DIGITAL COMMUNICATION FOR SOCIAL MOBILIZATION: THE EXPERIENCE OF GTARI - WORKING GROUP IN SUPPORT OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS

Abstract

This article refers to the extension project developed by GTARI – Working Group in Support of Refugees and Immigrants at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul. The objective is to describe the main communication actions adopted by the GTARI team in the use of digital social networks, especially from Facebook and Instagram. The production of content turned to useful information that facilitates the service and integration of the migrant population into the local/regional community. In our qualitative descriptive analysis, we highlighted the main uses of the internet aimed at social mobilization and support for immigrants and refugees. Among the main actions developed by GTARI in 2020/2021, we highlight useful information for immigrants, institutional news from GTARI and entertainment tips/information involving the migratory cause. At the end of the first year of the project, Instagram reached 170 followers and 42 publications and, according to information from the platform, GTARI reached a total of 226 accounts and got 119 interactions, with an increase of 16.4% of accounts reached. In addition, it has 16.8% more visits on its profile and an average of 2,000 impressions on the network. On Facebook, we noticed that the GTARI online audience is made up mostly of women (78%), aged between 24 and 34 years old. In addition, the municipalities of Santa Cruz do Sul, Vera Cruz, Porto Alegre, Venâncio Aires and Rio Pardo are the main cities that interact with GTARI.