Head of Press & Public Diplomacy, Delegation of the EU to the UK – UCL EUROPE Blog

Federico Bianchi is is a profession diplomat with over 20 years of expertise in several organisations, together with the UN, the EU and the Italian Overseas Service, and a number of international locations. At present Spokesperson and Head of Press & Public Diplomacy for the EU Delegation to the UK, he has had giant expertise in main communication efforts in worldwide relations.

Dr Bianchi just lately visited UCL to ship a masterclass hosted by the European Institute on the ability of communication in diplomacy, specializing in the significance of a nuanced and strategic messaging in an more and more risky international geopolitical context. After this go to, I had the chance to ask Dr Bianchi some questions.

AM: Given your expertise in public diplomacy, what position do you see for tutorial establishments like UCL in strengthening EU-UK relations?

FB: Educational establishments like UCL play a vital position in strengthening EU-UK relations. They function platforms for dialogue and trade of concepts, fostering a deeper understanding of every aspect’s views. UCL, with its various pupil physique and analysis initiatives, can contribute considerably by internet hosting discussions, workshops, and collaborative tasks that target shared challenges and alternatives. Furthermore, involving college students in these dialogues prepares the subsequent technology of leaders who can navigate the complexities of EU-UK relations. Along with my colleagues, it has been a privilege to work with UCL prior to now few years on extremely essential tasks such because the European Literary Map of London, an interactive device with greater than 70 entries in 23 European languages which presents London via the eyes of Europe’s writers and demonstrates London’s enduring relevance for European tradition.

AM: What do you think about to be the important thing priorities for bettering EU-UK communication and understandings?

FB: Each side must spend money on clear communication methods that demystify insurance policies and choices, serving to the general public perceive the rationale behind them. Moreover, fostering grassroots initiatives that encourage dialogue between communities can strengthen mutual understanding. It’s additionally essential to handle misinformation and interact with various audiences to make sure that our messaging resonates with totally different segments of society. Misinformation – or FIMI as we favor to confer with – is in truth an essential space of focus in our relationship with the UK and we attempt to spotlight the work we do with a yearly occasion, the London FIMI Discussion board, bringing collectively consultants and key stakeholders from the EU, the UK and from around the globe.

Additionally persevering with highlighting the excellent position of the European Union residents within the UK and of the British diaspora throughout the EU is important to proceed fostering inclusivity and construct on the pivotal contributions to the EU and UK’s stability, safety and prosperity. Yearly the EU Delegation hosts a big gathering for EU residents wherein a whole bunch of individuals, representing NGOs in addition to organisations working throughout the nation to guard EU residents rights post-Brexit, come along with coverage makers, diplomats, journalists and British buddies to debate matters of shared curiosity and share concepts.

AM: The EU Delegation has been very energetic on social media platforms. How do you measure the effectiveness of digital diplomacy in shaping British public understanding of EU insurance policies and values?

FB: We measure the effectiveness of digital diplomacy via a mixture of analytics, engagement metrics, and suggestions. By monitoring likes, shares, and feedback, we will gauge public curiosity and sentiment. Moreover, conducting surveys and monitoring media protection helps us perceive how our messaging is perceived. It’s essential to be adaptive; we analyse what resonates with our audiences and refine our methods accordingly. Finally, the aim is to foster knowledgeable discussions about EU insurance policies and values, making certain that our communication is impactful and related. We’re on X, Instagram, Fb, Youtube and just lately we now have opened a LinkedIn web page which is performing extremely properly. We hyperlink our social media additionally with our webpage and our podcast, “London calling EU”, a pivotal device of our outreach that shines the highlight on areas of EU-UK cooperation, permitting the protagonists of our relationship, particularly throughout the arts, sciences, sports activities, in addition to people-to-people contacts to share their tales. It’s obtainable on Spotify and all main platforms.

AM: A extra normal query to spherical it off: what has been your most fun a part of dwelling in London and representing the EU overseas? 

FB: Dwelling in London has been an extremely enriching expertise for me. Town is a melting pot of cultures, concepts, and views, which displays the essence of what the EU stands for. Some of the thrilling elements has been partaking with various communities and witnessing the vibrancy of civil society right here. The dynamism of London, mixed with its historic significance as a world hub, gives countless alternatives for dialogue and collaboration. I’ve significantly loved the prospect to attach with younger individuals, as their enthusiasm and progressive concepts remind me of the potential that exists after we work collectively throughout borders. To that extent I want to point out the EU Delegation’s yearly Youth gathering, that brings collectively a whole bunch of younger college students, professionals in addition to the members of grassroots organisations and our community of European societies from throughout the UK. We’re significantly proud that the very first version of the Gathering was organised with UCL’s European Institute again in 2023. A variety of remarkable UCL younger leaders took half in that occasion, in addition to the UCL President and Provost, college and the EU Ambassador to the UK, Pedro Serrano. The Youth Gathering is our approach to facilitate significant coverage dialogue with younger individuals throughout sectors and borders to seek out progressive solutions to international challenges and share views about EU-UK relations.

Aimé Mühlemann research Politics and Worldwide Relations at UCL. He’s the 2024-25 Communications and Outreach Intern on the UCL European Institute.

Featured picture: Headshot of Federico Bianchi

Word: The views expressed on this publish are these of the creator, and never of the UCL European Institute, nor of UCL.