Image courtesy of: City Innovation Summit 2014, Twitter: @CityInnoBCN

Below is an extended version of the article published by Iva Petkovic, UNPO’s Programme Coordinator, on the website of the Barcelona City Innovation Cloud:

The Web 2.0 and the democratization of technology present an unparalleled opportunity to engage in political and human rights-related debates, particularly for non-governmental organizations such as the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) where we not only utilize, but depend on the advantages of digital and social media developments in order to amplify the voices of those less heard. Through effective social media tools and strategies UNPO attempts to influence key policy-makers and energize their voters, who can support advocacy causes and exert the necessary pressure for much-needed change.

As many movements and groups championing diverse causes compete for the wavering attention of overwhelmed internet audiences, the momentum must be gained, and then maintained, through the use of clever, inventive, and captivating social media strategies and tools.  

To raise the voices of various indigenous peoples, minorities and unrecognized territories, UNPO has adopted a credible, professional and interactive approach to raising awareness on underreported topics by mainstream media, reaching out to people, and connecting them into a community of supporters by providing an online forum of dialogue and solidarity. For our Members, social media can be a game-changer and sometimes, a life-saver.

Through the endless possibilities of the internet to strengthen citizen advocacy and transparency of global, national and local political processes, it is time for NGOs to realize how imperative it is to foster a sense of engagement through political activism of a so-called ‘digital tribe’.