"It's good to know". Fostering information literacy as a core competency for conscious citizenship in a participatory democracy
Information Society Development Foundation ·Poland
About this project
<p>The project aims to (i) strengthen the availability, credibility & value of information as well as citizens’ capacity for critical analysis and evaluation, (ii) install and popularize a model of joint knowledge creation through participatory interactive formats: discussions & debates (iii) foster local dialogue in every possible form (conversations, meetings) in safe environment, (iv) develop core information literacy competencies (communication culture, critical thinking, conflict management), especially among civically passive or withdrawn participants as crucial for their involvement.<br> <strong>The main outputs are:</strong><br> • CSOs educate citizens in community or civil society activities and media literacy;<br> • 60 public and educational institutions/organisations partner with CSOs on civic education;<br> • 1500 people are educated about civic rights, participation and media literacy;<br> • 30 initiatives for improved/expanded civic and media literacy education are developed.<br> <strong>The main activities are:</strong><br> • Needs analysis in selected places, survey and development of intervention model.<br> • Meetings with local leaders, collection of topics relevant on the local level and outreach strategies towards selected target groups.<br> • Identification and recruitment of Facilitators of Information Clubs as informal leaders of the local community<br> • Series of citizens’ meetings in local communities to increase information literacy<br> • Event for participating towns facilitating exchange of experience, sharing practices and initiating cross-regional partnerships<br> • Cooperation within professional groups.</p>
Bilateral cooperation results
The methods of the Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue (NCPD) were the inspiration in creating the "Step by Step Dialogue Building Model". The cooperation included regular consultations, two webinars and intensive workshops in Palczew conducted by a trainer from NCPD, Christiane Seehausen. Additionally, Seehausen participated in the conference summarizing the project. Two study visits to Norway were also organized, which enabled the exchange of experiences and learning about local practices. Despite some difficulties with the partner's resources, cooperation with NCPD opened up the possibility of further cooperation and developing the facilitation competences of the participants. We are open to further cooperation, but this depends on obtaining financial resources for continuation.
Project partners
- Nansen Centre for Peace and Dialogue Donor project partner· Norway