‘Use social media to promote peace and intercultural dialogue’ – AFRICMIL

In a world where technology is fast dominating our daily activities, youths have been urged to deploy the opportunities that new media and information technologies offers in tackling socio-economic issues to promote peace and intercultural dialogue in the society.

This is according to media and peace experts during a two-day webinar organized by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) in partnership with the Rosa Luxemburg foundation.

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The theme for the webinar, ‘Social Media as a New Communication Strategy in the promotion of Peace and Intercultural Dialogue’ is very important in view of the challenges Nigeria faces in the area of security, economy amongst others spheres.

Angela Odah, programme manager, Roxa Luxemburg West Africa noted that social media no doubt plays a strategic role in the world as it promotes, discusses, educate and informs citizens in a way that 20 years ago was inconceivable.

Citing recent examples, Odah noted, “The #EndSARs Protests have used the power of the social media to raise awareness, build solidarity and highlight the crimes and gross violations of the human rights and dignity of Nigerians by disgruntled elements with the law enforcement agency.”

She also urged the youths to use social media in the dissemination of information responsibly.

A United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Youth forum Ambassador for Inclusion, Zainab Yunusa, has also urged the Youths to use the social media to promote the values that make the world a better place.

“Be users that promote peace and intercultural dialogue”

Chido Onumah, AFRICMIL co-ordinator noted that youths have used social media to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds thus fostering intercultural relationships.

“Social media has helped the youths understand that they are linked to the larger society by family, marriage, friendship, religion, ethics, culture and history, they cannot pretend to be indifferent to the fate of the larger society.”

In the last decade, the rapid development of new communication technologies has created unprecedented opportunities for media and information users around the world.

Digital media has significantly facilitated access to information, allowing a wider range of individuals around the world, including in Nigeria, to not only consume news at a faster pace but also produce news at the same speed.