I would like to present on the importance of critical media literacy when collaborating with youth on multimedia projects. For the past four years I have run the Studio2 multimedia program at East Metro Youth Services in Scarborough. This program aims to connect youth from under served communities with the resources to create meaningful projects that discuss issues of violence, mental health, and community activism.

In addition to this, I believe this workshop will also be a great opportunity for me to highlight some of the important aspects of my upcoming book, Beyond Media Literacy, which will be published through Five Rivers Publications. My book and presentation will provide a framework for educators, community workers and activists to integrate multimedia projects into their work with young people. It contends that our current media literacy practices do not adequately provide young people with the tools to effectively engage with multimedia to challenge many of the hegemonic narratives that are perpetuated by corporate and governmental interests. Instead, this framework integrates creative collaboration and critical pedagogical methods to encourage young people to use multimedia projects to instigate positive change in their lives and their communities. Most importantly, this framework encourages adults and young people to explore their media literacy together to shift the group’s focus from passive consumption of media content to active creation.