PAgES aims at contributing to the modernization of the HE in Libya through a bottom-up approach for the design and pilot of a Master Course in Cross-Media Journalism. The Master targets young people studying communication and young professionals, in the field of digital journalism. The Master Course will be designed by means of a participatory approach, involving teachers from the EU and Libya, students and journalists. Teachers will be provided with the required skills for the delivery of the Master through a set of CB initiatives: online Repository for Training Faculty, online Space for discussion and study visits at two EU universities. The length of the Master Course is of 2 year (120 ECTS), and it will be taught in English. The aim of the project is to promote a local expertise, and we expect the Master to be held in all Libyan Universities. The first year will be piloted during the lifetime of the project. Wider Objective Contribute to the modernization of HE in Libya and support the implementation of the Bologna Process. Improve Journalistic skills of Libyan youth in order to contribute to the democratization process of the country. Libyan condition is aptly described by Freedom House, according to which“The fall of the Qadhafi regime lifted restrictions on the long-repressed media sector. Citizen journalism became more common, and media outlets publications multiplied in number. However, media freedom is increasingly limited and many journalists have censored themselves”. According to Reporters Without Borders, “political impasse” is making journalism risky and difficult: Libya ranks 163 out of 180 countries in the World Press Index, while it ranked 155 in 2011, the year of Qaddafi’s death. It is necessary to define new skills and engender a new awareness of the part played by information in the building of a democratic country. Euro-Mediterranean cooperation is of paramount importance, with respect to this goal.
PAgES has five main objectives: 1) analysis and exchange of best practice in the field of higher education and cross-media journalism, 2) create or improve Multimedia Labs in Libyan universities to support technical training, 3) build capabilities of staff through training and study visits at European universities, 4) develop a curriculum in Cross- Media journalism, 5) set-up and offer of a Master Course in Cross-Media Journalism in Libya, including a Study Visit in EU.
The need to modernize the Libyan Higher Education system in order to have well-trained journalists able to contribute to the democratization of the country represented the issue that inspired PAgES. The growing recognition of the crucial role of journalism in promoting and enhancing democracy raised awareness of the key position held by higher education institutions in taking actions to advance the practice of democracy and press freedom by implementing journalism studies within their curricula.
<< Background >> The need to modernize the Libyan Higher Education system in order to have well-trained journalists able to contribute to the democratization of the country represented the issue that inspired PAgES. The growing recognition of the crucial role of journalism in promoting and enhancing democracy raised awareness of the key position held by higher education institutions in taking actions to advance the practice of democracy and press freedom by implementing journalism studies within their curricula. << Objectives >> PAgES has five main objectives: 1) analysis and exchange of best practice in the field of higher education and cross-media journalism, 2) create or improve Multimedia Labs in Libyan universities to support technical training, 3) build capabilities of staff through training and study visits at European universities, 4) develop a curriculum in Cross- Media journalism, 5) set-up and offer of a Master Course in Cross-Media Journalism in Libya, including a Study Visit in EU. << Implementation >> The PAgES project has been implemented by a Consortium of 9 partners including 4 universities from the Southern Europe, 1 association of Universities from the Mediterranean basin countries and 4 Libyan universities from the Tripolitania region. The project implementation resulted in a successful cooperation among all the partners that allowed the achievement of the main project’s goals and the realization of all major activities with a positive and effective impact on the involved actors. << Results >> The key results of the PAgES project include: 1) a catalogue of best practices, 2) developed and approved program of the Master course by the Libyan Education Ministry, 3) Multimedia Labs set-up in the 4 Libyan universities, an online and in presence Training of Trainers, 4) developed and implemented four Master courses in Cross-media journalism in each of the Libyan universities, 5) quality evaluation reports, 6) web promotion, webinars, events in Europe and Libya and scientific publications.