Since 1983, the mission of the Centre de Liaison de l’Enseignement et des Médias d’Information (CLEMI) has been to teach students a civic practice of media, helping them develop critical thinking, train them in responsibility, and exercise freedom of expression. It is through fun activities, contests, and awards that CLEMI aims to initiate and encourage students in the department; a pedagogical and entertaining approach.
According to Lilia Parisot, head of CLEMI, “one cannot speak of media and information education without talking about digital technologies. For that, we work with journalists and local press to implement concrete actions in schools. These actions are focused on digital tools, such as cameras, tablets..”.
“Aside from these contests and organized events, several training and information actions have been developed. They obviously target institutions and teachers, but above all parents. It is necessary to make them aware that parental controls — which block access to social networks, for example — are not enough. Together we must mobilize to work on digital identity. The goal is to clearly inform them of the risks their children face. This is a prevention work we carry out with André Marcant, Tice advisor (Information and Communication Technologies for Education) of the rector of the Academy of Nice,” emphasizes Lilia Parisot.
For instance, CLEMI worked last year with the Priority Security Zones. When Manuel Valls was the Minister of the Interior, he established these ZSP. The Centre proposed a contest with the following theme: “express the vision of one’s neighborhood.” In other words, using a digital medium, these young people were encouraged to express themselves about their daily environment, by taking pictures.
“Starting from the new school year, we will carry out certain projects in partnership with local authorities, the General Council, the Town Hall, and the Metropolis which equip us with material. Media and information education for all is a project targeting children in difficulty: disabled or hospitalized children, adolescents in correctional facilities. We aim to ensure that access to digital media is available to those who need it most,” explains the CLEMI head.
