Social Media – Creatively Connecting Communities – A Project for Near East and North Africa

This project sought to highlight the U.S. commitment to the free exchange of ideas, the promotion of internet freedoms, and youth empowerment. Participants examined current trends in social media and the online platforms that connect communities and civil societies around the world. Twelve participants from seven different countries in the Middle East (Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates) met with businesses, advocacy organizations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and universities to learn how they use social media strategies to reach and interact with their target audiences.

The program began in Washington, DC where participants examined a broad range of ways in which social media tools are being used by civil society, government, and business. A day of professional programming in New York City sought to cover innovative mechanisms for using social media to harness the power of youth and to examine digital strategies for countering disinformation. Boston, Massachusetts hosted the group for discussions of effective digital city governance, examinations of technology and social impact, and digital programs examining arts and culture.  Participants traveled to the rust belt city of Cleveland, Ohio to look at how digital media companies, local government, and youth serving organizations are leveraging digital technologies to expand their reach and to interact with customers and constituents. And the program concluded in Seattle, Washington with a workshop on data intelligence, online reputation management, and influencer engagement.

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