Sharjah Media Centre has unveiled the agenda for the upcoming International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), to be held in the emirate next month.

Under the theme ‘Specific Actions….Better Results,’ it will take place on February 22 and 23 under the patronage of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

IGCF 2015 is set to host some of the most prominent leaders and decision makers from around the world, including President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia; Julia Gillard, 27th Prime Minister of Australia; Lakhdar Brahimi, United Nations Diplomat; Jose Manuel Barroso, 11th President of the European Commission and Prime Minister of Portugal.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, chairman of Sharjah Media Centre, also unveiled  the centre’s strategic plans for 2015, which will be based on three main axes - ‘Development & Empowerment’, ‘Research’ and ‘Documentation’.

He said the centre’s plan for the year ahead is based on providing knowledge resources and practical experiences that can be utilised for the development of government communication practices in the UAE and the region.

The centre’s strategic plan is based on three main axes, he stated.

The first axis -  ‘Development and Empowerment’ – will seek to give governments of the region access to best practices through cooperation with the federal government of the UAE and experts from governments around the world, as well as the American University in the UAE and the Emirates News Agency.

The second axis will focus on ‘Research’ to provide government communication practices with a series of scientific and academic researches in collaboration with some of the world’s most prestigious universities and specialised research centres.

The third axis, focusing on ‘Documentation’, will aim to create an easy-to-use online library for those interested in learning, researching or expanding their knowledge in the field of government communication to achieve further progress and excellence in overall government performance.

Highlighting the aspects of IGCF 2015, Sheikh Sultan said the prestigious event has been and will continue to serve as a transparent platform for discussing current pressing issues and outlining recommendations and decisions to help governments and workers in the field of government communication enhance their performance.

The forum will spare no effort in bringing the best local, regional and global expertise to achieve its goal, he added.

“We have heard and read a lot about the future of the relationship between governments and their people, but what we need today is  to make  carefully thought-out decisions so we can drive positive change with the participation of the people. This is what will be discussed during this year’s edition of the forum, where we will all look into the future of communication and determine what governments and their people need to do together as partners in order to reach a brighter future that we all aspire towards,” said Sheikh Sultan.

Osama Samra, director of SMC, said: "IGCF 2015 will discuss the immediate actions needed today to ensure a better relationship between the government and the public using effective and clear government communication mechanisms.

“The forum will leverage its sessions and case studies, and will host a group of global experts in the field of government communication to identify the actions required on the international and local levels to further activate the role of government communication.”

It will include session entitled ‘The future of government communication’; ‘Government communication departments: communication and dialogue platforms’; a case study entitled ‘The Spokesperson: between the reality and the future’; workshops in collaboration with Thomson Foundation entitled ‘Communicating complex issues to a sceptic audience - case of the EU budget 2014-2020’; ‘Digital communications - future and challenges.’ - TradeArabia News Service