Shaikh Sultan to open GCF today

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, ?will inaugurate the first Government Communication Forum (GCF) today. The event aims to develop government communication mechanisms in the region and offer a new direction to government communication. The forum also seeks to change any misperception about government communication and promote a disciplined culture that is consistent, clear and cohesive across all channels. Organised by the Sharjah Media Centre, the event that begins today will run until Monday at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The forum is set to draw more than 600 eminent politicians and regional and international media experts from top-tier organisations. Additionally, representatives from various government agencies in the UAE will also attend the event. Former prime minister of Malaysia Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will deliver the keynote address highlighting the successful international government communication practices that Malaysia adopted to fast-track its progress. Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Corporation, said: “As the communication arm of Sharjah, the Sharjah Media Centre seeks to develop a shared institutional communication system for various government and media institutions in addition to facilitating the adoption of best practices. The inaugural forum has been carefully designed to meet this overarching aim. Government Communications Forum will host eight sessions and two workshops featuring discussions that expedite the development and adoption of best practices in government communication.” The panel discussions at the forum will examine issues such as ‘Coordination Strategies of Communication Efforts Among Government Institutions’, ‘Management of Risks and Crises in Governmental Media Communications’ and ‘Future of Digital Media in the Government Sector’. The sessions will also highlight case studies of governmental awareness campaigns in the US and the UK, besides showcasing Turkey and Malaysia’s ‘Experience in Developing the Government Media Sector’. Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi added: “The idea of the forum took root from our observations and discussions with various media organisations in Sharjah. It was crystallised and shaped by the Sharjah Media Centre, which was launched to act as a bridge between media personnel in government departments as well as media organisations in Sharjah and the UAE.” Among the most acclaimed Emirati participants in the forum is renowned media person Ahmad Salem bu Samnoh, member of the Board of Directors of Sharjah Media Corporation. He holds extensive experience across multiple media verticals and is known for his incisive contributions to various media outlets on the television and print platforms. Also participating at the event is Shaikh Sultan Sooud Al Qasimi, a prominent Twitter activist and a UAE-based columnist contributing to several local and international publications. Mohammed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director-General at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, is among the experts who will headline a session at the forum. Dr Hamad Al Hammady, Head of Government Communications at the Executive Council of Dubai, will also participate in a panel discussion. Dr Al Hammady manages cross-governmental communications for the Emirate of Dubai through an exclusive integrated communications management system that he conceptualised and established.