Gearing Up for Media Literacy Week 2009

Greetings, Media Literacy Proponents and Enthusiasts,

As GMLP’s Media Literacy Week gets closer and closer, I beam with pride and joy as our momentum to bring the community something extraordinary is uninterrupted.  Each day, now, more-and-more prospective participants report they’ll be joining us at GMLP-sponsored events, or they’ll be doing “something” media literacy-focused  at home or at work!. That is heartwarming in light of the foremost idea that media literacy is a citizen skill for all….for a lifetime!

As for the event, I tell you, a plentiful buffet of appetizing offerings awaits you at GMLP’s Media Literacy Week, Oct. 4-10.

And, on the heels of attending the National Association for Media Literacy Education’s (NAMLE’s), quality media literacy education conference in Detroit, just a few weeks ago, I’m especially enthused about what we’re  doing here, to create and sustain a media literate bi-state region.

We remain a model for others to do the same.  In fact, many at the conference engaged me concerning our progress with programs, collaborations and partnerships.  It didn’t hurt that GMLP shared exhibit space with one of our partners/members who had an exhibit table.  Mindy Bier and Cindy Pulley drew audiences to its exemplary youth focused efforts,  showcasing the Healthy Youth Partnership/YAY at the U of Missouri – St. Louis.  Thank you, Mindy and Cindy, for helping GMLP draw audience, and for all your hard work to show off our regional efforts.

What is obvious is the urgency with which folks, around the country and the world, are now viewing media literacy, and this makes me even prouder because GMLP has so steadfastly stayed at the forefront in terms of addressing the need.  I strongly believe, what helps us to continue in our unique role, here, is folks from all of society’s sectors realizing media literacy serves as a nexus for change, and that GMLP serves as a reminder of that, as it continues to be the premiere resource and community connector for media literacy.

As such, , I want to bring attention to the unfolding new, improved and expanding GMLP web site.  Soon, you’ll see our organization members’ page where you’ll meet these institutions and see what they’re doing to support media literacy, throughout the year, not just during Media Literacy Week.  Further, our education committee is working hard to build our resource site, to offer downloadable materials and key links in connection with the work GMLP is doing.

The mandate for bringing media literacy programming to this region is clear, sure-footed and firmly grounded at a time when media literacy, as a skill, is being lauded by more and more leaders, in a variety of fields and from around the world,  as a necessary life-long survival skill.  And, I’m happy to report, more and more media companies and personnel are involving themselves in the field because they are increasingly aware that an educated media consumer makes for better programming and content…..and stronger business models.

I thus wish to thank all individual and institutional members, and non-members, as well,  for committing to this important mission.  All of us have a stake in this cause.

More to come…..I promise!

Jessica Z. Brown