Sharing Moment: The "Me" in Social Media: navigating the balance with the work I do

As a longtime social media nerd, I've witnessed the transition from the raw, unfiltered beginnings of social media platforms like MySpace, Hi5, Skyblog, Tumblr, and later Facebook to the polished sophistication of today's networks.

Instagram – which I joined?in my early twenties?–?marked a significant shift towards visual storytelling and became a haven for photography, visual arts, and the burgeoning hipster culture.?It was a space where like-minded individuals could connect over shared aesthetics, distinct from other social media's diverse content landscape.??

When Instagram shifted its content focus from permanent posts to?Stories?that last only twenty-four hours, I embraced the trend,?happy to share my life's small, everyday details.?However, I grew more cautious over time about what I shared and with whom. How can this content benefit those around me and draw attention to important issues? I found my answer in using this platform to promote, inform, and raise awareness about the plight of the most vulnerable. Working for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency ,?has significantly shaped this new direction.

Instagram and the work we do

My reflective journey with social media coincided with my professional growth as a communicator in the humanitarian sector, challenging me to balance my?personal?identity with my responsibilities as an international civil servant for UNHCR.

Acknowledging these reflections, I want to use socials to enhance and illuminate?the work we do?at UNHCR! But what stories should I share??And?how can it be done while respecting the ethical communications guidelines, personal social media guidelines,?prioritizing co-creation and ensuring informed consent? Refugees have?powerful?stories, expressions, and voices – how can those be expressed in a way that advocates for tangible change? The challenge lies in conveying the depth of refugees' experiences.

In addition, social media must be compelling to be effective, and we must find the balance between creating engaging content with refugees while respecting the sensitive nature of the material and any protection concerns. It is a complex task to co-create content for an online community while balancing the world of clickbait and virality with the sensitive nuances of the stories of lived experiences of people forced to flee.

In my line of work, the question of social media's role in the narrative of forced displacement looms large.

When considering what material to share, the options often seem limited. Meetings and internal discussions are too niche and could be sensitive information, while more conventional storytelling might not strike the right chord and risk cliché.?

?As someone deeply embedded in the humanitarian sector through my work with UNHCR, I'm committed to advancing the narrative around refugees to foster empathy and mobilize action. Adhering to UNHCR's ethical communications guidelines?, I must navigate the?fine?balance between personal conviction and professional responsibility. This job isn't just a career. It's a calling, blurring the line between personal and professional lives, driven by a desire to make a tangible difference in the world.

Yet, this commitment brings its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining authenticity and integrity online. The pressure to present a relentlessly positive outlook can detract from the complex, often painful realities faced by the people we work with and for. It's a delicate balance to strike, expressing genuine emotions and frustrations without simplifying the issues or compromising one's professional integrity.

Innovation and communication: two peas in a pod

My reflections on the use of social media in humanitarian efforts underscore the need for responsible, innovative approaches to visual storytelling.?

Across a saturated market, we?need to?continue to find new ways to engage and inform audiences and drive advocacy and change while keeping in mind digital accessibility best practices and diversity of representation.?Here, exploring different ways and innovating to produce content and using new postproduction tools can be beneficial.

For example, I first experienced the potential of immersive technology in 2021 when I used a waterproof and durable camera to document life in a displaced persons' site in Mali?during the rainy season. With this camera, I captured the flooding and the dilapidated shelters, bringing much-needed attention to the dire situation of its inhabitants. On the editing side, the development and advancement of Artificial Intelligence tools?,?allow users to produce professional-quality photos and graphics?easily, regardless of their expertise level.?

In?remote areas where direct access to content creation is often limited, should we cease our communication efforts??Certainly not. There are?powerful?opportunities to collaborate further with refugees willing to co-create content to share their stories and messages through written and visual storytelling.

While it might seem orchestrated to some, taking the time to identify individuals eager to share their stories through art creates impactful narratives that can resonate with both refugees and the online audience.?

It often feels like we're circulating the same stories across different platforms, reaching an audience already familiar with – or unwilling to learn about – the plight of these people. This redundancy can potentially desensitize the audience, rendering the message predictable despite the varying platforms?it's shared?on. We?find ourselves consuming?the same content across our social feeds, with little differentiation.

This process is about creating a space where individuals feel comfortable and express themselves; it should always?be based?on mutual trust, respect for dignity, and empathy. I like to think of this as "Phototherapy" (I need to trademark the term quickly!).?

Co-creating has?not only?left a significant mark on my work and enriched my exposure to various situations, but it has also facilitated new encounters, strengthened connections, and fostered new friendships.?This experience has been humbling and opened my eyes to a vast?world yet so?closely knit and united.

As we navigate this journey together

As I continue to refine my approach and explore new ways to engage audiences on Instagram and other social media platforms?both?for work and personally, I aim to merge my "millennial sensibilities" with the ever-changing digital environment. I strive to build connections that enlighten and inspire people from diverse backgrounds to open their hearts to the struggles faced by refugees and those in humanitarian crises. In a world where the digital gap is widening, the forcibly displaced should have equal representation in discussions and spaces about digitalism, futurism and technology. I'm excited about exploring innovative ways to advance their participation in simulated reality and the metaverse.?

In this rapidly changing technological world, keeping UNHCR's humanitarian cause at the forefront of the audience's minds can sometimes feel like a constant chase. However, this pressure compels us to adapt and innovate, find more effective ways to amplify voices, sharpen our storytelling techniques, and improve the quality of the material we share.

As we navigate this journey?together, how can we enhance our ability to touch and educate our audiences with innovative and impactful humanitarian communications??

I'm eager to read your thoughts and insights in the comments!