Sharjah Media Centre Gears up to Host International Government Communication Forum 2014

Sharjah-UAE: January 5, 2014 - Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) has commenced preparations to organize the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2014), which will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. IGCF 2014 will run in February at the Expo Centre Sharjah.

IGCF 2014 will bring together on one platform world leaders, political figures, media, academicians and thought leaders, in addition to a sizeable number of professionals from government communication departments in the UAE and from across the globe. The event will highlight the positive impact of government communications through a series of plenary discussions, local and global case studies and workshops. Reiterating its vision and mission, the forum will seek to develop a reliable platform for dialogue and offer insights on best practices in government communication followed internationally in order to enhance government performance and methods of communication between governments and the public.

Speaking about the plans for this year's forum, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Centre, said: "We have drawn upon our successful experience in hosting last year's forum to finalize content, sessions, speakers and guests as well as in planning and logistics. We are working hard to improve all aspects of IGCF 2014 given the fact that the forum has achieved a global status since last year. This places an even greater responsibility on us in ensuring that we put together an event that is impactful, relevant and worthy of the reputation of Sharjah and the UAE. "

He added: "Government Communication is no longer a secondary activity or an afterthought that is adopted by government entities if it suits them. It has become a key driver in enhancing relationships between governments and their audiences. The global geopolitical and socioeconomic changes that have impacted the region in the past few years have triggered different social, political and public reactions. Governments have realized the value of establishing an effective communication strategy that ensures accuracy and transparency in conveying their messages to their audiences."

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi pointed out that the upcoming forum has evolved from the 2013 edition, which focused on regional aspects whereas the Sharjah International Government Communication Forum 2014 will seek to address more macro topics. The SMC's challenge in hosting this year's event was to include issues that would be relevant to the Arab world while also adding value to the international community.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi reiterated the special attention and valuable contributions that His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi gives the forum and the selection of the speakers.

The first IGCF event was organised by the Sharjah Media Centre in 2012. The regional forum discussed relevant communication challenges that were triggered by the socio-political occurrences in the Arab world. IGCF 2014 is a first-of-its-kind event that articulates the SMC's efforts to develop government communication mechanisms for the benefit of government institutions in the UAE and the wider region.