As of July 3, 2025, Lusófona University and its research centre CICANT (Centre for Research in Applied Communication, Culture, and New Technologies) are officially members of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Alliance (MIL Alliance). This development positions the institution within a global network dedicated to advancing media and information literacy (MIL) across educational and societal contexts.
The MIL Alliance is a UNESCO-led initiative that brings together institutions, experts, and organizations from around the world to strengthen international cooperation in media and information literacy. Its primary goal is to promote the development of critical skills among citizens to navigate, analyze, and respond to media content in increasingly complex information environments.
Membership in the Alliance marks a significant step in Lusófona University and CICANT’s ongoing efforts to support media literacy education in Portugal and beyond. It also reflects a broader institutional commitment to addressing challenges such as disinformation, media manipulation, and the need for critical engagement with digital content.
According to Manuel José Damásio, Director of CICANT, the university's participation in the MIL Alliance “reinforces our commitment to promoting a more informed and conscious society. Media and information literacy is a key foundation for tackling global challenges in the 21st century.”
The Alliance includes a wide range of international institutions working together to support media education, with an emphasis on policy development, research collaboration, and public engagement. Lusófona University’s involvement contributes to these aims through its research, academic programs, and international partnerships in the field of media studies.