KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 12 The National Youth Council (NYC), in collaboration with UNESCO and Youth Innovation Lab, has officially launched the 'Media and Information Literacy Enhancement Operational Procedure, 2082,' aimed at strengthening digital competence and responsible information use among Nepali youth. The operational procedure, endorsed on January 1, 2026 at the Vice-Chairperson level of the Council, was developed following extensive consultations with government institutions, youth-focused organizations and technical experts. According to the Council, the framework is designed to empower young citizens to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape while ensuring safe and active civic participation. It provides practical guidance to youth and youth-led organizations to make informed decisions, adopt ethical practices and address challenges such as misinformation, disinformation, online harassment and cybersecurity threats. Gehanath Gautam, Administrative Chief of the National Youth Council, said the procedure seeks to promote responsible information flow in Nepal's digital space. He noted that it aims to strengthen citizens' ability to access, understand, assess and ethically use digital platforms, while enhancing their capacity to counter false and misleading content. UNESCO Representative to Nepal, Jaco du Toit, said Nepal's efforts to advance media and information literacy have gained momentum, drawing inspiration from Global MIL Week 2025 in Colombia, with the goal of enabling young people to engage online with skill and integrity. Developed in line with the National Youth Council Act, 2072 and the National Youth Policy, 2082, the procedure focuses on three core dimensions: media literacy, information literacy and digital literacy. It emphasizes critical evaluation of media content, identification of credible sources, cybersecurity awareness, protection of personal data and responsible online behaviour. The framework targets provincial and local youth councils, youth-focused organizations and institutions working in the youth sector. Special priority will be given to women, marginalized communities and gender and sexual minority youth to ensure digital inclusion. Implementation strategies include institutional capacity building, Training of Trainers models, awareness campaigns, fact-checking initiatives and digital security workshops. Program effectiveness will be monitored through a S.M.A.R.T.-based evaluation system, with annual reporting requirements for relevant organizations. The Council stated that the operational procedure is expected to serve as a guiding document for institutionalizing media and information literacy in Nepal and contribute to building a knowledge-based, technology-friendly society.