Communication & Information
UNESCO defends and promotes freedom of expression, media independence and pluralism, and the building of inclusive knowledge societies underpinned by universal access to information and the innovative use of digital technologies.
Through capacity-building, policy advice, international cooperation, monitoring and foresight in the fields of freedom of expression, access to information, and digital transformation, UNESCO will continue to empower key actors with a view to ensuring that fundamental freedoms are guaranteed online and offline, in line with international standards.
Find out more about UNESCO’s Communication & Information Section
Programmes
Memory of The World
Open Education Resources
International Days Activities
Word Press Freedom Day
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every year on May 3rd and acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professionals about issues of press freedom and professional ethics. Just as importantly, World Press Freedom Day is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story.
Capacity building workshop on Sustainable Futures for Media- Empowered, Resilient and Independent
The Curaçao National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO Regional Office for the Caribbean in Jamaica, in collaboration with the Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC) and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) represented by its member TeleCuraçao organized from May 10-12, 2023 a capacity building workshop on Sustainable Futures for Media- Empowered, Resilient and Independent for journalists and other media workers as part of the celebration of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2023.
Professionals in the field of media in Curaçao were invited to participate of which there were representatives from the print and electronic media as well as social media and government. Facilitators for the various topics were Ms Kiran Maharaj -President and Cofounder of the non-profit Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC), and the Caribbean Investigative Journalism Network, author, journalist, media trainer, Vice President of the Media Institute of the Caribbean, Founder, Association of Caribbean Media Workers, and press freedom campaigner Mr Wesley Gibbings, Dr Paul G. C. Hector- Advisor for Communication and Information in UNESCO’s Regional Office for the Caribbean in Kingston , Constitutional Lawyer Ms Suzy Camelia-Römer, Journalists from TeleCuraçao Mr Franklin Haseth and Ms Nicole Maduro and Secretary General for the Curaçao National Commission for UNESCO Ms Marva Browne M.A.
During this three-day encounter the participants were able to receive and exchange experiences on struggles and developments taking place not only locally but also regional. Among the topics discussed were the challenges to Media as a Business, local challenges to Media Viability, Business Models and Growth Opportunities, the International Media Community, Developing Codes of Ethics for Media Organizations (Best Practices Self -Regulation), Artificial Intelligence, Disinformation, Fake news, Big Tech, Alternative Media, what is needed to have a successful media association, SDGs, Developing Codes of ethics for Media Organisations.
The participants participated very actively and at the end of the workshop they agreed to work on establishing a body for the media and other important aspects relevant to their work. Two lectures on the themes in Papiamentu and English on two separate days in the evening on ‘Achieving effective information separation for the purpose of preventing manipulation, remains a significant challenge in many nations/ Separashon di informashon for di manipulashon un reto den tur nashon’ were held for the general public.
International Day for Universal Access to Information
Recognizing the significance of access to information, the 74th UN General Assembly proclaimed 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) at the UN level in October 2019. The day had been proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015, following the adoption of the 38 C/Resolution 57 declaring 28 September of every year as International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
UNESCO provides a platform and frame for all the stakeholders to participate in international discussions on policy access to information in the digital era as it empowers individuals, enables informed decision-making, fosters innovation, and promotes inclusivity and social progress.
Participation of Curaçao in UNESCO Caribbean IDUAI 2024 social media campaign
Charting the Future: 🌊✨ As the Caribbean AI ROADMAP are being we launch, we envision a transformative journey where AI drives innovation, enhances education, boosts economic growth, and improves healthcare across the region. Together, we can harness AI’s power to create sustainable solutions that uplift our communities and empower future generations.
Message from Dr. Guido Rojer, Jr.
Message from Marva C. Browne M.A.
Message from Samira Z. Saab
Participation of Curaçao in UNESCO Caribbean IDUAI 2023 social media campaign
Celebrating International Day for Access to Information, UNESCO Caribbean asked a crucial question: Why do you think online access are important for access to information?
