Future and challenges of digital communications at IGCF

Key Middle East players in the communications world beat a path to Sharjah for the International Government Communications Forum where Thomson Foundation was the chosen training partner.

Under the title “Specific Actions Better Results” hundreds of communications specialists came together for the fourth IGCF to have been hosted in Sharjah.

Thomson Foundation’s key trainers delivered workshops and presentations during the high-profile event in the Arab emirate.

The first workshop – ‘Communicating complex issues to a sceptic audience – case of the EU budget 2014-2020’ – was led by Ron Korver, Head of the Service for Science and Economy at the Press Unit of the European Parliament. The second workshop, titled ‘Digital communications – future and challenges’, was hosted by crisis communications specialist, Donald Steel.

Transparency and strategic communication is essential for the future of effective governance.

Thomson Foundation’s key trainers delivered workshops and presentations during the high-profile event in the Arab emirate

In addition to the workshops, Thomson Foundation held two interactive lectures. The first, titled ‘Crisis communications in the digital age’, was led by communications consultant Nigel Kay while the second lecture, titled ‘Case study of BP and the Deepwater Horizon disaster’, was hosted by communications consultant Mark Webster. 
 
The workshops and interactive lectures were re-run on the second day to provide a larger audience with the opportunity to benefit from the specialised sessions.

The conference was opened by the ruler of Sharjah HH Sheikh Sultan Dr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi who said improving communication helps to drive government policy and shape public opinion.

“There is by and large an acknowledgement of the crucial role that government communication plays in shaping a sustained dialogue between government organisations and the communities they serve,” he said.

In his speech he also thanked all of the partners for their contribution to the conference including the Thomson Foundation as official training partner.

Mark Webster, one of the Thomson Foundation trainers said: “I was very impressed with the quality of the conference and the commitment of those who attended the training sessions. There is a growing recognition of the important part good communications can play in engaging and informing people in the region.”

International Government Communications Forum

The event witnesses the convergence of local, regional and global media experts along with government thought leaders from all over the world in the emirate of Sharjah.

For more information on the forum, visit sgci.ae/

All images courtesy of Sharjah Media Centre