AYA-ATF Alumni Organize Online Workshop to Empower Fellow Alumni as Advocates for Truth Against Disinformation
Last April, ALL Forum, through the initiative of some alumni of the Asian Youth Academy-Asian Theology Forum (AYA-ATF) program, successfully held a three-day online capacity-building workshop titled “Empowering Lay Leaders as Advocates for Truth Against Disinformation.” The event gathered 23 alumni from the AYA–ATF and Moving School programs from different batches and took place virtually on April 12, 13, and 26, with each session running for two hours.
This workshop was part of an alumni-led action plan inspired by a presentation from VERA Files, a Philippine-based fact-checking organization, during the last year AYA–ATF in the Philippines. Recognizing the growing threat of disinformation, especially within faith communities and across social media platforms, the organizers sought to equip lay leaders, especially the alumni, with tools to critically analyze and challenge false narratives.
Day 1: Overview
The organizing team (AYA-ATF alumni) shared real cases of misinformation and disinformation they encountered in their countries, particularly in Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and within the Catholic community. VERA Files, as the main facilitator, presented a brief overview of disinformation trends in the Philippines, Asia, and globally. They introduced key concepts and terminologies, as well as their ongoing initiatives to combat disinformation.
Day 2: Interactive Learning and Fact-Checking
The second session focused on recognizing and categorizing types of mis/disinformation, particularly on social media. Participants actively joined a Kahoot quiz to test their skills in identifying fake, misleading, or satirical posts. The session also introduced Google Advanced Search and other basic fact-checking techniques.
Day 3: Practical Tools and Online Safety
The final day emphasized reverse image fact-checking using Google Image Search, with a hands-on demo led by VERA Files, and the steps on reporting mis/disinformation. The workshop concluded with essential tips on maintaining digital security and best practices for navigating online spaces responsibly.
Throughout the workshop, participants were encouraged to join Q&A sessions and open discussions to help them better understand the topics covered.
By the end of the workshop, participants showed greater confidence and interest in tackling disinformation. The alumni organizers hope this initiative will inspire all the participants to stand up for truth and help prevent the spread of false information in their communities.*
