The Philippines, 22 November 2022 – The ASEAN Foundation, with support from Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, gathered master trainers for a digital literacy training in order to bring the curriculum to grassroots communities, aiming to reach at least 20,000 beneficiaries in the country. 

The training was done in partnership with two local implementing partners, Break the Fake Movement and Limitless Lab. 

“ASEAN Digital Literacy Programme contributes a lot to my life. I started to train with my closest circle which were my husband and children, then they fully supported me in my training session. I’m proud to be one of the master trainers who can share digital literacy that really matters in our life”, Lenie Castaneda, Master Trainers from Philippines.

Break the Fake Movement and Limitless Lab began the series of online “Training-of-Trainers” (ToTs) in July 2022, providing a comprehensive module and toolkit for master trainers to deliver digital literacy training to youth, teachers, parents, elderly, community leaders and government officials.

“We are proud to support the ASEAN Foundation and local organizations Break the Fake Movement and Limitless Lab in empowering people across the region with crucial media literacy skills that will be key in enabling them to remain vigilant as they navigate an increasingly online world.  There is no doubt that the master trainers present today will play a pivotal role in reaching deep within their communities to leverage various technologies and empower themselves, as well as those around them, to tackle misinformation. We are looking forward to the strides that this initiative will bring in creating a safer digital space in the Philippines and within the ASEAN region”, Marija Ralic, Lead for Google.org APAC. 

“This is not only a gathering. We meet here to share our experience and give appreciation to all the master trainers who spread digital literacy awareness across the Philippines from the north to the south. Congratulations! You are a part of a grand effort in fighting misinformation and disinformation in your country. We hope to strengthen the digital literacy skills not only in the Philippines but across the whole ASEAN communities,” said Cresentia Novianti, Project Manager for ASEAN Digital Literacy Programme.

Dexter A. Galban, Assistant Secretary for Youth Affairs and Special Concerns from the Department of Education gave an inspirational speech as support to master trainers in combating misinformation and disinformation across the Philippines.

The members and mentors of ASEAN Youth Advisory Group from the Philippines also attended the gathering to discuss opportunities for collaboration with the master trainers and implementing partners.