Papua New Guinea – Transforming perspectives and practices: a seminar on media education for animators and teachers of Catholic institutions
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – February 2024 – Animators and teachers of Catholic institutions in Papua New Guinea participated, on 24 February, in a seminar on media education, a formation session that opened the doors to learning, interaction and animation of different groups. The program began with an opening prayer led by volunteer Fidelmah Urakupa, followed by a welcome address from Fr Ambrose Pereira, SDB, Coordinator of Social Communication in the East Asia-Oceania Region. Fr Pereira explained the objectives of the seminar, namely to inform, educate, entertain and inspire, and underlined how the purpose of church media is to bring about changes and transformations, especially in the behaviour and attitude of students and the community. Subsequent sessions, held by Fr Pereira, Patrina Kaboanga and Lucy Napitalai, included a brief introduction on Artificial Intelligence, the role of animators and how the media can positively influence others. Finally, Sheryll Isoaimo, who focused on the future of media education, and Fr Joseph Amith, Director of "Radio Maria", spoke about the missionary aspect of the media and the need to evangelise people.