The convergence of media and technology in a global culture is changing the way we learn about the world and challenging the very foundations of education. No longer is it enough to be able to read the printed word; children, youth and adults, too, need the ability to critically interpret the powerful images of a multimedia culture.

Media literacy education provides a framework and a pedagogy for the new literacy needed for living, working and citizenship in the 21^st century. Moreover, it paves the way to mastering the skills required for lifelong learning in a constantly changing world.

We are pleased to share the progress and the contributions that the Center for Media Literacy made toward this important mission during 2003. In this report, you'll see the many projects developed in our Real World Outreach, the collaborations created to respond to Megatrends in Media Literacy, the initiatives we nurtured from New Voices, and much Leadership contributed to the field.

We acknowledge and honor the hard work and talents of our staff, the support of our Board, the contributions of our donors and funders and all the good work of our colleagues with whom we share the vision of media literacy as a educational priority for the 21^st century!