Social Media and MDGs

On the 5th of August 2010, the International youth Council facilitated four informative, interactive and intensive Think Tanks on Advocacy and Partnerships, Social Media, Fundraising, and Entrepreneurship.

I had the honor of facilitating the Social Media Think Tank with Erica Grigg and Sean Flax. Sean introduced what social media is. I focused on how NGOs can effectively use Social Media. However, the lessons that I stressed are universal when developing your social media strategy. It is vital to know your audience. You have to engage them, that means, you have to LISTEN (alerts.google.com) to what is being said about you online. Then you have to communicate in a way that makes you more interesting than the individual and their friends / neighbors / family. 

In order to achieve this, it is vital to realise your audience is fluid. You have to be focused, interesting and flexible. You have to reflect what your work is offline to be effective online. It is also important that you know your audience, listen to what they are interested in, engage in their issues and follow them. You want to be following more people than follow you. You don't want to be boring and generic. And you have to be country specific.

I also used current statistics to engage the audience so that they considered how social media could be used by them in their own countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The International Youth Council tries to empower youth and therefore, these workshops were aimed at equipping the delegates with the skills they need to be effective when they go back home. Our event was really well attended. Erica Grigg focused on Social Media Strategies. Together, we provided a comprehensive and intensive update on Social Media and using it as an effective tool.

After our think tanks, IYC members helped the friendship ambassadors foundation escort over 600+ youth to different Permanent Missions to the UN around the city. I had the privilege of visiting the Common Wealth Missions--Grenada in specific. The First Secretary was warm, welcoming and very interesting. She made all the youth feel comfortable and we had the opportunity to explore their offices. We left armed with gifts of posters, spices and brochures on Grenada.

The IYC had organised a Networking event led by the International Youth Council in the Park infront of the UN. This event was organised / facilitated by the amazing Reginald Bassey (Reggie-the legendary). It was great fun, lively and entertaining. I was interviewed by Hip Hop Youth and a Taiwanese TV station. I had fun and the event transformed into a block party complete with dancing and lively MDG dating (a little like speed dating but focusing on the MDGs).

At about 6:45pm...there was a mad dash to 28th street for the IYC Party at the Willow Lounge. This event was a spectacular extravaganza that included Ron Bruder as a special speaker.

Day 2 was a much bigger success for the International Youth Council than we were expecting. Keep tuned and I will keep you posted on the finally day and our MDG think tanks.