Sharjah: More than 2,500 experts and influencers are expected to attend the International Government Communication Forum 2018 (IGCF) being held in Sharjah under the theme ‘Digital Millennium … Where To?’.
In keeping with its goals to pioneer best practices in government communications, the forum (IGCF) to be held on March 28-29 at Expo Centre Sharjah will focus on the contemporary challenges of government communication in the region and rest of the world and explore solutions which can enhance communications in the future. In doing so, the IGCF will draw a road map to improve general communications for a better world in which all nations can enjoy social justice, equality, prosperity and progress, according to a press statement issued on Wednesday.
Through the participation of an elite group of global influencers, including presidents, prime ministers, CEOs, technology leaders, academics and media experts, the IGCF is offering an essential and effective platform for government communication practitioners to discuss the state’s interaction with their communities.
Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), IGCF 2018 will be formally inaugurated by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, chairman of Sharjah Media Council (SMC), emphasised that IGCF 2018 looks forward to playing a vital role in identifying the potential of future government communication in the UAE and the wider world.
He emphasised that sharing experiences and interacting with such leading authorities and experts can bring new visions on how to ease the communication process between the governments and the public and offer unified key messages that are both clear and concise.
The chairman of the Sharjah Media Council noted that the forum’s focus on the digital millennium will highlight key social media channels and applications in government communication and their increasing role in overcoming the challenges posed by traditional communication channels.
The IGCF 2018 will include five main sessions and five side sessions in line with the theme of the seventh edition, ‘Digital Millennium … Where To?’, in addition to interactive dialogue with leading speakers and specialists in government communication. Besides, as part of the forum, dedicated workshops will be held to provide students and graduates of mass communication with the opportunity to gain valuable industry insights.
The main sessions are titled ‘Governments … Responsibilities and How They Fit in the Age of Digital Communities’; ‘Better Public Communication for a Better Country’; The Role of Government Communication’; ‘The Future of Digital Communication in the Digital Age’; and ‘The Current State of Government Communication and Building Flexible Strategies’.
Focus on women and youth
The IGCF, which was launched seven years ago, has increasingly focused on women and young people and highlighted their essential roles in government communication across the world in general and in the UAE government in particular. The forum provides them with a platform where they can express visions on their participation in bringing about change and achieving ideal interaction between the government and the public.
