Citizen is the means and objective to prosperity
sharjah — The importance of government communication in achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the GCC region was the main theme of a top panel at the first session of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017).
Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, GCC Secretary-General, said: “We can be proud of our sustainable development efforts in the GCC region... We have transcended from the mere conveyance of information, and all stakeholders are aware of the comprehensive collaboration we believe in. We need clear vision and leadership from the leaders of the GCC countries to create this enabling environment. We want prosperity, and our means and objective is the citizen.”
Najla bint Mohammed Al Awar, Minister of Community Development, said: “Government communication has diverse channels for positive change and community development. All the initiatives we have launched as a ministry or government — including social media, councils, field visits and forums such as this one — have been a result of government communication.”
She added: “The purpose of all these is to address the needs of society and the concerns of citizens. The government that only gives but does not receive lives in isolation and will never achieve development. True development occurs when the government listens to society and hears what it has to say, and this is why, since my appointment, we have created new channels for society to communicate. Our leadership has mandated us as ministers to go into the field and listen to the people.”