Media Kit
Media Kit
Brief PRESS RELEASE on the Visual Literacy UNESCO Chair
The UNESCO Chair on “Visual Anticipation and Futures Literacy towards Visual Literacy” was officially established in July 2022, at the Open University of Cyprus. Chairholder is the Associate Professor Vicky (Vayia) Karaiskou.
The Chair introduces a methodology that sets visuals in the core of our cognitive experience and investigates how they shape our thought patterns and identities. Main objective of the Chair is to curve the visuality approach into the Visual Literacy field, which is the process of how we see and make sense; to run Visual Literacy workshops; and design tools that support participants and independent users to enhance emancipated thought and self-empowerment, and foster authenticity and fulfilment in their lives.
Visuality is the regulator of our reality. All images that flood our lives bring in the present our cultural past, our heritage, bequeathed social norms, mind-sets and manners, shared narratives and myths. The narratives that all kinds of images carry is the glue that keep our communities together and frame how we experience the present carrying it in the future. At the same time, though, they are the invisible barriers that limit individual potential, authentic expressions, imagination and creativity.
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The Chair theory and methodology explore and challenge our thought patterns with an aim to shed light on the multitude of possibilities available as choices. The Chair workshops and tools equally address to researchers at a variety of fields interested in enhancing the impact of their work; to students of primary, secondary and higher education; to active citizens; as well as to educators of all levels, activists, leaders and professionals looking for meaningful impact.
The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme was launched in 1992 intending to promote international inter-university cooperation and networking, and advance knowledge in key priority areas such as education, the natural and social sciences, culture and communication. The network supports research that addresses pressing challenges, promotes cultural diversity and coexistence, and contributes to the development of our societies.
