RMIT co-chairs global network for gender equality in the media

RMIT co-chairs global network for gender equality in the media

Gender equality in and through the media is the focus of a UNESCO-supported global collaboration between RMIT University and eighteen other universities.

Co-chairing the network is RMIT's Professor Lisa French, Deputy Dean (Media) along Dr Aimee Vaga Montiel from the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

The network's first meeting was held at RMIT Europe, which included a public forum open to researchers, students as well as journalists interested in gender, media and ICTs.

French said the public forum helped inform the network's strategies across research and education for promoting gender equality in and through the media on a global scale.

Global student and staff research projects and exchanges have also been identified as potential approaches to fostering equality across the media in addition to an exploration of the ways the gap between academia and industry can be managed. 

“And finally, we're also looking to develop gender-sensitive curriculum guidelines that will be available globally for educational institutions that are teaching media and ICTs,” French said. 

The work of French and her peers across the network is supported through UNESCO’s University Twinning and Networking (UniTWIN) program. 

Mirta Lourenço, UNESCO Chief of the Section for Media Development and Society, participated in the recent public forum in Barcelona. 

Lourenço said that UNESCO greatly values the network because it brings together researchers, teachers and administrators from different universities and from different countries.

"The network enables major dialogue beyond boarders and the development of important information for descion-making and policy advocacy," she said. 

Network members are drawn from all regions, including Africa, the Arab states, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

Story: Karen Matthews

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  • RMIT Europe
  • Media & Communication

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