Discover @BCWGlobal’s #Twiplomacy Study 2020 in 50 tweets.
⬇️Follow the Twitter thread 1/80⬇️
➡️🔗twiplomacy.com/blog/twiplomac…
#DigitalDiplomacy
⬇️Follow the Twitter thread 1/80⬇️
➡️🔗twiplomacy.com/blog/twiplomac…
#DigitalDiplomacy
Over the past four months the world as we know it has changed beyond recognition.
The #coronavirus has upended diplomacy, a profession which involves lots of travel, physical meetings, and in-person interactions. 2/80
The #coronavirus has upended diplomacy, a profession which involves lots of travel, physical meetings, and in-person interactions. 2/80
No more handshakes, hugs or accolades.
No more physical meetings, bilateral summits or multi-lateral gatherings. World leaders and diplomats had to adapt to work from home and have been thrust into virtual meetings. 3/80
No more physical meetings, bilateral summits or multi-lateral gatherings. World leaders and diplomats had to adapt to work from home and have been thrust into virtual meetings. 3/80
Diplomacy has become truly digital.
Within days most diplomatic activity moved online with leaders facing each other off via their respective computer screens. 4/80
Within days most diplomatic activity moved online with leaders facing each other off via their respective computer screens. 4/80
The traditional family picture of the G7, G20 or the ASEAN summits has been replaced by a mosaic of screens with leaders sitting in front of their respective flags. 5/80
The #coronavirus and #COVID19 have dominated the Twitter feeds of world leaders since early March 2020.
The #Twiplomacy study focuses on the how world leaders have tweeted during the pandemic and how #Twitter has tried to keep the chatter clean from disinformation. 7/80
The #Twiplomacy study focuses on the how world leaders have tweeted during the pandemic and how #Twitter has tried to keep the chatter clean from disinformation. 7/80
"Last thing we can handle is this kind of epidemic."
Philippine Foreign Minister @TeddyBoyLocsin was the first world leader to mention the virus in a tweet, assuring that the Department of Health and the Airport authorities are "on top of this". 8/80
Philippine Foreign Minister @TeddyBoyLocsin was the first world leader to mention the virus in a tweet, assuring that the Department of Health and the Airport authorities are "on top of this". 8/80
In his Chinese New Year greetings Iranian Foreign Minister @JZarif congratulated the Chinese government for its “timely and decisive response (…) in the fight against the new coronavirus infection pneumonia epidemic.” 9/80
U.S. President @realDonaldTrump also praised China for their efforts to contain the virus thanked President Xi Jinping for the ‘transparency’. 10/80
As the death toll of the pandemic was rising especially in Italy Pope Francis @Ponitfex prayed for those suffering from the #coronavirus. 11/80
Worldwide tens of thousands expressed their support for the healthcare workers by clapping every evening at 20:00. On Twitter the @EU_Commission shared the clapping gif. 12/80
The President of Panama @NitoCortizo tweeted 140 clapping emojis in honour of the healthcare workers. 13/80
Many other leaders used the emojis to express their gratitude towards the health workers. 14/80
Some leaders such as Turkish President @RTErdogan came out clapping for healthcare workers. 15/80
UK Prime Minister @BorisJohnson has led the weekly #ClapForCarers in front of 10 Downing Street.
On April 30 the #ThankYouNHS had a very special meaning the day after his fiancée had given birth to their baby boy. 16/80
On April 30 the #ThankYouNHS had a very special meaning the day after his fiancée had given birth to their baby boy. 16/80
The UK Prime Minister @BorisJohnson has been one of a handful of world leaders who tested positive for #coronavirus. In late March he announced that he was going into self-isolation 17/80
In early April @BorisJohnson’s condition had worsened, and he was hospitalized spending several days in intensive care, prompting his peers to send him get well soon tweets 18/80
twitter.com/i/events/12472…
twitter.com/i/events/12472…
“The rumour has become reality... I have just tested positive for COVID-19”
Prince Albert II🇲🇨, @NikolPashinyan🇦🇲, @JeanineAnez🇧🇴, @JairBolsonaro🇧🇷, and the Foreign Minister @AlphaBarry20🇧🇫 were all diagnosed with #COVID19. 19/80
Prince Albert II🇲🇨, @NikolPashinyan🇦🇲, @JeanineAnez🇧🇴, @JairBolsonaro🇧🇷, and the Foreign Minister @AlphaBarry20🇧🇫 were all diagnosed with #COVID19. 19/80
Be safe and wear a mask
@AlphaBarry20 and a handful of world leaders, including the @SebastianPinera @NayibBukele @NarendraModi, and @LeeHsienLoong updated their Twitter profile picture wearing a face mask, a subtle way to lead by example😷 20/80
@AlphaBarry20 and a handful of world leaders, including the @SebastianPinera @NayibBukele @NarendraModi, and @LeeHsienLoong updated their Twitter profile picture wearing a face mask, a subtle way to lead by example😷 20/80
While @realDonaldTrump has consistently avoided to be photographed wearing a facemask, @FLOTUS gladly modelled a cloth face covering including a recommendation from the @CDCgov to wear a face mask 😷 21/80
The members of the @WhiteHouse #coronavirus Task Force started wearing face masks at their meetings only a month later in mid-May 😷 22/80
Botswana’s President @OfficialMasisi put together an engaging video to encourage citizens to wear a mask and the @BWGovernment🇧🇼 launched the #BWMaskChallenge asking followers to share a masked selfie. 23/80
The @PresidencyZA and President @CyrilRamaphosa encouraged followers to show their support for the lock down measures by downloading and displaying a Twibbon on their social media profiles encouraging citizens to #StayHome and #StaySafe. 24/80
At the end of an address to the nation the South African President called his citizens to wear a face mask but @CyrilRamaphosa visibly struggled to put it on himself.
pscp.tv/PresidencyZA/1… 25/80
pscp.tv/PresidencyZA/1… 25/80
However, @CyrilRamaphosa took it in a stride, promising to teach people how to put on a face mask. 26/80
pscp.tv/CyrilRamaphosa…
pscp.tv/CyrilRamaphosa…
Slovakia's President @ZuzanaCaputova was wearing a face mask, colour coordinated with her dress, for the swearing in ceremony of the new government lead by Prime Minister @Igor_Matovic who was also wearing a face mask. 27/80
The Masked Selfie😷
Some world leaders have shared masked selfies including Luxembourg Prime Minister @Xavier_Bettel who tweeted a selfie with his partner. 28/80
Some world leaders have shared masked selfies including Luxembourg Prime Minister @Xavier_Bettel who tweeted a selfie with his partner. 28/80
Ukrainian President Volodymyr @ZelenskyyUA posted a masked selfie in front of a fountain in Chernihiv, in an effort to promote tourism to the northern Ukrainian city, "a real magnet for tourists!" 29/80
Countless governments also updated their Twitter covers spreading health and safety advice on top of their profiles.
The @EU_Commission, @Merrionstreet, @PIB_India and @MOFAVietnam added hashtags to their Twitter names including #StayHome and #WeWillWinTogether. 30/80
The @EU_Commission, @Merrionstreet, @PIB_India and @MOFAVietnam added hashtags to their Twitter names including #StayHome and #WeWillWinTogether. 30/80
The @French_Gov promoted the hashtag #JeResteChezMoi (I stay at home) among the top trending topics on Twitter to encourage its citizens to stay in place. 31/80
Starting in early March leaders took to social media to address the pandemic, encouraging their citizens to wash hands and sneeze into their elbows. 32/80
twitter.com/i/events/12405…
twitter.com/i/events/12405…
African leaders including participated in @WHO’s #SafeHands challenge designed to show how thorough handwashing is the most effective way to slow the spread of the coronavirus. 33/80
Several leaders offered a helping hand to entertain citizens confined at home.
Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau, a trained teacher, offered to help parents and children with their homework #CanadaHomeworkHelp. 34/80
Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau, a trained teacher, offered to help parents and children with their homework #CanadaHomeworkHelp. 34/80
Andorra’s Prime Minister @XavierEspot explained to the young girls and boys that “we have a secret weapon against the coronavirus which is staying at home” 35/80
During the coronavirus lockdown world leaders were able to show a more personal side on social media and a glimpse into their private lives.
Albanian🇦🇱 President @IlirMetazyrtar shared a video mowing his lawn and wishing everyone a great weekend. 36/80
Albanian🇦🇱 President @IlirMetazyrtar shared a video mowing his lawn and wishing everyone a great weekend. 36/80
The Foreign Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis🇰🇳 @MarkBrantley3 produced a series of coronavirus curfew cooking videos encouraging his citizens to stay at home and showing that #MenCanCook too. 37/80
.@MarkBrantley3 then showed off his physical condition doing push-ups to encourage his followers to stay healthy at home. 38/80
The end of the handshake
Austrian President Alexander @VanderBellen asked his citizens to ditch the handshake and adopt the "polite and friendly" Asian greeting to avoid spreading the virus. 39/80
Austrian President Alexander @VanderBellen asked his citizens to ditch the handshake and adopt the "polite and friendly" Asian greeting to avoid spreading the virus. 39/80
The @Israel Twitter account shared a fun short video with several alternative ways to greet including the foot shake. 40/80
Social Distancing Diplomacy
The former Prime Minister of Kosovo @AlbinKurti met with @USAmbKosovo, Philip Kosnett at a safe distance in mid-March. 41/80
The former Prime Minister of Kosovo @AlbinKurti met with @USAmbKosovo, Philip Kosnett at a safe distance in mid-March. 41/80
Italian President Sergio Mattarella was also alone with the guards of honour to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Italy on April 25 in Rome. 43/80
Virtual Meetings
At the start of the first ever video conference of the @EUCouncil, @EUCOPresident @CharlesMichel needed to remind all participants to “Please, mute your microphone”. 44/80
At the start of the first ever video conference of the @EUCouncil, @EUCOPresident @CharlesMichel needed to remind all participants to “Please, mute your microphone”. 44/80
Most of the 27 participants of the @EUCouncil meeting shared pictures watching the conference call on their video screens. 45/80
twitter.com/i/events/12377…
twitter.com/i/events/12377…
By mid-March world leaders were suddenly thrust into digital meetings and zoom calls.
German Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas held a video summit with his counterparts from 🇨🇿 🇭🇺 🇵🇱 🇸🇰 in a fully equipped studio including live translations booths. 46/80
German Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas held a video summit with his counterparts from 🇨🇿 🇭🇺 🇵🇱 🇸🇰 in a fully equipped studio including live translations booths. 46/80
The three Baltic Presidents simply used their laptops to connect for the regular tripartite summit. 47/80
Estonian President @KerstiKaljulaid propped up her laptop on a shoe box which she dubbed “Guerilla remote working!” 48/80
When UK Prime Minister @BorisJohnson chaired his “first ever digital cabinet” meeting on Zoom he also shared a screenshot including the conference ID 49/80
The planned state visit of Georgian President @Zourabichvili_S was replaced by a telephone conversation with her Swiss counterpart @S_Sommaruga. 50/80
During their bilateral video meeting the @Arm_President Armen Sarkissian and the President of Georgia, @Zourabichvili_S “spoke about the life during and after the coronavirus.” 51/80
The new Foreign Minister of Malaysia, @HishammuddinH2O held a bilateral video conference with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince @FaisalbinFarhan and shared the video recording of the first couple of minutes on Twitter. 52/80
Due to the pandemic the Foreign Minister of Bahrain Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, received copies of credentials from a number of ambassadors-designate via video conference. 53/80
The Lithuanian mission @LTinUae filmed the moment Ambassador Edminas Bagdonas handed over the letter of credence. 54/80
The G7 leaders decided to hold an extraordinary video conference in mid-March.
Instead of the traditional family picture, the Japanese government @kantei shared a picture of Prime Minister @AbeShinzo looking at a screen with his counterparts. 55/80
Instead of the traditional family picture, the Japanese government @kantei shared a picture of Prime Minister @AbeShinzo looking at a screen with his counterparts. 55/80
Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau took the G7 video call from his home where he was self-confined after the revelation that his wife had been diagnosed with #COVID19. 56/80
At the end of March Saudi Arabia convened an extraordinary G20 @G20org virtual summit to discuss the #coronavirus pandemic.
The setup for online summit was more professional with each leader seated in front of a large flat screen. 57/80
The setup for online summit was more professional with each leader seated in front of a large flat screen. 57/80
Organizing large-scale, multi-lateral summits online is a challenge.
@EstoniaUN which held the presidency of the #UN Security Council, brought representatives from 80 countries to the virtual stage to share their contribution on #LessonsForPeace. 58/80
@EstoniaUN which held the presidency of the #UN Security Council, brought representatives from 80 countries to the virtual stage to share their contribution on #LessonsForPeace. 58/80
The @EU_Commission President Ursula @vonderLeyen single-handedly moderated a three-hour long online Coronavirus Global Response pledging event with live and recorded statements from countless leaders pledging a total of €7.5 billion.
pscp.tv/EU_Commission/… 59/80
pscp.tv/EU_Commission/… 59/80
Can you hear me now?! 👂
Obviously, video diplomacy didn’t happen without some teething problems as German Chancellor @AngelaMerkel experienced on a video link with @WHO’s @DrTedros when the audio connection was a bit patchy. 60/80
pscp.tv/WHO/1MYxNkdoMb…
Obviously, video diplomacy didn’t happen without some teething problems as German Chancellor @AngelaMerkel experienced on a video link with @WHO’s @DrTedros when the audio connection was a bit patchy. 60/80
pscp.tv/WHO/1MYxNkdoMb…
By July world leaders had gotten used the virtual meetings and the members of the @ComunidadAndina staged a virtual family picture. 61/80
The New Face of Diplomacy
At their first in person meeting German Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas and his Luxembourg counterpart @JeanAsselborn didn’t shake hands but held a mask as they met on the Mosel River in Schengen to reopen the borders. 62/80
At their first in person meeting German Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas and his Luxembourg counterpart @JeanAsselborn didn’t shake hands but held a mask as they met on the Mosel River in Schengen to reopen the borders. 62/80
When @HeikoMaas met his Italian counterpart @LuigiDiMaio in Rome both men were wearing face masks and elbow bumping instead of shaking hands. 63/80
At the first in-person meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council since the coronavirus lockdown in July ministers were wearing masks, some with their national colours and none shook hands. 64/80
Engaging the Media and the Public virtually
Press conferences have also gone online. The @ExtSpoxEU shared a picture of the empty press conference room and the journalists calling in via video connection for the daily briefing. 65/80
Press conferences have also gone online. The @ExtSpoxEU shared a picture of the empty press conference room and the journalists calling in via video connection for the daily briefing. 65/80
German and French leaders @AngelaMerkel and @EmmanuelMacron held a virtual press conference after their consultations via live video link-up from Berlin and Paris to brief reporters. 66/80
The UK government @10DowningStreet has repeatedly encouraged its followers to send in questions for the daily coronavirus press briefing encouraging direct two-way interaction with the citizens via social media. 67/80
Boris Johnson has sat down to answer some of these questions.
In one of these People’s Prime Minister Question Time he was asked to answer: "What shampoo do you use?" 68/80
In one of these People’s Prime Minister Question Time he was asked to answer: "What shampoo do you use?" 68/80
Even Pope Francis agreed to be interviewed via Skype by Spanish journalist Jordi Évole who asked him bluntly whether "in a situation like this, even a Pope could doubt the existence of God?"
“Obviously” the @Pontifex replied. 69/80
“Obviously” the @Pontifex replied. 69/80
The @Israel🇮🇱 Twitter account conducted two epic Twitter Q&A sessions during the lockdown challenging its followers to “Ask Us Anything”. 70/80
Fighting the Infodemic and Misinformation
As the virus spread across the globe so did disinformation on social networks. Twitter created special #coronavirus search prompts to direct users to trusted and authoritative sources. 71/80
As the virus spread across the globe so did disinformation on social networks. Twitter created special #coronavirus search prompts to direct users to trusted and authoritative sources. 71/80
Surfacing relevant sources
Twitter also decided to actively verify hundreds of health experts including health ministers around the world. 72/80
Twitter also decided to actively verify hundreds of health experts including health ministers around the world. 72/80
Fighting Disinformation
Twitter stepped up the fight against state-sponsored disinformation and misinformation. In January many accounts of the Venezuelan government were suspended for violating its rules including the @PresidencialVen account with 1.1 million followers 73/80
Twitter stepped up the fight against state-sponsored disinformation and misinformation. In January many accounts of the Venezuelan government were suspended for violating its rules including the @PresidencialVen account with 1.1 million followers 73/80
On March 22 Twitter simply deleted a tweet from @NicolasMaduro’s Twitter account.
The president of Venezuela had shared a series of links to articles pointing to a supposed coronavirus remedy. 74/80
The president of Venezuela had shared a series of links to articles pointing to a supposed coronavirus remedy. 74/80
Get the facts about COVID-19
Twitter also flagged two misleading tweets from the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s deputy spokesperson @zlj517 who alleged that the coronavirus originated in the U.S. 75/80
Twitter also flagged two misleading tweets from the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s deputy spokesperson @zlj517 who alleged that the coronavirus originated in the U.S. 75/80
U.S. and Chinese diplomats have clashed over the origin of #COVID19, a war of words fought out in plain sight on Twitter. @MFA_China tweeted that "Confirmed cases of #COVID19 were first found in China, but its origin is not necessarily in China." 76/80
In response U.S. Secretary of State @SecPompeo repeatedly referred to #COVID19 as the #WuhanVirus which didn’t help to appease the tensions. 77/80
Twitter’s fight against misleading information on its platform culminated when two tweets from @realDonaldTrump alleging mail-in ballots would lead to fraud were flagged for fact checking. 78/80
The U.S. President retaliated removing some of the legal protections social media platforms enjoy. On Twitter @realDonaldTrump accused the social network of interfering in the 2020 presidential elections and stifling free speech. 79/80
The tit-for-tat found its apogee when Twitter flagged one of Donald Trump’s tweets for “glorifying violence”. The tweet which quoted a sentence by Miami police chief in 1967: "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" was hidden from the public’s view. 80/80
The decisive action by Twitter was a stark reminder to government officials and world leaders that they are not free to post incendiary tweets and that the health of the network is paramount.
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