Social Media Portal interview with Katja Schurter from Solidar Suisse

Profiled - Katja Schurter, editor and journalist at Solidar Suisse

Social Media Portal (SMP): What do you do there at Solidar Suisse?

Katja Schurter (KS): Katja Schurter and I'm the editor and journalist at Solidar Suisse


SMP: Briefly, tell us about Solidar Suisse, what is it and what does the organisation do?

KS: Solidar Suisse is an NGO active in international co-operation. We are committed to a fairer society ? socially, politically and economically. With over 50 projects in 12 countries and campaigns in Switzerland.

SMP: Tell us more about the FIFA Boss Sepp Blatter Goes Crazy - Viral Campaign, what is it about and why did you launch it?

KS: Evictions, human rights violations and exploitation are overshadowing preparations for the world championship 2014 in Brazil. The people affected are those already living in poverty. We have launched our campaign to put pressure on FIFA to change its policy from just generating profits for itself to guaranteeing that around the World Cup no human rights are being violated.






SMP: Who are your target audience and why?

KS: Everyone feeling concerned about social justice ? be they interested in football or not.

SMP: How are you initially attracting users to your campaign and how will you continue to do so?

KS: We have put the viral spot on YouTube, shared it on Facebook, Twitter etc. and encouraged everyone to share the links and sign the petition www.solidar.ch.

SMP: What are the high moments of what you have been doing so far?

KS: The campaign has started very well, with more people signing the petition on our homepage than we dared hope for. Also the media have been interested. Now it?s starting to slow down.  

SMP: What do you see as your biggest challenges and opportunities for the campaign?

KS: Biggest challenge and opportunity in one are that we can keep up the attention of the public regarding what?s happening in Brazil and put enough public pressure on FIFA so they have to change their policy.

SMP: How are you making it social?

KS: Via YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

SMP: What are the next moves for the campaign in terms of social media?

KS: Ongoing comments on Facebook and Twitter. Newsletters to get people to sign who haven?t yet and inform the ones who have about new developments in Brazil etc.

SMP: What outcome are you expecting from the viral video?

KS: To inform people in a humorous way and hence get them to share the video, spread the news, sign the petition.

SMP: Best way to contact you and Solidar Suisse  

KS: http://www.facebook.com/solidar.ch and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blfCyY35dbU and Solidarsuisse



SMP: How many hours to you work a week?

KS: 28 and more.

SMP: When and where did you go on your last holiday?

KS: In February on a ski tour in the Swiss mountains.

SMP: What?s the first thing you do when you get into the office of a morning?

KS: Open the window and start the computer.

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