The First Digital Nation
Government of Tuvalu2022
The First Digital Nation is a 2022 online film, digital twin and website for Government of Tuvalu, created by The Monkeys (Accenture Song), Sydney.
Why it works
In November 2022 Tuvalu’s foreign minister, Simon Kofe, addressed the COP27 climate summit by video from what appeared to be a beach on Te Afualiku, one of the islets expected to be lost first to rising seas. As he spoke, the camera pulled back to reveal that the island was a digital replica, and he announced that Tuvalu would become the first digital nation, copying its land, culture and records into the cloud so that it could go on functioning as a state if its territory went under. Built by The Monkeys with Collider, the film, the digital twin and an advocacy website turned a technology idea into an argument about sovereignty under international law. It is studied because its target was policy rather than sales. The jury gave it the 2023 Titanium Grand Prix, saying it scored highest from the first day of judging to the last; Accenture later reported that ten countries had agreed to recognise Tuvalu’s statehood permanently.
Techniques
- Purpose and cause A government uses a film, a digital twin and a website to argue about climate and sovereignty, aiming at policy rather than sales.
- Fear appeal The camera pulls back to reveal a digital replica, confronting viewers with a nation whose islands are expected to be lost to rising seas.
Sources · 4
- Glory for Australia as The Monkeys’ ‘The First Digital Nation’ for The Government of Tuvalu takes out Dan Wieden Titanium Lions Grand Prix
- Tuvalu turns to the metaverse as rising seas threaten existence
- From despair to digital hope, The Monkeys talk Tuvalu's Titanium triumph
- Accenture Song Wins Dan Wieden Titanium Grand Prix for Tuvalu “The First Digital Nation”
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