Deadline: 13 September 2018
The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Rangoon announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a six-day workshop (inclusive of arrival and departure days) in Rangoon on Media Literacy for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).
The program will bring together 50 to 60 YSEALI members from the eleven YSEALI member countries, namely, the ten ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste, who have backgrounds or current experience working in media, the opportunity to act as trainers or educators on the issue of media literacy, and leadership potential.
Also included are leadership and other soft skills training, for example: on advocacy, negotiation, personal branding, which are core soft skills YSEALI members need to become effective leaders in their fields and in their communities. Additionally, participants will have a chance to join cultural activities, innovative media/technology companies working on this issue, and other site visits that reflect ASEAN culture immersion and media literacy themes.
Program Objectives
- In support of Department goals to counter disinformation and reinforce regional cooperation, the regional workshop on Media Literacy would be focused on journalists, bloggers, and other media producers who work in digital and social media.
- The goal of the four-day workshop would be to:
- build networks among practitioners who are working to build resilience to disinformation;
- enhance their skills to educate the public about disinformation, and
- identify potential solutions to creatively combat many of the problems associated with the misuse of social media in disinformation campaigns.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $120,000
- Award Ceiling: $120,000
- Award Floor: $100,000
Focus Areas
The YSEALI workshop on Media Literacy should have a particular focus on:
- Content:
- Basic understanding and importance of major issues in media literacy with a particular focus on understanding the digital media landscape and usage in the region, the differences between misinformation and disinformation, how social and digital media revolutions effect media consumption in the region, and how to determine the trustworthiness of content sources.
- Exploration of tools that can be used to increase media competencies and literacy including tools used to source information and validate content originators.
- Methodologies that can be used to amplify the media literacy message and equip attendees to become peer trainers or coaches within their own professional or personal communities.
- Exploration of strategic approaches to increasing media literacy in participants’ communities, including elevating positive voices, limiting the spread of negative messages, and working with media outlets and distribution platforms.
- Exploration of how participants can use their networks, tools, and leadership to increase media literacy and combat disinformation and hate speech online.
- Soft skills training
- Cultural bonding/networking activities
- Methodology:
- Panel discussions
- Speaker and student presentations
- Simulation activities and workshop-style projects
- Case studies and group projects
- Follow-on guidance and mentorship available for participants who choose to pursue more work in this area once they return home.
Priority Region: Southeast Asia
Participants and Audiences
- 50 – 60 registered YSEALI members who have experience working with digital and social media including journalists, media experts, media trainers, etc. The Recipient will carry out the recruitment of the YSEALI members as described below. Participants will have strong leadership potential and are aged between 23-33 from Timor Leste and the ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Participants should also show an interest in becoming socially active in effecting change in their home communities and will be asked to outline a national or regional policy that the media community would like to shape or influence and draft a strategic plan for how to effectively create that change. U.S. embassies will advertise the opportunity to registered YSEALI members. Selection of final participants will be made by the Recipient in consultation with the U.S. embassies in each of the 11 Southeast Asian countries.
Eligibility Criteria
- U.S. Embassy in Rangoon welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign non-profit organizations / non government organizations (NGO); and U.S. and foreign private, public, or state institutions of higher education.
- For-profit are not eligible to apply. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong linkages with a Myanmar-based partner organization.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply via email at the address given on the website.
For more information, please visit Grants.gov.