IGCF 2016 Sessions to Examine Pioneering Themes of Building Knowledge, Confronting Extremism and Crisis Management

The upcoming edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2016) will stay relevant and keep pace with regional and global developments through dedicating sessions to four key themes, political, social, human and cultural. Several prominent public-sector officials, government experts and global communication specialists will helm these sessions.

In line with the vision and directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the International Government Communication Forum 2016 is set to run from 20-21 March at the Expo Centre Sharjah.

The first session on day one, to be moderated by Mayssoun Azzam, Media Personality at Al Arabiya News Channel, will be dedicated to examining the role of government communication in education and building knowledge societies. This is to reiterate the significant role played by education and its development mechanisms as important pillars of a nation’s progress. Education is the basic component of human capital and constitutes the most vital asset of countries that are keen to develop a knowledge-based economy.

Exploring the potential of government communication in shaping educational policies that are linked to development requirements, the session will highlight global best practices in leveraging government communication to achieve educational reform in institutions across the world.

Titled ‘Confronting Extremism: Government Communication and the Creation of a Humanist Culture’, session two on day one, to be moderated by Mohannad Al Khatib, Media Personality at Sky News Arabia, will examine ways of combating violence and extremism through government communication. The session will also identify ways of presenting the true picture of Islam as a religion of moderation and respect for human rights and responsibilities as opposed to one that promotes intolerance and hatred.

In addition, the session will touch upon how government communication can target young people with intensive media and awareness campaigns to help them deal with intellectual, social and ideological propaganda that feeds and fuels extremism. Unless effectively curtailed, such propaganda can lead to deadly acts of terror across the world and threaten national, cultural, social and economic security.

On day two, participants of the International Government Communication Forum will debate ‘Natural and Humanitarian Disasters - From Crisis Management to Strategic Communication’, to be moderated by Hamed bin Karam, Media Personality at Sama Dubai. This segment will shed light on the experience of government communication departments in dealing with natural and humanitarian crises and their physical and psychological impact on the public. The session will also touch upon the utility, effectiveness, and future credibility of government communication agencies in influencing the public.

The session will further examine the role of government communication in creating procedural and psychological preparedness among the public, even before the advent of crises, as well as in briefing the public about the steps taken in the aftermath of a crisis. Furthermore, it will highlight the importance of government communication as a tool for persuading the public to coordinate with authorities and voluntary organisations in evacuating people affected by a disaster and providing assistance where needed.

Session two on day two, to be moderated by Faisal bin Huraiz, Media Personality at Sky News Arabia, will address the theme ‘Government Communication and Protection of the Social Structure’, focusing on the experiences of societies in seamlessly blending tradition with modernity. The session will highlight the role of government communication in protecting and preserving family values and bonds, keeping the national heritage alive, and strengthening the sense of belonging in society.

The session will also explore how government communication can protect the concept of identity among a nation’s youth, while combating divisiveness and disconnect. It will reiterate the government’s role in ensuring respect for the diversity of identities and cultures, as well as in facilitating a sustained media discourse on the importance of cultural identity.

The first of its kind in the Arab region, the International Government Communication Forum is an important global event that convenes decision-makers, experts and stakeholders in government communication from around the world. It is a transparent platform for raising important issues and discussing communication-specific trends in order to develop recommendations and resolutions that can help governments and people involved in the field of government communication to enhance their performance and scope of work. The forum seeks to achieve greater convergence in the relationship between governments and the public to ensure sustainable development.

Source:WAM