#votingmatters – Twitter chat 1 – Thank you!

  # V O T I N G M A T T E R S    –     T W I T T E R   C H A T   1

T H A N K   Y O U !

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#votingmatters is a new campaign from #Emilymatters. which champions gender equality and encourages young women to vote, ensuring that legacies of women, such as suffragette Emily Davison, are not forgotten.

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The first Why #votingmatters  Twitter chat took place on Sunday 23 November 2014, with Ayath Ullah co-hosting. Ayath has been incredibly supportive of the campaign and his expertise in running regular Twitter chats was invaluable.

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We are now planning a series of Why #votingmatters Twitter chats, so watch this space!

With less than 6 months to the UK general election, there was plenty to talk about and ideas to share.

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These Twitter chats draw on the success of the #Emilymatters House of Commons event in February 2014, which used social media to reach a wider audience.

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The aim is to create a conversation that is driven by young women, in particular, which is a platform for positive ideas and different perspectives on the democratic process from seasoned voters, first time voters and anyone who has felt that politics isn’t for them.

 

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For the first Twitter chat we invited the fantastic Powered by Girl activists to provide a question and we will continue to ensure that young people are at the heart of these chats, so if you’re an activist, a teacher or someone with a question for upcoming #votingmatters chats please contact me, via Twitter or email.

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Why the focus on young women voters? Because only  39% of women aged 18-24 voted in 2010. The conversations are open to all, from the UK and beyond – #votingmatters globally.

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This social media campaign was in large inspired by conversations with women in Scotland at the time of the Scottish Independence Referendum.

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The recent announcement by the Scotland Parliament’s new First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, of a new cabinet with a 50/50 gender balance, gave rise to the final question of the chat.

 

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STORIFY NOW AVAILABLE!

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Why #votingmatters Twitter chat – 23 November 2014:

Part I:  Q1 – How do we increase voter turnout amongst 18 to 24 year olds?

Part II:  Q2 – Should the vote be extended to 16 & 17 year olds?

Part III:  Q3 – The Scottish Parliament’s Cabinet now has a 50/50 gender balance. How can Westminster become more representative?

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We’ll be sharing details of our next #votingmatters Twitter chat on social media so make sure you follow/Like for updates. 

Twitter
Instagram
Facebook 
Vine

 

#votingmatters globally, the launch of the campaign in time for Emily Davison’s birthday, included tweets, photos and #DearLauren messages to a first time voter from the around the world.

It’s interesting to hear what is/isn’t working around the world. Together we can make a positive difference, just like the suffragettes, whose creativity and solidarity saw them through the worst of times and brought about change for good.

 

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Thank you to everyone who got involved in the first Why #votingmatters Twitter chat. Made by YOU!

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Storify on the way soon.

Planning the next Twitter chat. Details on the way.

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Kate Willoughby
Actor & Writer of Emily Wilding Davison play To Freedom’s Cause

 

Emily Davison’s legacy is for life, not just for 2013.