The Power of Twitter for Social Change

[Post also seen on Bandwidth]

In the last 8 months or so the digital team has been working with Toronto based charity War Child, working on awareness campaigns, speaking events and fund raising initiatives. Starting with the Help Child Soldiers campaign last December (creative, art direction and production by the fine folks at john st.-who graciously brought us in for the social media/PR activation), to the Twitter-based #BeAHero program–War Child has jumped into the social media scene with both feet.

But aside from these very cool programs, one of our proudest achievements for the charity came from a one hour Twitter 101 session with War Child founder Dr. Samantha Nutt. Knowing that Sam was soon headed on a field trip to Darfur, @TopsatWarChild and I saw the opportunity to share real-time experiences in the heart of a war zone with the Twitter community. Her participation on Twitter was a tangible way to bring a face to the valuable programs that War Child brings to war-torn countries.

A self proclaimed technophobe, Sam’s buy-in was less than in the bag. During the session, she kept her skepticism in check but fully visible. However, by the end of the 60 minutes success was ours when she casually looked up and said, “so how do I get this set up?” And her Twitter profile was online: @NuttsAtWarChild

Fast forward a couple months later:
• Sam Twittered during her entire trip through the very dangerous regions of Darfur
• She’s gained over 800 followers

And now in a 180 degree flip she is speaking to the power of Twitter on such outlets as CityTV and Discovery Channel . Take a look, as the newly self proclaimed ‘Twit’ discussed how effective Twitter has become for War Child: Click here