Building on human capital paramount to any strategy
Government communications should aim at enhancing the human capital and boosting relations and values that help develop nations, Shaikh Sultan Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Head of Sharjah Media Office, said in his opening speech at the 10th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) at Sharjah’s Expo Centre yesterday.
Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the post-pandemic edition of the IGCF got going under the theme ‘Historic lessons, Future ambitions.’
Speaking at the inaugural session, Shaikh Sultan said, under the wise leadership of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the emirate has always been putting human capital first and foremost in its agenda and moves forward in building the intellectual capabilities of its human capital.
He said the two-day forum envisions the future of government communications and will review mechanisms, tools and changes in public perceptions.
Prime objective
Guest of Honour of this edition of IGCF, Prince Turki Al Faisal, founder and trustee of King Faisal Foundation and chairman of the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies in Saudi Arabia, said protection and prosperity of the people should always be the objective of governments and their communication.
“We need to learn from the past and move towards the public benefit of humanity. Public good should be the objective of government communication,” he said.
Prince Turki called for a change in and reshaping of the current international order for governments to face the new realities of the world. Calling for enhanced collaborations between the Arab League and the GCC Council to boost regional security, he said: “We will never be taken seriously unless we take ourselves seriously.”
Ahmad Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the Arab League, welcomed Prince Turki’s suggestions to improve unity in the region threatened by many risks and interventions by superpowers and regional powers.
He pointed out that a major part of the problems faced in the region and elsewhere resulted from unhealthy relationships between the governments and people. “No development process can be implemented without a well aware and fully informed people,” he said.