UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
02/07/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/07/2024 15:01
Cambodia launches its first competency framework on Digital, Media and Information Literacy to empower citizens in today’s digital society
On June 27, 2024, with technical support from UNESCO, and in partnership with Sweden, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications successfully developed and launched Cambodia's first Digital, Media, and Information Literacy (DMIL) Competency Framework. This landmark event brought together nearly 400 representatives from various line ministries, CSOs, media, telecom operators, development partners, and content creators to discuss the adoption and implementation of the framework. Their collective efforts aim to promote digital, media, and information literacy among the Cambodian public, striving to achieve a vibrant digital literate society by 2035, leaving no one behind, in line with the sustainable development goals.
The event aimed to officially launch the DMIL competency framework, inform the public and relevant stakeholders about its completion, and encourage the integration of DMIL competencies into educational and training programs across the country. This unified approach aims to harmonize and enhance capacity-building programs related to digital literacy, promoting quality and inclusive human development, and ensuring Cambodia's competitiveness in the regional market.
The development of this framework began in 2021 through an inclusive and participatory process. The DMIL framework was shaped by input from key stakeholders across various sectors, aligning with international standards while addressing Cambodia's specific needs. It encompasses definitions, components, and essential competencies designed to meet evolving technological, regional, and global demands. Diverse stakeholders contributed to the framework, including representatives from the government, civil society organizations, media outlets, media houses, media associations, youth groups, the private sector, telecom operators, as well as indigenous organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities. Read more
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Developed in full alignment with Cambodia's digital transformation priorities outlined in the Pentagonal Strategy - Phase I and the Cambodia Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035, the DMIL competency framework aims to transform every Cambodian citizen into a "Digital Citizen", serving as a crucial pillar in supporting digital transformation across all sectors and leveraging technological advancements.
The objectives of the DMIL competency framework are threefold:
- Provide a clear vision of the competencies required for digital citizens in Cambodia.
- Enhance the effective and conducive promotion of the DMIL framework.
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Establish a foundation for developing curricula that meet the actual needs and conditions, and for assessing the competency levels of DMIL in Cambodia.
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The DMIL Competency Framework identifies eight core competencies that Cambodian digital citizens should possess, along with related behavioral knowledge, to ensure the wise, responsible, efficient, and safe use of technology.
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Despite various initiatives, digital literacy remains low in Cambodia, with only 32% of the population having basic digital access, 5% possessing intermediate skills, and a 1% having advanced skills as of 2020. This framework aims to bridge these gaps by providing a common, tailored approach to digital literacy, avoiding fragmentation, ineffective program implementation and ensuring comprehensive measurement of national literacy levels.
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His Excellency Chun Vath, Secretary of State of MPTC presided over the launch event and emphasized the need to have a common framework. He stated, "In the efforts to promote Digital, Media and Information Literacy, there is a need to develop a unified framework that is agreed upon by all relevant stakeholders to identify key competencies, behavior and attributes of "Digital Citizen" who plays an important pillar to support the development of digital economy and society."
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Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO Representative to Cambodia underscored that "MPTC and UNESCO are launching the Digital Media and Information Literacy (DMIL) Competency Framework, urging its dissemination and implementation through awareness campaigns and training for all citizens. There is a need to leverage public-private partnerships and existing projects by telecom operators, media houses, and civil society organizations to empower youth, persons with disabilities, and indigenous communities as digital citizens. Continued joint efforts are called for to sensitize citizens on DMIL's importance, ensuring they can participate in Cambodia's digital economy. UNESCO commits to continue working with all stakeholders on national campaigns and capacity building, including piloting the Readiness Assessment Methodology for AI ethics."
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Mrs. Camilla Ottoson, Minister & Head of Embassy of Sweden Section Office in Phnom Penh, at the launching of the report, stressed the importance of this report to promote literacy amongst the Cambodia public on Digital, Media and Information. Mrs. Ottoson added that "the inclusive and human-rights based approach adopted during the development process should ensure that every Cambodian has the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively and critically engage with the media and digital technologies."
This framework will guide the efforts of all stakeholders across Cambodia's society in promoting Digital, Media and Information Literacy towards a set of common goals, that are in line with the SDGs and the priorities of the Government of Cambodia in accelerating its digital transformation, and the fulfilment of Human Rights for everyone. It serves as a foundation for every DMIL key players to organize training courses within the formal education system, develop training programs for civil servants, and sector-specific training, and various other beneficial applications such as to integrate DMIL into formal and non-formal education, evaluate existing DMIL existing program/curriculums as well as to help inform the development of policy and strategies.
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Having greater knowledge of DMIL will empower Cambodians in all walks of life to access, evaluate, create and use content safely, effectively, responsibly and ethically, participate in society, promote dialogue and respect for the views of others, participate in achieving national development, and support democratic processes as part of lifelong learning. The DMIL competency framework will contribute to this aspiration, providing a common pathway for all stakeholders.
Globally, UNESCO is supporting governments and institutions in developing and implementing national Media and Information Literacy policies and strategies to help them take advantage of digital transformation, close digital gaps and ensure that all citizens can make informed decisions when participating in democratic processes. Learn more
This DMIL competency framework is part of the project "Strengthening Media Development and Freedom of Expression in Cambodia", which UNESCO is implementing with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).