These 4 hashtags kept you informed on global development in 2016
As the global development community has witnessed over the years, hashtags help raise funding for important global causes, coordinate disaster response and bring attention to forgotten or oft-neglected crises.
There are around 200 billion tweets a year, but in 2016, the aid community followed — and used — several specific hashtags to discuss global topics with the potential to impact the way development is done.
#Brexit
Uncertainties abound after the majority of the British public voted to leave the European Union in June 2016. In the U.K. aid community, questions have centered on potential funding losses, program cuts, and the direction of U.K. aid in general given changes in British leadership following the EU referendum.
#Brexit remains a popular hashtag used by both those who support and oppose the U.K’s withdrawal from the EU. British Prime Minister Theresa May, however, appears dedicated to pushing ahead with the exit by invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which briefly specifies the rules governing an EU member’s intentions to leave the European body.
The PM announced this morning that #Article50 will be triggered by the end of March 2017. #CPC16 pic.twitter.com/0MPaoL5Nqt
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) October 2, 2016
We were told #Brexit was a simple question of 'In' or 'Out.' The People did not vote for 'Shake It All About.'
— Laurie Penny (@PennyRed) December 28, 2016
I don't think I've ever wanted magic more. https://t.co/gVNQ0PYIMT
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 24, 2016
#ShareHumanity
A year in review: Global development in 2016
As we wind down 2016, we collected our top news stories, lifestyle coverage, career advice, Devex Impact stories, funding trends, and look back at Devex World. We also looked at the biggest winners and loser of 2016, the most memorable quotes, and the industry’s most confusing jargon.
It’s the official hashtag for the first ever World Humanitarian Summit that took place in May 2016. More than 5,000 individuals involved in humanitarian work participated in the event, which focused on how the sector can raise the resources needed to promptly address and respond to crises worldwide.
A few months later, the United Nations used the same hashtag in a social media campaign that highlighted stories of humanitarian triumphs around the world in the run up to World Humanitarian Day celebrated every Aug. 19. The campaign garnered support from well-known names such as Maria Sharapova and Malala Yousafzai.
At @WHSummit leaders made 3000+ commitments. Now they need to be implemented! See our new platform: https://t.co/0aWDVL7pLL #ShareHumanity
— Stephen O'Brien (@UNReliefChief) September 22, 2016
Is aid all about transactions? I ask, where is the love? https://t.co/DYPhock9NO #sharehumanity
— Sandrine Tiller (@sandrinetiller) December 16, 2016
#Aleppo
Aleppo is one of the hardest-hit cities in Syria, which has been facing a civil war and the resulting devastating humanitarian crisis since 2011. It’s also where the viral video of Omran Daqneesh, the young boy rescued from rubble following an airstrike in August, came from. Heavy shelling in the city, particularly in eastern Aleppo, has left most hospitals damaged and out of service.
Aid agencies have been calling for a cease in the fighting to secure access to evacuate civilians and provide humanitarian assistance to those trapped inside the war-torn city.
"This is not about who is right or who is wrong. It's about people: dying, being made orphans, every day." #Aleppo https://t.co/mZKFxorycu
— ICRC (@ICRC) December 13, 2016
.@MSF's full statement on the situation in east #Aleppo #Syria
— أطباء بلا حدود سوريا (@MSF_Syria) December 14, 2016
We call on all sides to spare the lives of trapped civilians #Evenwarhasrules pic.twitter.com/tIp5eaSCiF
#USElection
The world watched as the United States went to the polls in November 2016 to make history. Hillary Clinton was favored to be the first woman to sit as president of the United States, but she shocked the world by losing the election to business mogul and now U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
In the weeks following his election, Trump has begun to identify members of his cabinet, a number of whom are as controversial as he has been. The aid community awaits the new U.S. president’s foreign policy strategy and what its effect will be on U.S. foreign aid. Trump will officially take office mid-January.
So one of the many reasons we ended up with Trump as president is that he was great for ratings. Constitution besieged by clickbait.
— John H Norris (@john_h_norris) December 22, 2016
“I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans.” —Hillary on Donald Trump
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 9, 2016
Carine Umuhumuza contributed reporting.
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