Empowering youth through media education:

 

Perspectives of the Media Education Seminar 1

-Fidelmah Urakupa

 

Port Moresby: The Media Education Seminar program began on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Seventy-one students and twenty-three animators and teachers from Catholic institutions participated in the first session of the Media Education Seminar from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. :30 pm. The seminar opened avenues of listening, participation, learning, interaction, inspiration and presentation to the participants of the different Catholic institutions in the Conference of Catholic Bishops, Waigani.

The program began with an opening prayer and welcoming words by Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB, EAO Region Social Communications Coordinator, followed by a preparation session facilitated by Miss Patrina Kaboanga. Fr. Ambrosio then presented the message of the Holy Father Francis at World Communication Day 2024, focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the wisdom of the heart. He highlighted the fact that as humans, AI is challenging our beliefs and values. Helped students understand the dangers of using personal data online, while browsing the Internet, how it is used to manipulate human mentality and the need to use devices to help people and influence others through our positive posts and inspiring.

 

Three sessions led and presented by volunteer facilitators followed. Miss Patrina Kaboanga presented “Posters with a Message”, emphasizing how to create posters and the reasons why we create them. He explained that posters can be used to promote awareness, advertise, educate, advocate and inspire. They must be attractive, capture attention, convey information effectively, advocate for change and convey inspiring messages that motivate and impact people. He explained that posters must be creative by having a theme that conveys a specific idea for the audience to act on while promoting a cause with a combination of text and images to create powerful visual impacts. "The goal of these posters is to capture the attention of viewers and convey a memorable message," said Ms. Patrina. He ended his presentation by assigning an activity to the respective institutions to create a "poster with a message" that reflects the theme of the Media Education Seminar, "I Have a DREAM."

 

Miss Lucy Napitalai emphasized logos, summarizing the importance of an emblem, a small design or symbol to represent public recognition of an entity, organization, product or brand. He highlighted the importance of using different colors, shapes, images, texts or combinations in logos, but emphasized that they should be memorable, simple and relevant. He added that each logo design or production must have meaning or tell the story of a company, and establish an effective and emotional connection with the audience. “Always remember that logos should be memorable, simple and relevant to your product,” said Miss Lucy. Their activity was to identify key elements of the World Communications Day message and design a logo for MES 2024.

The final session was conducted by Ahisha Mangot. Miss Ahisha began her session with a question: “Which of you loves taking photographs?” she questioned. The students who raised their hands said a word related to the photograph. He explained how photography works, its uses, tips and elements. “It is important to always take note of the three E's: Security, Stability and Flawlessness,” he said. He emphasized the need to use the strap for safety reasons, holding the camera steady during each shot and having a clean mind, clean heart and clean hands, as all contribute to clean or quality photographs. He concluded his session with a takeaway message; "Photography is an art that is used to communicate and documents moments in time!" Ahisha stated.

 

After a break, all participants and animators proceeded with the presentations of Message Posters, logos for WCD 2024 and photographs to inspire. Participants from each school explained their inspiring posters and photographs that sparked imagination and curiosity. “Follow the principles and guidelines to achieve your dream,” said a Marianville High School student. Another participant, Richard Pao of La Salle Technical High School, said, “There must be teamwork to make the dream come true.” A participant from Jubilee High School added: “Don't fall asleep thinking about your dream, wake up and pursue it.”