Global Media and Information Literacy Week2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/75/267
About Global Media and Information Literacy Week
Global Media and Information Literacy Week is observed from 24 to 31 October. It promotes the skills people need to find, assess, use and create information and media responsibly across digital and offline environments.
The week is closely associated with UNESCO and now also has formal United Nations General Assembly recognition. It is especially relevant to misinformation, disinformation, digital participation, freedom of expression and critical evaluation of sources.
Why Global Media and Information Literacy Week matters
Media and information literacy is not simply the ability to use devices. It includes understanding how information is produced, who is behind it, what evidence supports it, how algorithms and platforms shape exposure, and how to communicate responsibly.
The observance is best used to strengthen verification habits and critical thinking without implying that disagreement itself is misinformation or that one institution should decide every contested question.
History of Global Media and Information Literacy Week
UNESCO-led Global Media and Information Literacy Week activities existed before formal proclamation; UNESCO describes the initiative as beginning in 2011 and identifies 2012 as the first edition.
On 25 November 2019, the UNESCO General Conference adopted 40 C/Resolution 56 and formally proclaimed 24–31 October of each year as Global Media and Information Literacy Week.
On 25 March 2021, the UN General Assembly adopted A/RES/75/267, separately proclaiming the Week at UN level and recognizing UNESCO’s lead coordinating role.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
UNESCO-led Global Media and Information Literacy Week before formal proclamation
Annual Global MIL Week editions existed before the 2019 UNESCO General Conference formally proclaimed the recurring 24–31 October week.
UNESCO General Conference
40 C/Resolution 56
First documented observance
UNESCO’s 2017 retrospective describes 2017 as the seventh edition and identifies the first edition as 2012; other UNESCO material notes that the initiative’s seeds were planted in 2011.
Proclaimed 24–31 October as Global Media and Information Literacy Week at General Assembly level and recognized UNESCO’s lead coordinating role.
United Nations General Assembly · A/RES/75/267
UNESCO
A/RES/75/267 recognizes UNESCO’s lead role in coordinating Global Media and Information Literacy Week celebrations worldwide.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe Global Media and Information Literacy Week
Practice lateral reading by checking who operates a source, what evidence it cites and whether independent sources support the claim.
Compare an original document with headlines or social posts describing it and note where interpretation has been added.
Teach image, video and AI-content verification techniques using examples that can be checked safely.
Discuss how freedom of expression, access to information, privacy and platform governance interact rather than treating media literacy as a single technical skill.
Global Media and Information Literacy Week Facts
Global Media and Information Literacy Week runs from 24 to 31 October.
UNESCO formally proclaimed the Week through 40 C/Resolution 56 on 25 November 2019.
The UN General Assembly later adopted A/RES/75/267 on 25 March 2021.
A/RES/75/267 recognizes UNESCO’s lead role in coordinating Global MIL Week celebrations.
UNESCO material describes a pre-proclamation annual Global MIL Week phase beginning before the 2019 formal resolution.
Global Media and Information Literacy Week Messages
May Global Media and Information Literacy Week encourage thoughtful participation, shared responsibility and action that continues after the observance ends.
Wishing everyone observing Global Media and Information Literacy Week a day of reflection, constructive dialogue and purposeful follow-through.
On Global Media and Information Literacy Week, may awareness lead to informed discussion, practical action and respect for the communities at the heart of the observance.
Global Media and Information Literacy Week Quotes
“In this deluge of information, we need more reference points and more rational thinking.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
UNESCO — 40 C/Resolution 56 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/75/267 (opens in a new tab)
UNESCO — 2017 Global MIL Week / first edition (opens in a new tab)
UNESCO — Global MIL Week 2021 / history (opens in a new tab)
United Nations — Global Media and Information Literacy Week (opens in a new tab)
Dedicated Authoritative Page
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Global Media and Information Literacy Week?
24–31 October The documented recurrence rule is: 24–31 October.
Does Global Media and Information Literacy Week fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Global Media and Information Literacy Week an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations international week. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Global Media and Information Literacy Week?
The reviewed sources identify UNESCO General Conference as the proclaiming or establishing body. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as UNESCO.
Is Global Media and Information Literacy Week international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations international week. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
Who formally proclaimed Global Media and Information Literacy Week?
UNESCO’s General Conference formally proclaimed the Week through 40 C/Resolution 56 in 2019. The UN General Assembly added separate recognition in 2021 through A/RES/75/267.
Did Global MIL Week exist before 2019?
Yes. UNESCO-led annual activities existed before the formal proclamation; UNESCO sources describe the initiative as beginning in 2011 and identify 2012 as the first edition.
Who coordinates the Week?
The 2021 General Assembly resolution explicitly recognizes UNESCO’s lead role in coordinating Global Media and Information Literacy Week celebrations.