AMIC’s 29th Annual Conference with the theme,
“Talk ASAP: The Africa-Asia Pacific Dialogue on Communication Issues”
Bandung, Indonesia (28-30 September 2023)

Organized by: 

Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, Inc. (AMIC)
Co-hosted by:

 University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia

Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines

Introduction

The 29th Annual Conference of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, Inc. (AMIC) convened under the theme “Talk ASAP: The Africa-Asia Pacific Dialogue on Communication Issues,” was held in Bandung, Indonesia from September 28 to 30, 2023.

Echoing the spirit of the historic 1955 Asian-African Heads of States meeting in Bandung, Indonesia, this conference aimed to foster dialogue, knowledge-sharing, partnership, collaboration, cooperation between these two vibrant continents.

Legacy of the 1955 Bandung Asia-Africa Summit Conference

The 1955 Bandung Asia-Africa Summit Conference, often referred to as “the first significant gathering of independent and soon-to-be independent nations in Asia and Africa,” laid the groundwork for the modern relationship between these continents. In the same spirit, the AMIC conference sought to build upon these foundations, enabling scholars, educators, and practitioners to collaborate on pressing communication issues.

Conference Objectives

The AMIC Conference on “Talk ASAP: The Africa-Asia Pacific Dialogue on Communication Issues” served as a platform for renewed South-South knowledge-sharing, peer-learning, and cooperation among educators, development communicators, practitioners, and institutions/organizations. More than 280 participants from 22 countries came together to discuss contemporary education and communication issues, with 167 papers presented.

Key Discussion Areas

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in robust discussions on a wide range of topics, including:

• Respect for and exercise of human rights, especially Freedom of Expression and Right to Information,  as enshrined in the UN Declaration of Human Rights;

• The necessity of adopting Afrocentric and Asiacentric approaches to communication;

• UNESCO Draft Regulation of Digital Platforms: Voices from Asia and Africa.

• The state of the art in communication, capacity building and development in Africa: Peer-Learning Needs of African and Asian scholars, educators, and practitioners;

• A comparative analysis of how mainstream media portrays Asian and African societies;

• Gender equity, diversity, inclusivity and parity; 

• Communication for Development, particularly in the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals; and

• Common issues, challenges and opportunities in access to information, safety and protection of journalists, impact of ICT, digital transformation and media, information and digital literacy.

Embracing Digital Technology and Knowledge Brokering & Sharing

Participants emphasized the importance of tacit knowledge brokering and sharing, particularly the exchange of best practices, to address common communication media issues. Special attention was given to the implications of digital technology disruptions and the advent of Super Smart Society 5.0, driven by machine-learning-based artificial intelligence.

Media, Information & Digital Literacy and Communication Education for All

The continuous onslaught of disinformation in the global and local media ecosystem demands integration of media, information and digital literacy (MIDL) which empowers individuals to be critical and discerning media users and consumers as well as responsible and ethical content creators using various formats and platforms.

A critical priority highlighted during the conference was the need to enhance society’s competencies in digital literacy through “Communication Education for All” curricula. These curricula should be integrated into formal, non-formal, and informal education at all levels and across all fields.

Towards Consensus, Facilitating Cohesion on Global Communication Issues

The conference also advocated for more extensive efforts to explore the feasibility of adopting a mechanism for inter-continental consultation, aiming to build consensus, promote tolerance and societal cohesion on current and emerging global communication issues.

Promoting Networking and Collaboration

Recognizing the need for more venues for networking and collaboration, the conference called for increased cooperation among Asian and African communication professionals, practitioners, and institutions. This includes collaborative programs and activities in such areas as research, publications, capacity building, and faculty/students exchanges.

In conclusion, the AMIC’s 29th Annual Conference served as a bridge, connecting the past achievements of the 1955 Bandung Asia-Africa Summit Conference with the contemporary challenges and opportunities in the realms of communication and information. It reaffirmed the commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and shared learning between Africa and Asia to closer friendship and partnership, paving the way for a brighter, more interconnected future.

For more information and updates on the AMIC Conference, please visit https://sites.google.com/amic.asia/29thamicannualconference/home

Contact: info@amic.asia