Fourth International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) opened in Sharjah on Sunday, 22 February, 2015. Follow the events on the first day of IGCF 15 here as it happened: (With inputs from Faisal Masudi, Jumana Khamis and Mary Achkhanian, Staff reporters)
4:30pm: Work on truth and transparency, says Julia Gillard
Australia's former prime minister, Julia Gillard, told the International Government Communication Forum in Sharjah on Sunday that people demand truth and transparency in society, and that "It is the role of governments to exchange information based on such demands".
She also said that politicians who can not keep their promises "can be forgiven if they explain themselves openly to the public".
3:50pm: Be wary of popular media, says Julia Gillard
Women can make adversarial settings, like robust and hard hitting Parliaments, their own.
Leaders must be careful of so-called "popular" media, which can trivialise their positions and detract from politics.
.@JuliaGillard: We live in a "post spin" age. The average individual is smart enough to identify a publicity stunt. #ICGF15— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
.@JuliaGillard: Social media shows the better & worst parts of our nature. From #illRideWithYou, to disgraceful insults & bigotry. #IGCF15— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
3:40pm:
An interview session with Julia Gillard, Former PM of Australia, begins.
2:55pm: Need for communication
Governments should reach out to people, they can no longer expect the public to come to them, commented Alex Aiken, Executive Director for UK Government Communications. Lack of interactivity is one of the real problems in government communication sometimes, he said.
2:35pm: Spreading awareness
Governments need to spread awareness about their services and policies and they need to make regular announcements to communicate with people, said Yomna Kamel, Government Communication Consultant - UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs.
Traditional media must not be ignored, communicators simply need to select their audience & engage in an appropriate tone, she said. Speed, self-evaluation and positivity are also crucial to maintain the momentum of government communications. More strategic communication, with clear and concise goals, required to effectively communicate with public, she added.
Traditional media must not be ignored, communicators simply need to select their audience & engage in an appropriate tone - Yomna Kamel— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
1:05pm 'No right answers in politics'
“In politics there are no right answers, just limited choices between less wrong ones,” said General Sir Richard Shirreff, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of Nato. However, at every level and every stage of military operations, communication must be ‘people centric’ and should be trustworthy, he added.
Sir Richard Shirreff: In politics there are no right answers, just limited choices between less wrong ones. #NATO #IGCF15— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
Sir Richard Shirreff: #NATO moral depends upon a nobel objective and a belief in the ability to achieve it. #IGCF15 pic.twitter.com/XKAakfhiMJ— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
Sir Richard Shirreff: Communication at the heart of today's military strategy. #ICGF15— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
12:30pm
Jose Manuel Barroso, Portugal who was the former president of the European Commission, said that disclosing the problems that a government is facing is better than hiding it from the people. The most basic rule in government communication or any communication is truth, he said.
.@JMDBarroso: Access to 24 hour news, and the complexity of issues, poses greatest pressure to today's government communications. #IGCF15— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
.@JMDBarroso: EU governments must engage in social media & new methods of communication to avoid public alienation. #IGCF15— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
12:05pm
#IGCF15 is attracting participants from different sections of the UAE society. UAE University has tweeted a picture of their students at the forum
طلبة جامعة الإمارات يشاركون في حضور #منتدى_الاتصال_الحكومي 2015 في الشارقة UAEU students in #igcf15 in Sharjah pic.twitter.com/alBPvuXYAs
— أخبار جامعة الإمارات (@UAEU_NEWS) February 22, 2015
11:55am
Media crucial in fight against Daesh: Faisal Al Fayez
Faisal Al Fayez, First Deputy Speaker of the Jordanian Senate Council at IGCF15 :
Sectarianism and the lack of a culture of democracy in Arab countries are main factors in the Arab Spring.
On the role of the government in the media he said the government must not interfere in the media, but must establish direct communication with the public itself. In the long term, a media strategy, not a military campaign, will be crucial to combating Daesh, he added.
“Governments have to be honest, transparent and must not interfere with the media and the press because it creates lack of confidence in officials. Political reform should be gradual, planned and must not happen fast,” he said.
HE Faisal Al Fayez: In the long term, a media strategy, not a military campaign, will be crucial to combating #ISIS. #IGCF15— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
HE Faisal Al Fayez: The government must not interfere in the media, but must establish direct communication with the public itself. #IGCF15— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
11:20am
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah addresses the forum. Excerpts:
Government communication starts from the power establishment and goes down to the people, but the direct line radio show starts from the people and goes up to the officials on power.
Public communication represented by the direct line radio show includes informing citizens of the work and services provided by government departments for the public.
The radio show also informs the public of the government decisions and decrees issued.
#Sharjah_Ruler: Public communication serves to establish an important dialogue between civil society & government. #IGCF15— Gulf News (@gulf_news) February 22, 2015
#Sharjah_Ruler: Communication encourages all citizens to contribute to public life & to participate in government initiatives. #IGCF15— Gulf News (@gulf_news) February 22, 2015
11:07am
'Change the style of communication'
Dismantle top-down centralised communication style of governments; the age of one-way communication is over, Lebanese president tells the International Government Communication Forum.
Communication is a culture and not just a process.
Shadow governments, student and civil movements, social media users are all part of the communication mix now. Government officials can't afford not to take the lead in the communication process, or others with extremist views will.
The first panel of #IGCF15, "The Future of Government Communication", begins, as @BowenBBC moderates the discussion. pic.twitter.com/xylOTaUmdz— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
10:55am
Government should counter the hate propaganda
Individuals are being pressured to take sides under the influence of extremist propaganda and ideology - that's why states should counter the hate propaganda by engaging in effective communication with the public, Lebanese president Michel Suleiman said.
10:46am
Sharjah Media Centre Chairman Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi noted that social media and mobiles have made everyone a 'roaming reporter' - and governments cannot ignore the public.
Sultan Bin Ahmad: Transparency & strategic communication is essential for the future of effective governance. #IGCF15— @SharjahMedia (@sharjahmedia) February 22, 2015
10:40am
Forum opens in Sharjah
Fourth International Government Communication Forum opens in Sharjah.
