Risk-management key for nation development

The Kuwaiti Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah highlighted Wednesday the pivotal role of media in the State of Kuwait's risk-management strategy and process. "The level of a nation's development is gauged by their ability to manage crises and prepare solutions for them in advance," Sheikh Salman said in speech, read out on his behalf by the Information Ministry Undersecretary for Media Planning and Knowledge Development, Dr. Hela Al-Mekami, during the opening session of the Second Kuwait Media Crisis Management Conference which kicked off here Wednesday. "Media has become a pivotal player in the crisis-management process all over the world," the minister added. Sheikh Salman went on to say that "the fast developing communication technologies have expanded media arena to include what is known as 'the citizen journalism'". "The Ministry of Information has acted to regulate electronic media and journalism to help provide credible, professional and responsible services." Jamal Omran, head of the conference organizing committee, said the conferees will tackle a plethora of key-media and crisis management issues such as: the concept of crises and disasters and the role of media; development of media plans and strategies to face crises and emergencies; constraints of the media work during crises and emergencies; security, legal and legitimacy precautions; practical experiences and case studies; the role of modern communication technologies; and the management of social media outlets. He also expressed gratitude for the Ministry of Information's support to the conference. The two-day event will explore the strategies, mechanisms and arrangements that ought to be adopted in the event of a crisis. "Participants will learn how to employ all media tools in order to exit a crisis with the least possible damages or negative impacts," Omran said. The conference will also highlight the best manner to formulate clear media policies and strategies for each organization either private or public in order to be ready for action whenever needed. The conferees include top risk management, PR managers; journalists and media figures; business development and planning managers; local, regional and international crisis management organizations; risk managing officials at civil and military institutions and relief and rescue workers and organizations.