IGCF seeks to boost cultural assimilation
SHARJAH: Curtains came down on the ninth edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), on Thursday, after 64 global thinkers and communications experts cutting across a spectrum of interests deliberated on the rapidly changing global communication landscape, and outlined a carefully designed way forward to make communication channels between governments and communities more effective and efficient.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the region’s leading forum on government communication turned the spotlight on staying ahead of emerging technology disruptions and promoting stronger engagement amongst all stakeholders.
Organised by International Government Communication Centre (IGCC), a Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) subsidiary, the 2020 edition of IGCF focused on four key pillars: ‘Embedding a culture of engagement in government’, ‘Technology as a community enabler’, ‘Communication through culture’, and ‘Holistic well-being’.
With 10 keynote speeches by global leaders, and an extensive agenda of 57 leading events including panel discussions, workshops, forums, and 20 interactive platforms, the high-profile two-day global summit touched upon all aspects of the vital role of innovatively designed communication strategies and highlighted best practices. Speakers at the event also included international media and PR stalwarts, policy experts, social entrepreneurs, and communications and technology experts from 16 nations worldwide.
In the presence of Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council (SMC), heads of various Sharjah government entities, speakers, sponsors and partners of the forum, jaw a her Al Naqbi, Manager of Government Communication Forum at Sharjah Media Centre, announced the list of recommendations that emerged at the end of the two-day forum that would contribute to good governance.
IGCF 2020 recommends greater cross-cultural communication; introduces two new categories in the seventh edition of Sharjah Government Communication Award
To ensure good governance and foster greater cross-cultural understanding, the ninth edition of IGCF has put forth a list of 19 recommendations to improve government communication strategies at the local, regional and international levels; to harness the power of communication for crisis management; and to integrate modern communication technology for effective implementation of policies benefiting its stakeholders.