Fifth International Government Communication Forum to bring world leaders to Sharjah

SHARJAH // The fifth International Government Communication Forum will bring world leaders, legal experts specialising in government communication, public sector officials, communication professionals and journalists together this month.

The two-day event, which starts on March 21 at Sharjah Expo Centre, is a platform for discussion and exchange that will help governments improve their performance and the scope of their work.

Tariq Saeed Allay, director of Sharjah Media Centre, said the agenda of IGCF 2016, will involve debates on citizen perceptions of government communication and the critical role that plays in serving the people.

This year’s gathering will feature keynote speakers from 13 countries, with Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and chairman of the board of National Media Council, and Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, the two UAE speakers.

Internationally, the former president of Ireland and former United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Mary Robinson, will be attending, and Amal Clooney, the lawyer, human rights activist and wife of actor George Clooney, will speak.

The IGCF will address political and religious extremism that will highlight the role of government communication in promoting awareness to youth and educate them on dealing with intellectual, social and ideological messages that feed and fuel extremism.

A session about natural and humanitarian disasters will also be held and it will discuss the role of government in preparing the public.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the wife of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, will address a women-only session on ways to enhance women’s role in society to enable them to champion humanitarian issues.