Real-Time Change in the Digital Space

---

THE SETTING

Held during Beijing+20, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) hosted its statelessness High-Level Side Event on Equal Nationality Rights. Secretaries of state, prime ministers, ambassadors and civil society partners participated. The objective was to discuss policy surrounding statelessness, ratify changes to policies and affirm recently reformed laws in several countries to achieve gender equality in nationality laws.

A monumental time of influence, UNHCR re-ignited its ongoing #IBelong campaign, an international effort to increase awareness of statelessness and the passing on of citizenship.

Working with both the Geneva external affairs team and senior policy advisors in the Liaison Office in New York, we handled planning and digital content for #IBelong and the Summit.

---

Increased Engagement

The plan created to garner attention and momentum for #IBelong involved: 

SKYHIGH VISIBILITY

We secured prime real estate on a Times Square billboard, running the statelessness PSA in front of millions of passersby. An eye-grabbing #IBelong banner also hung outside of the United Nations to pique interest along its heavily transversed street.

CONTENT CREATION 

We filmed social media and YouTube videos of UNHCR’s then assistant high commissioner for protection and spearhead of the #IBelong campaign, amplifying his contagious passion and the importance of statelessness to the public. 

We also created content based on embargoed releases and remarks regarding new policy measures and commitments in preparation for the live Side Event. 

LIVE COVERAGE

We leveraged participation from event and Summit participants leading up to, and during the Summit, as well as the High-Level Side Event. We posted realtime photos and live coverage tweets covering the topics and discussions resonating from the Summit and Event. Media was also invited to attend, while others chose to pre-interview UNHCR representatives.

SUMMIT DEBRIEFS

We prepared and provided press releases, event debriefs and remarks for media, including attendees and those who were unable to attend. operations at the United Nations.

---

#IBelong Results

• The hashtag was globally top-trending on Twitter.

• The digital movement propelled new signatories and multiple countries to reform policies granting citizenship to many and affirming working toward gender equality.

• The advocacy Side Event was filled to standing room only capacity as well as the private pre-event.