South Sudan’s first dedicated Media and Information Literacy Centre is creating opportunities for young people to navigate the digital space responsibly

Students at the MIL Centre pose for a picture after a media training (UNESCO/JUAN MULE)

When Gabriel Yugu, 19, a student at Juba Day secondary school first visited the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Centre in 2025, he wasn’t sure where to start. He had never used a computer before. 

His previous school had neither computers nor basic computer lessons. At the Centre, he got his first opportunity to switch on a computer and start typing. 

“I did not know where to start. I had the opportunity to switch on a computer and type for the first time. I was nervous but excited at the same time,” Gabriel recalls. 

Now, he has created an email account and can send emails with ease. He is also learning to question the information he encounters online and use digital tools responsibly. 

These skills are particularly important in South Sudan, where access to computers and opportunities to develop practical digital skills are limited for many young people. Misinformation and disinformation can also spread rapidly online, especially during conflict and crises, deepening existing tensions and risks. Developing media and information literacy helps young people assess the information they encounter and better understand the role of media in shaping public understanding and participation. 

In 2024, UNESCO established the MIL Centre in partnership with the Central Equatoria State Ministry of General Education and Instruction and Juba Day Secondary School, with support from the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists. It is the first dedicated MIL Centre in South Sudan, providing computers, internet connectivity and practical learning opportunities. 

The school’s head teacher, George Kenyi, estimates that up to 500 students, teachers and community members have benefited from its activities, including learners from newly established MIL Clubs in neighboring schools. 

“About 500 people have benefited from the Centre since its establishment in 2024. They include students from Juba Day Secondary School and neighboring schools, such as Supiri, Rajaf,Juba Christian Center (JCC) JCC Model, Juba Commercial and Nile Model, as well as teachers and community members,” Kenyi says.

For New Paulino Matip, 18, a Senior Two student, the Centre has helped him build confidence and explore how technology can address community challenges. 

The MIL Centre provides students like New Paulino with an opportunity to put what they learn into practice. For instance, through the school’s engagements with initiatives such as the Go-Girls ICT, a youth-led non-profit digital initiative that equips young people with information and communication technology skills, students developed concepts for digital applications to address challenges in their communities and presented their ideas to parents during an exhibition. 

"The Go-Girls ICT initiative trained us to create concepts for applications that would solve issues in our communities, like during cases of emergencies such as accidents. The MIL Centre provides more than a platform to learn media and information literacy", New Paulino says. 

Together with his friends, Paulino came up with a concept, named Lifeline, designed to help people reach an emergency hotline at health centres in the event of an accident. It remains at the concept stage and will require further development and support before it can become operational. 

Marshal Justin, 18, a member of the school’s MIL Club and Journalism Club, says learning to verify information has been among the most valuable parts of her experience. 

“Through regular practice and training from initiatives like Go-Girls ICT and the Union of Journalists in South Sudan (UJOSS), I have learnt to type faster and verify information. I can now research and write news for the school, which I present every Monday and Friday,” she says. 

Media partners like the Union of Journalists in South Sudan (UJOSS) are also using the facility to help train students in news writing and information verification, giving them opportunities to learn from media professionals.

Students like Joseph James, 18, a Senior Two student, have also been introduced to artificial intelligence (AI). 

“I have learnt about artificial intelligence and how to use tools, which I can use to find and assess information,” he says. 

The Centre has been operational since 2024, and its users are continuing to think about its future and sustainability.  

Kenyi says the school’s management is discussing the possibility of small community contributions towards daily operating costs, while Marsha highlights the need for a larger space to accommodate more learners. 

Through its work on media and information literacy, UNESCO is supporting young people in South Sudan to critically assess information and navigate an increasingly digital environment. Expanding access to Media and Information Literacy is essential to strengthening young people's ability to make informed decisions and participate in society.

Source: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/south-sudans-first-dedicated-media-and-information-literacy-centre-creating-opportunities-young