An Exploration of Creative Minds for Future Media and Responsible Citizens

A virtual training on Digital citizenship was successfully completed on July 3, 2021 for the students of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka with the participation of 52 students: 6 male and 46 female from the Department of Languages and Sociology in the Faculty of Arts and Culture.

The purpose of this training program is to equip students with critical, innovative, sensitive and responsible consumption of media in the digital era, which will contribute to the enhancement of democracy and human rights in Sri Lanka.

Under this initiative, the mass media and communication students of 4 state universities namely University of Peradeniya, University of Jaffa, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and South Eastern University will undergo trainigs based on 4 different modules which are not generally included in their existing curriculum.

"Digital citizenship, freedom of expression, right to information and gender and new media are the cornerstones of vibrant democracy and could consolidate the pillars of democracy in the country" stated Prof. A. Rameez Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Culture during the inauguration of the program. He further added that this is a timely initiative and will really benefit the students.

InSPIRE project team members, resource persons and participants of the program

The training program was delivered by Dr.M.C. Rasmin, Media Trainer and Isbahan Sharafdeen, Producer SLBC and Moderated by Mohamed Azad - Attorney at Law.

In the first session, students had an opportunity to explore their digital presence, digital footprints and action to safeguard their digital footprints in the cyber space through interactive sessions and group activities.

Dr. M.C. Rasmin explaining the session on digital footprint

Anbalagan Dhevayani, a student, mentioned “I was unaware of the digital footprint and realized how harmful it is to leave these footprints in the cyberspace. However, I can now work towards securing a positive print.” On the other hand, Mohammed Rafeek said “I was aware of digital safety and the footprint but did not know how my personal data were stolen by strangers, but this session helps me to protect my personal data from today onwards”.

At the end of the session, the students were given an assignment to self-evaluate their digital footprints using a tool developed by the trainers to ensure that they take immediate action to safeguard themselves from any cyber harm. The program will continue for next week, July 10, 2021 on the same topic.

The students will also receive benefits such as practical training, mentoring, skills and knowledge to produce media products, network to build connectivity with subject experts and professionals and on the job training.

The activity is implemented as a part of Incubator Spaces for Promoting Information Rights and freedom of Expression (InSPIRE) project implemented by Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) in partnership with Helvetas Intercooperation and funded by the European Union.

The project InSPIRE is expected to build a network of 350 ethically and socially responsible youths in order to contribute towards upholding freedom of expression and right to information for a democratic Sri Lanka.

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