Reimagining cities for the digital age

Cities are increasingly built on information and digital technologies as much as on physical infrastructure. Artificial intelligence is being embedded into both physical and virtual urban spaces, transforming how information is produced, shared and accessed, and how citizens communicate and participate in civic life.

At the same time, communities around the world are seeking ways to strengthen social cohesion, rebuild trust in institutions and encourage meaningful civic engagement. The UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Cities initiative supports cities in addressing these challenges by embedding media and information literacy into everyday urban life and promoting informed, active and resilient citizenship.

Transforming information cultures

MIL Cities bring media and information literacy learning into everyday city life while strengthening the capacity of cities themselves to become spaces for critical thinking, dialogue and informed participation.

The event will showcase practical solutions that can help cities transform local information cultures and rekindle social interaction through four key dimensions of civic engagement:

• Attention: engaging citizens with quality information and public dialogue;
• Retention: strengthening learning and understanding in digital environments;
• Replication: encouraging positive participation and knowledge-sharing;
• Motivation: inspiring citizens to contribute actively to their communities and democratic processes.

Through exchanges of experience and innovative local examples, participants will explore how these principles can be translated into concrete city policies and initiatives.

A whole-of-city approach

Media and information literacy is not only an educational issue. It concerns the entire urban ecosystem.

The event, therefore, brings together leaders and practitioners from government, business, media, education, culture, civil society and community organizations to explore how creative MIL initiatives can support more people-centred governance and strengthen citizen engagement.

Launching the MIL Cities Chapter

A key outcome of the event will be the launch of the MIL Cities Chapter of the UNESCO MIL Alliance, creating a dedicated global platform for cooperation among cities committed to advancing media and information literacy.

UNESCO and its partners also invite cities around the world to commit to implementing the Operational Guidelines: Constructing UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Cities, further expanding a growing international movement for more inclusive, informed and resilient urban communities.

By bringing together local leaders, experts and citizens from around the world, the Media and Information Literacy Cities Event aims to demonstrate how cities can harness the power of social spaces and human connection, as well as information, technology, and media to strengthen dialogue, trust and civic participation in the digital age.