HAD Recommends: 4 Humanitarian Hashtags to Follow in 2020

February 25, 2020

Social media enables more people than ever to speak and be heard. Studies have shown that it can enhance political participation and collective action. Everyone can have a voice, encourage solidarity and share experiences and because of this, it’s a fantastic way to keep up to date and join in conversations. It’s undeniable that social media has the power to raise awareness and galvanize people towards a collective goal or movement, something especially powerful in the humanitarian sector, so here are 5 humanitarian hashtags to follow in 2020.

#ShiftThePower

#ShiftThePower is a movement which aims to spark discussion about the power imbalance within the international development and humanitarian sector. The idea is to move away from a “top-heavy” system in which INGOs hold the majority of funds and control as to where those funds go, towards a more equal model of people-lead development, empowering local NGOs to contribute more to their communities. While first created in 2016, #ShiftThePower is still just as relevant today and has a multi-faceted impact on many aspects of the sector including research, aid, localisation and politics.

<blockquote><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Its a wrap. The conversation continues <a href=”https://twitter.com/KCDF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@KCDF</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/shifthepower?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#shifthepower</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/GFCF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@GFCF</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/BondConf?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#BondConf</a> lets continue rocking the boat, innovating, staying true to cause and much much more <a href=”https://t.co/XfxEjOpZnx”>pic.twitter.com/XfxEjOpZnx</a></p>&mdash; Caesar Ngule Weka (@Caesarngule) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Caesarngule/status/1108013144993992705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>March 19, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

#GenerationEquality

#GenerationEquality is a UN campaign that “demands equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end to sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women and girls, health-care services that respond to their needs, and their equal participation in political life and decision-making in all areas of life.” The idea is that as of 2020, it has been 25 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by 189 governments worldwide, and yet none have achieved gender equality. There is now a new generation of people who are standing up for themselves and others, and using new concepts and technology to fight for gender equality.

<blockquote><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>This ?is ? too? slow?<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/GenerationEquality?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#GenerationEquality</a> <a href=”https://t.co/qEkpSuYIQB”>pic.twitter.com/qEkpSuYIQB</a></p>&mdash; UN Women (@UN_Women) <a href=”https://twitter.com/UN_Women/status/1221758514558881792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

#RefugeesWelcome

While the hashtag has existed for several years, #RefugeesWelcome spikes in use during and following global events such as the European migrant crisis in 2015. Following Britain’s exit from the EU last month, this hashtag is likely to rise in popularity again. Surveys have shown that immigration is among the most important issues for Britons, (which for many influenced their vote in the EU referendum) so new immigration laws which may be decided upon by parliament are certain to spark discussions on social media. Follow this hashtag to stay up-to-date with news and public opinion regarding refugee and migrant issues in post-Brexit Britain.

<blockquote data-conversation=”none”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>European nations must do better. Solidarity with the residents of Moria, and with all people forced to leave their homes in search of safety. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/refugeeswelcome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#refugeeswelcome</a> (3/3) <a href=”https://t.co/quA15B5upD”>pic.twitter.com/quA15B5upD</a></p>&mdash; Choose Love / Help Refugees (@chooselove) <a href=”https://twitter.com/chooselove/status/1224664977363165184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>February 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

#YoCA2020

This month Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Sir David Attenborough launched the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (#COP26), starting the Year of Climate Action 2020 (#YoCA2020). For the first time the UK will be hosting the UN event, which will bring together over 30,000 delegates to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. This is a key humanitarian hashtag to follow with regards to climate change and climate action.

<blockquote><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>&#39;??? ?? ??? ??????&#39;<br><br>Watch Sir David Attenborough&#39;s call to action as we launch the UK Year of Climate Action<a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/YoCA2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#YoCA2020</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#COP26</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClimateAction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#ClimateAction</a><a href=”https://t.co/kJKmUvyly6″>pic.twitter.com/kJKmUvyly6</a></p>&mdash; Foreign Office ?? (@foreignoffice) <a href=”https://twitter.com/foreignoffice/status/1224705433585229825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>February 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

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Written by Romey Watters

Digital Marketing Officer