Fernanda Bonacho, a faculty member at the Escola Superior de Comunicação Social (ESCS) and holder of the UNESCO Chair in Communication, Media Literacy and Citizenship at ESCS of the Polytechnic University of Lisbon (IPL), has been elected to the MIL Alliance Global Board – the General Council of UNESCO’s Global Alliance for Media and Information Literacy.

The announcement was made on 18 January, following the elections recently concluded by the MIL Alliance in coordination with UNESCO. The ESCS-IPL lecturer and LIACOM researcher will now join the Board in the category of Academic and Research Representative, as one of the three representatives of the Academic and Research Chapter, the section responsible for promoting research and academic work in Media and Information Literacy (MIL).

This appointment represents international recognition of Fernanda Bonacho’s academic and scientific career in this field and also constitutes a strategic opportunity to strengthen the presence and contribution of ESCS-IPL and Portugal on the international media literacy landscape, in collaboration with leading experts and institutions worldwide.

“At a time when collective action is more necessary than ever, this kind of international and strategic cooperation proves to be essential. I intend to contribute actively and give my very best,” wrote Fernanda Bonacho on her LinkedIn page, thanking the members of the MIL Alliance for their “confidence”.

Portugal’s National Commission for UNESCO considers this election to be “recognition of her career path and her contribution to Media Literacy, while also representing a significant opportunity to reinforce Portugal’s presence on the international stage in this area”.

As a member of the MIL Alliance Global Board, Fernanda Bonacho will take part in defining the Alliance’s strategic direction and governance, working closely with the other Board members and with UNESCO, with the aim of promoting and strengthening policies, research and best practices in media and information literacy at global level. The first meeting of the new Global Board is scheduled for 11 February 2026, marking the official start of the mandate.

The MIL Alliance is an international UNESCO network that brings together hundreds of organisations and experts committed to promoting media literacy worldwide. Its Global Board is the Alliance’s main decision-making and coordination body, responsible for setting global strategic priorities.

Fernanda Bonacho is also Coordinator of the Master’s degree in Journalism at ESCS and has developed a solid academic career in the fields of journalism, media education and media literacy, making a significant contribution to the institution’s national and international standing. This election further strengthens ESCS-IPL’s position as a leading institution in teaching, research and engagement in the field of communication and media, aligned with contemporary challenges related to information, citizenship and democracy.

Text and photograph by the Communication Service (Gabcom).