Geneva Engage Awards
The Geneva Engage initiative, launched by the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP) with the support of the Republic and Canton of Geneva in 2016, assesses the interplay between International Geneva and stakeholders all over the world. The initiative includes research on how International Geneva actors communicate and create linkages with communities worldwide that are affected by the policy discussions in Geneva that span across various domains, such as development, human rights, health, environment, digital topics, etc.
In this context, the annual Geneva Engage Awards acknowledge the efforts of International Geneva actors in digital outreach. The awards evaluate Geneva-based organisations’ social media engagement, web relevance and accessibility, and innovative events. We then give out awards in three main categories according to stakeholder groups: international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and permanent representations.
A moment of change
In addition to the main categories, we have special awards that recognise innovative ways actors can create meaningful engagement while adapting to the ever-changing digital ecosystem.
In 2020, ahead of the COVID-induced remote working, we foresaw the value of online conferencing and introduced the new Online Participation Award (now Effective and Innovative Events Award). In 2022, we recognised the importance of curating a more inclusive experience for all and introduced the Accessibility Award.
This year, we aim to take a step back and reflect on what it means to create meaningful engagement. In this light, this year’s event involves new activities to encourage brainstorming discussions and innovations.
We all need accessibility. To Everything. Really.
“Over 1 billion people worldwide live with disabilities. This makes them/us the world’s largest minority group,” wrote Ginger Paque, Diplo’s Senior Policy Editor.
Our daily lives are increasingly intertwined with the digital world; we shop, learn, search for information, access public services, and carry out many other daily tasks online. Web accessibility naturally becomes a critical issue for us to tackle. What are some obstacles that currently bar people from engaging in meaningful activities online? How do we ensure that all citizens can freely access the digital world? What are some great practices that enhance web accessibility for all?
Dive in deeper on this topic with Ginger by reading her blog post.
Event programme
Before the award ceremony, we invite participants to join us in situ and talk to our experts during interactive workshops. We aim to encourage discussions on practices that induce meaningful engagement.
Workshops (only in-situ)
15:00 – 15:30 Web: accessibility, visibility, tools and practices
15:30 – 16:00 Social media: trends, strategies, and practices
16:00 – 16:30 Events and conferences: meeting platforms and AI reporting
16:30 – 17:00 Coffee and networking
Geneva Awards Ceremony (in-situ and live streaming available)
17:00 – 17:30 Presentation of 9th Geneva Engage Awards
17.30 – 19.00 Geneva Engage Reception and Ideas Bazaar
Registration will be closed on Tuesday 30 January 2024, at 23:59 CET.
There is no registration needed to watch the live stream. A link to follow the award ceremony online will be provided here shortly.