Emojis are a nearly universal language – symbols that speak clearly across cultures. But Finland has created a set that has a more singular focus: putting a clever and fun spin on the culture and identity of the country.

Social media is changing "business as usual" for governments, opening up democratic processes, delivering services both to understand and surveil constituents, managing threats and conducting direct diplomacy. Even so, adoption of social media is slow and uneven, with vast differences both between and within states. As more and more governments move towards e-government, their use of social media will grow. 

Education Ministry launching course to train students to advocate for Israel on online social networks • "Our 'young ambassadors' can be the future reservists of Israeli public diplomacy," Education Minister Naftali Bennett says.

On Monday evening, Facebook FB +1.05% COO Sheryl Sandberg announced in Berlin the launch of a new campaign against extremist speech on the Internet, called Online Civil Courage Initiative (OCCI). The initiative is supported by the German Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection [...]