The aims of the Network are to:

• to promote gender equality in and through media on a global scale through research, education and participation
• support training and research on media, information and communication technologies (ICTs), which are critical to the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment
• work to stimulate and showcase some of the most significant scholarly contributions to knowledge relating to expanding women’s participation in all media platforms.

Specific Objectives (short term)

The Network aims to articulate local and global research and cooperation. By promoting cross-border collaborations between universities, it fosters intercultural dialogue and encourages the exchange of knowledge. In a long-term vision, the Network would be likely to extend joint research projects and reinforce regional initiatives.

• Develop a global plan of activities in line with the GAMAG Research Committee including a series of activities to promote networking among the universities
• Promote global actions relating to Gender, Media and ICTs (including publications, congresses, seminars, teaching resources and faculty and students’ exchanges) that could contribute towards stimulating dialogue, advocate policy and progress in achieving gender equality in all regions of the world
• Enhance intercultural and cooperative research on issues of Gender, Media and ICTs;
• Produce and publish reliable evidence and data on gender, media and ICTs, particularly comprehensive data on gender in decision-making, governance, agenda-setting, ownership structures and organizational policies in media and technology companies, freedom of expression, highlighting related trends in gender, media and ICTs.

Development Objective (long term)

The Development objective (long term) is to contribute to the overall development goals taking into consideration social, economic and cultural development.

The Gender, Media and ICTs University Network works toward achieving the development goal for GAMAG agreed upon during the Global Forum: to catalyze the changes and partnerships, driven by evidence-based policy advocacy development, needed to ensure that gender equality is achieved in constantly evolving media systems, structures and content at local, national and global levels.

Specifically:

• promote an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation activities on media, gender and ICTs
• facilitate high level, international recognized researchers and teaching staff of the institutions members of the Network, as well as institutions outside the Network in other regions of the world.

 Key Actions

The activities of the Gender, Media and ICTs University Network relate to three main areas: research, education and participation. The Network will:

• Act as an observatory for the critical assessment of the status of gender in media systems, content and companies. This includes broadcasting stations, the press, and transnational news agencies. It also includes both traditional delivery systems as well as online platforms
• Enhance intercultural and cooperative research on issues of Gender, Media and ICTs
• Develop a global plan of activities in line with the GAMAG Research Committee including a series of activities to promote networking among the universities
• Submit an annual report to UNESCO evaluating the activities carried out by the Network
• Promote global actions relating to Gender, Media and ICTs (including publications, congresses, seminars, teaching resources and faculty and students’ exchanges) that could contribute towards stimulating dialogue, advocate policy and progress in achieving gender equality in all regions of the world
• Produce and publish reliable evidence and data on gender, media and ICTs, particularly comprehensive data on gender in decision-making, governance, agenda-setting, ownership structures and organizational policies in media and technology companies, highlighting related trends in gender, media and ICTs
• Promote cooperation and dialogue with media, online and offline, related regulatory and self-regulatory bodies, and unions/associations by providing evidence they need to develop gender-sensitive policies
• Promote gender-sensitive curriculum development for media, communication, journalism and ICTs related training institutions. This includes offering expertise for the training of professionals in media, related regulatory and self-regulatory bodies, and unions/associations, etc.
• Encourage and leverage citizen groups as well as educational and cultural institutions whose initiatives promote the achievement of gender equality in media systems, structures and content and in the ICTs industry
• Appoint focal points in member universities to coordinate the consolidation of a local plan of activities and contribute to the growth and sustainability of the network in close consultation and collaboration with UNESCO and other partners.