About

The Parallel Lives Network brings together individuals, NGOs, charities, community groups and educational organisations across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and South-East Asia. We help people share knowledge, strengthen their voices and learn from one another’s work.

A central part of that work is media literacy: understanding how information is created, presented and shared. It helps us ask useful questions about what we read, watch and hear, and make informed choices about the stories we tell.

We offer free resources to help individuals and organisations take simple, practical steps. You might start by checking the source of a story before sharing it, asking whose perspective is missing, or considering whether you have someone’s consent to use their words or image. Organisations can use the same approach when planning a social media post, documenting a project or communicating its impact.

Key Features

• News: Updates and stories from across the Network’s regions, including examples of community work and sustainable development.
• Events: Online opportunities to connect and learn together, including activities around World Radio Day, World Photography Day and World Television Day.
• Resources: Free, accessible materials and practical tools to build media literacy and help organisations communicate their work.
• People: Connections with practitioners, issue experts, researchers and supporters who can share experience and ideas.

You do not need specialist equipment or media experience to begin. Start with one question, one resource or one conversation, then share what you learn.

John Coster
Founder, Parallel Lives Network