Event summary
Geneva, Switzerland, 12 December 2017: The 3rd Annual Geneva Engage Awards have been awarded to actors in International Geneva in recognition of the effectiveness of their social media engagement during 2017.
The three recipients of the award, distinguished for their social media activity and outreach, are:
- The Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations in Geneva, in the Permanent Missions category;
- The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), in the International Organisations category;
- The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), in the NGO and Non-profit Organisations category.
Representatives from the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) picking up the Geneva Engage Award for the International Organisations category
Supported by the Canton of Geneva, the awards were based on DiploFoundation’s Geneva Engage Analysis. The ceremony took place on 11 December in Geneva.
Introducing the Geneva Engage awards, DiploFoundation director and Geneva Internet Platform head Dr Jovan Kurbalija explained how the awards have shifted in focus. While the focus was initially on the quantity of social media connections, the analysis this year focused on the quality of interactions.
‘If you want to engage, you have to create a dialogue, to listen, and to create empathy with people worldwide. This requires a special set of skills,’ Dr Kurbalija explained. ‘The channel for communication is just a channel. The message which is conveyed… could be used and misused.’
Mr Olivier Coutau, Delegate for International Geneva for the Canton of Geneva, said that what matters to international organisations today is to listen to the vulnerable, and to those whom they are trying to assist. Social media can be used not only as a voice that connects with others, but as a means of listening to others. It is this dimension of listening and engaging with the rest of the world that the 3rd Geneva Engage Awards have recognised this year.
The opening remarks were followed by a panel discussion, focusing on four aspects of online engagement:
- Assisting populations affected by crisis through social media;
- Converging International Geneva around a social media campaign;
- Analysing social media networks and identifying influences;
- Effectively communicating the message of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Ms Barbara Rosen Jacobson, programme manager at DiploFoundation and the Geneva Internet Platform, explained the methodology behind the awards, including the requirements and indicators along which the organisations’ social media activities were measured.
The top 6 organisations and missions in each category were also recognised:
International Organisations:
- United Nations Office at Geneva
- World Health Organization
- International Air Transport Association
- European Broadcasting Union
- International Trade Centre
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
NGOs and Non-profit Organisations:
- World Wide Fund for Nature
- World Economic Forum
- International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association
- Aga Khan Development Network
- Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations
- International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Permanent Missions:
- European Union
- The Netherlands
- Israel
- Sweden
- France
- Azerbaijan
The Geneva Engage Awards are an initiative of DiploFoundation and the Geneva Internet Platform, and are supported by the Canton of Geneva. Learn more about the initiative and view the recording of the event.
Event description
The work done by the United Nations, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and other institutions in Geneva has a global impact. Supported by the Canton of Geneva, the Geneva Engage Awards celebrate the organisations and missions that have been the most effective in their social media outreach and engagement.
The Third Geneva Engage Awards, which took place on 11 December 2017, have honoured Geneva-based organisations for their social media engagement. Learn more, and view the recording below.
New!
- Consult the data analysis of the 3rd Geneva Engage Awards
- Take a look at the photos of the event
- Read the press release
Background
The work done by the United Nations, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and other institutions in Geneva has a global impact. It is therefore important to broaden the understanding of the work carried out in International Geneva, and to better connect with the communities worldwide that are affected by the policy discussions that take place there. Digital technology brings new opportunities to make the bridge that connects the two.
The Geneva Engage Awards are handed out each year to the international organisations, non-governmental organisations, non-profits, and permanent missions that have been the most effective in their social media outreach and engagement. The selection for the award is based on DiploFoundation’s analysis of the innovative and effective use of social media in 2017.
With the support of the Canton of Geneva, the 3rd Annual Geneva Engage Award ceremony will be held on Monday, 11th December, from 15:00-17:00, in Auditorium de Mello, WMO building, 2nd floor (Av. de la Paix 7bis, 1202 Geneva). It will be followed by a reception.
Programme
15:00-15:10: Opening remarks
- Dr Jovan Kurbalija, Director of DiploFoundation and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform
- Mr Olivier Coutau, Delegate for International Geneva, Republic and State of Geneva
15:10-16:10: Engaging International Geneva and beyond:
- Philippe Marc Stoll, deputy head of Public Communication, ICRC
Using social media to engage people affected by crisis - Madeleine Evans, communication & events manager, Geneva Peacebuilding Platform
Converging International Geneva around a social media campaign - David Breed, series editor, Digital GVA, Global Geneva Magazine
Measuring the quality and quantity of social media networks - Afsar, Syed Mohammad, senior technical specialist and head of Communication, Training and Partnerships at Gender, Equality and Diversity & ILOAIDS Branch, WORKQUALITY Department, ILO
Promoting the development agenda through social media
16:10-16:50: Geneva Engage Awards ceremony:
- Presentation of the methodology
- Announcement of the winners
- Presentation of the winners
16:50-17:00: Closing of the event
17:00-18:30: Reception
Nominees
…and the nominees are (in alphabetical order):
International organisations:
- European Broadcasting Union
- International Air Transport Association
- International Trade Centre
- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
- United Nations Office at Geneva
- World Health Organization
NGOs and non-profits:
- Aga Khan Development Network
- Global Alliance For Vaccines and Immunizations
- International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
- International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association
- World Economic Forum
- World Wide Fund for Nature
Permanent missions to the United Nations in Geneva:
- Azerbaijan
- European Union
- France
- Israel
- Sweden
- The Netherlands
Contact
For more information, get in touch with Barbara Rosen Jacobson at barbarar@diplomacy.edu.
