Media Seminar encourages Catholic students
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Nigel Akuani and Abigail Seta
Gordons, Port Moresby: The first Media Education Seminar (MES) for 2019 was hosted on Saturday, February 23rd at the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) where sixty plus Catholic students gathered.
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Facilitated by the Social Communication Commission (SOCOM) of CBC, the program focused on communicating positive messages through logos, posters and photographs.
The schools present at the seminar where representatives from Jubilee Catholic Secondary School, De La Salle Secondary School, Limana Vocational School, Marianville Secondary School, Don Bosco Technical School (DBTS), Don Bosco Technological Institute (DBTI) and Caritas Technical School.
“The Media Education Seminar for school students gives selected students an opportunity to be critical consumers and creative producers of the media”, said Fr Ambrose Pereira sdb, CBC Social Communications and Youth Secretary, in the opening session of the program.
He encouraged the students to practice and share what they learn and be witness of Gospel values. “Communicate positive messages through your posters and photographs and always communicate the Good News by your life”, he said.
The seminar had three sessions, the first session focused on the World Communication Day (WCD) message of the Holy Father, Pope Francis for 2019. The students shared and discussed the use of smartphones, access to social media and its impact on the young today. Following the discussions, the students focused on creating a WCD logo for the year.
The second session was animated by Ms Sherryl Extra-Isoaimo, teacher from Jubilee Catholic Secondary School. She took the students through an intense session on posters with a message and the students focused on creating striking posters with positive messages.
Photography was the final session where Fr. Ambrose facilitated the session. The students were required to take pictures highlighting 2019 and social connection. This was then followed by presentations and an evaluation at the end of the day.
“I liked the seminar as it brought each school to present their work and to hear each other share and with the things that I have learnt, I am committed to informing my fellow friends through our school media club and keeping it updated with stories and positive messages,” shared Corina Alfred, a student from Jubilee Catholic Secondary school.
The participants enjoyed the day and learnt much from the sessions as well as the interaction and the discussion with each other as they worked together as a team. “Working together as a team, in helping and sharing with each to get activities done on time is what I enjoyed about the seminar and my commitment is to encourage youths to work together,” Tofua Lele, a student from Limana Vocational School said.
The 2nd Media Education Seminar is set to be held on March 30th, 2019 and will focus on newsletters and writing articles.
Comments from the students:
The Media Seminar is wonderful and I am grateful that my school is part of this seminar. I have learnt a lot today, especially the importance of being a good user of social media – Annabelle Morea, Marianville Secondary School, Bomana
The seminar has proved to be a great fun learning experience. Hats off to Fr Ambrose and the team at CBC for a very successful event – Cameron Artango, De La Salle Secondary School, Bomana
The seminar was organized very well and everything ran smoothly. I have learnt a lot that I plan to share– Dickson Clyde, Don Bosco Technological Institute, Bomana
The venue was beautiful. The sessions were educational and spiritual, and I have picked up a lot to share. – Alabus Nathan, Marianville Secondary School
I’ve gained confidence in me to stand up in front of everyone and share my thoughts– Timothy Gei, Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu.
The seminar brought out our creativity through posters and photographs – Alison Shangkei, CARITAS Technical School, Boroko
The seminar has enabled me exercise my social interaction skills – Evelynne Sepa, Jubilee Catholic Secondary School, Hohola