Media literacy brings generations together at Lusófona University

On 27 and 28 October, Lusófona University - Porto University Centre hosted the Intergenerational Media Literacy Autumn School, addressing the challenges of an ever-changing digital society in which information consumption and access to media vary significantly across age groups.

Organised by the MeLCi Lab (Media Literacy and Civic Cultures), the initiative posed a central question to the community: "What if different generations came together to rethink the way we engage with the media?" Over two intensive mornings, the event transformed the university campus into a living laboratory for shared learning, bringing together participants from different backgrounds and age groups, from young students to senior citizens. Its main objective was to promote the sharing of experiences, knowledge and perspectives on media literacy, challenging misconceptions about information and encouraging intergenerational dialogue on how the media influence everyday life, citizenship and social cohesion.

Going beyond traditional academic formats, the Autumn School adopts a diverse, interactive and action-oriented methodology. The programme is structured around three key areas: exploring creative approaches based on "art-based methods", analysing and developing public policies, and promoting open discussions on the field's major challenges. In the artistic component, participants use expressive forms to convey their perceptions of the media ecosystem. In the policy-focused strand, the challenge takes on a direct civic dimension, inviting participants to act as decision-makers and reflect on issues surrounding media education policies, addressing key topics such as disinformation, the impact of algorithms and digital responsibility.

The programme is complemented by discussion sessions that deliberately bring different perspectives into productive dialogue, allowing participants to compare the experiences of those who grew up in the analogue era with those of digital natives. Through this initiative, the MeLCi Lab promotes a highly dynamic and transformative approach to media literacy, understood not merely as the acquisition of technical skills, but as a critical, inclusive and ongoing reflection on the role of the media in contemporary society.

By building a bridge between generations, the Intergenerational Media Literacy Autumn School reinforces Lusófona University's commitment to empowering citizens and promoting shared learning towards a more aware and democratic media ecosystem.

View the event photographs on Lusófona University's Facebook page

Credits

Text, Video and Photo Editing
Helena Gonçalves

Event Coverage
Rosalina Baptista