Terms of Reference

Translation in Burmese, Lao, Thai, Vietnamese

Background

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, viral online misinformation and disinformation are spreading unchecked, to the point that the World Economic Forum identified it as one of the biggest threats to society. ASEAN is also not immune to this threat. Young people are among the most vulnerable groups prone to radicalisation, hate speech, false news and intolerance.

Based on a UNESCO study, 54% of youth respondents didn't know how to respond to hate and extremist material they encounter online. However, on a more encouraging note, 92% of youth respondents embraced the idea that media and information literacy competencies can help to empower young people to protect themselves from radical and extremist groups and counter hate speech online.

ASEAN is taking a concrete step to prevent misinformation and disinformation. In 2018, the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information adopted the Framework and Joint Statement to Minimise the Harmful Effects of Fake News. ASEAN has also launched its ASEAN Digital Literacy, which aims to promote greater cybersecurity as part of the fight against online disinformation. In addition, 2021 saw ASEAN develop a guideline of Training of Trainers programme that targets secondary school teachers, university tutors and lecturers to improve the digital information literacy of young people.

As a way to contribute to the effort, the ASEAN Foundation, with the support of Google.org, will implement ASEAN Digital Literacy Programme (ADLP) from 2022 to 2024. The regional programme aims to combat misinformation and disinformation in the region by providing digital literacy training for youth, teachers, parents, community leaders and government officials in collaboration with local implementing partners. The programme will include a strong awareness campaign element to ensure that the importance of media and information literacy is better understood by a wider audience and inspire people to become the agent of change that can help detect and prevent hoaxes and fake news from spreading.

To achieve this, the ASEAN Foundation, with the support of Google.org, will establish a Youth Advisory Group (YAG) comprising selected youth from ten ASEAN countries. The YAG will help ensure that the benefits of ADLP can reach the communities at the grassroots level. In the implementation of the programme, the YAG will be involved in several key activities such as awareness-raising campaigns, deep-dive research and training delivery, to name a few. Before performing their role, the youth in the YAG will first receive training on the topic of misinformation and disinformation.

Objectives  

• Build greater awareness of the importance of digital literacy in combating misinformation and disinformation.
• Promote the programme's benefits to the beneficiaries at the grassroots level, especially those in the marginalised group.
• Help ensure that the interventions of ADLP are aligned with the priorities ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021 – 2025, ASEAN Work Plan on Youth 2021 and ASEAN Strategic Plan for Information and Media.
• Provide greater access for young people to develop their digital literacy skills and increase their understanding of misinformation and disinformation.

Scope of Work

• Become key respondent for the initial stage of the research and survey
• Support the research activity in mapping relevant key stakeholders
• Support the programme in ensuring the high number of youth participation for the training activities.
• Design and implement awareness-raising projects to combat misinformation and disinformation at the national and regional levels.
• Produce articles and news around media literacy and information disseminated through different media platforms.
• Provide strategic advice to the ASEAN Foundation and its local implementing partners on media literacy and information-related issues and how to address them.
• Participate in the relevant ASEAN Senior Officials/Working Group meetings to give feedback on the ASEAN agenda on the media literacy and information

Member Profile

• Age: Youth aged 15-35. Please note individuals under the age of 18 will need the consent of their parents or guardians (we will provide the appropriate forms).
• Ensuring equity & inclusion: Young people who, because of gender, disability, health status, care status, ethnicity, refugee status/statelessness, sexual orientation or family income can face marginalisation and be excluded from decision making.
• Geographical representation: 10 ASEAN Members States
• Champion/advocate: Young people with experience in advocating or championing digital security & digital literacy will be prioritised for engagement.
• Lived experiences: Young people that can bring their lived experience into their advocacy.
• Online presence: Young people that have good social media followers and/or active on social media

Applicants from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Singapore and Thailand can still apply until 25 May 2022 here.