and
- relevant decisions adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU at its 1214th meeting (open session) held on 13 June 2024, and its 1230th meeting (open session) held on 2 September 2024, underlining the nexus between information integrity, digital literacy, peace and security
Following the completion of this initial draft, a six-month regional consultation process with stakeholders will commence. This extensive consultation phase will ensure comprehensive feedback and broad buy-in before the Framework is presented for approval to the Communication and ICT Ministers and the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT (CCICT-6), to be held from 3 to 6 November 2025 in Addis Ababa.
‘In an era of evolving information landscapes, safeguarding information integrity is paramount to fostering trust, informed citizenship and robust democracies across Africa,’ said Director of the AU’s Information and Communication Directorate, Leslie Richer
‘This framework marks an important step in equipping our citizens with the critical skills needed to navigate the digital age.’
PICTURE: cottonbro studio/Pexels
This release was first published here
