As part of United Nations' International Year of Youth [13], I asked our Chief of Party for the Azerbaijan New Media Project [14] Angela Nicoara about her experience with youth and their involvement in media. Angela [15] says that media tools and skills can help youth have an outlet to affect their own communities and futures in Azerbaijan and throughout the world.
Here are more of Angela's answers.
Q: Why is it important to teach youth about media and train them with media skills?
A: The future of the country is in their hands and digital media is increasingly important in professional and personal communications. If Azerbaijan is to take its rightful place in the global arena of commerce and ideas, training youth about media is a vital part of that process.
Q: How can this have an effect of the future of a country's civil society?
A: Digital media increases the sources of news and information, is versatile, democratic and fast.
Q: What unique contributions can young journalists (whether professional journalists, or informal journalists) have on society?
A: Informal (citizen) journalists can provide a huge addition to the media landscape by helping to balance coverage and opinions on a wide variety of subjects.
Q: Why are youth media voices relevant?
A: The average age of the Azerbaijani population is 30 years. Digital media allows them to have a say in their own future; it offers an easy outlet for the energy and optimism in any country especially here. It offers endless networking opportunities inside and outside the country.
Q: Have you found that youth in countries you've worked in are excited about getting involved in media? Why do you think this is the case?
A: Yes, definitely. Because knowing about and possessing the latest software and gadgets enhances social status. Likewise, being the first to share and/or 'curate' information. In a post-Soviet country where information still generally travels 'top-down', youth's enthusiasm for digital media represents a major and positive change.
Q: What are the benefits for youth involved in media?
A: It provides an outlet for self expression - they find a voice and role within their own community. They can access and share a wide variety of information from numerous sources to suit their activities and aspirations. They can learn from peers better versed in the latest developments, whether technical, ideological, cultural.