The International Government Communication Forum | Events | International Government Communication Centre

Agenda - 2017

Day One
Day Two
Workshops
Interactive Sessions

مارس 22, 2017

Time Agenda
08:00 – 15:30

Registration

09:00 – 10:00

Opening Ceremony

MC: Hassan Yaqoub Al-Mansouri, Director of Sharjah Radio-Sharjah Media Corporation
09:00 – 09:45

First Session - Communication for Development (C4D) and Community Partnership

In the context of the efforts exerted by the United Nations and the international community to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and overcome the challenges facing developing and emerging nations, government communication today is gaining importance as a vital development tool. Efficient and modern government communication helps inform all social segments and stakeholders about the importance of partnership with the government to ensure that public policies, government programmes, and strategic plans are effectively implemented and championed by all sectors of society.

Speakers
Moderator
11:00 – 11:30

Conversation Panel with VP Al Gore: Climate Change…are there real solutions?

Topic Background:

In 1972, the United Nations launched the United Nations Environment Programme that aimed to lead international efforts to protect the environment and curb climate change. The launch of the programme was preceded by a set of international agreements focused on protecting the environment, reducing pollution and mitigating the impact of global warming, as well as agreements related to the preservation of plants and animals in their natural state, among others.

Speaker
  • Albert Gore ( Al Gore) Albert Gore ( Al Gore) Vice President of the United States ( 1993-2001) Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project United States
Moderator
11:30 – 12:30

Second Session- The Public and Private Sectors: Real Partnership towards Sustainable Development

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require all government and private organisations and institutions to cooperate, be responsible and coordinate with one another to help overcome social and economic challenges in many countries.

Speakers
Moderator
13:00 – 14:30

Lunch Break
14:30 – 15:30

Third Session - Environment and Climate Change in Media Policies

Climate change is a hot topic globally. The United Nations has urged the international community to deal with this issue in a responsible manner, warning of consequences if it is left out or not given the attention it deserves. Also, sustainable development has become a pressing issue since it is directly connected to human existence and to future health and well-being.

Speakers
Moderator
  • Mark Schapiro Mark Schapiro an author and an award-winning journalist, specializing in international environmental stories United States
20:00 – 22:00

Ceremony to honour winners of Sharjah Government Communication Award 2017

مارس 23, 2017

Time Agenda
11:00 – 12:00

Second Session - Government Communication And Development Goals In The Arab World

The Arab world is seeking to become a partner in development and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals despite the enormous challenges it faces today, such as wars and conflicts, not to mention social, environmental, healthcare and educational crises.

Speakers
  • Dr. Adah Almutairi Dr. Adah Almutairi Scholar, inventor, and an entrepreneur, Associate Professor and Co-Director Center of Excellence in Nanomedicine and Engineering-University of California,San Diego, United States
  • Mrs. Hanan Al Hroub Mrs. Hanan Al Hroub Winner of Global Teacher Prize 2016
  • Mishal Kanoo Mishal Kanoo Chairman of The Kanoo Group United Arab Emirates
Moderator
12:00 – 13:30

Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:00

Third Session : Impact of Conflicts and Refugees on Arab Development, in cooperation with “The Big Heart Foundation”

Session Topic:

The session will discuss the role of non-profit organisations in supporting sustainable development, the state of partnership between these organisations regionally and globally, the official response to these organisations in terms of facilitating their mission and providing logistical support, and the role of women in fighting extremism and terrorism. General focus will be on the refugees’ issue, especially women and children refugees.

Speakers
  • Mariam Farag Mariam Farag Group CSR Manager at MBC Group Egypt
  • Khaled Khalifa Khaled Khalifa Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to the States of the Gulf Cooperation Council Netherlands
  • Petr Kostohryz Petr Kostohryz Petr Kostohryz Czech Republic
  • Tamara Saeb Tamara Saeb Head of Communications, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, UAE Canada
Moderator
20:00 – 22:30

Closing Ceremony of IGCF and Announcement of Recommendations

Closing Ceremony of IGCF and Announcement of Recommendations
08:00 – 15:30

Registration
09:00 – 11:00

Inauguration of Day Two

MC: Abdel Salam Al-Hammadi, Media Personality, Sharjah Media
09:00 – 10:15

First Session - Role of Social Media Platforms - From Participation to Real Partnership

With all social segments widely active in the social media sphere, a unique opportunity has emerged for governments to communicate with their citizens and reach out to them much more effectively and quickly than was possible in the past. Social media have become the perfect platforms for various segments of the society to interact and express their opinions on different matters of importance.

Speakers
  • Saeed Saleh Al Remeithi Saeed Saleh Al Remeithi Member of the Federal National Council-Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
  • Dr. Nicholas Christakis Dr. Nicholas Christakis Sociologist and Physician, Director of Human Nature Lab- Yale University United States
  • Ediola Pashollari Ediola Pashollari Secretary General of the World Assembly of Youth (WAY) and Director of World Youth Institute (WYI) Albania
  • Ashraf Zeitoon Ashraf Zeitoon Founding Partner and Chief Innovation officer-Diplomacy Labs Jordan
Moderator
10:15 – 11:00

Keynote Speeches

Speakers

فبراير 22, 2017

Time Agenda
22:00 – 12:00

Closed Interactive Dialogue for members of Sharjah Executive Council

Guest Speaker:
  • H.E. Alexander Stubb, Prime Minister of Finland (2014-2015), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2008-2011) and Member of the Finnish Parliament
09:00 – 17:00

Day 1: Special Workshop-Sharjah Press Club-Writing and Reporting News-In line with Thomson Reuters methodology-Day One-Facilitated by Thomson Reuters Foundation

Trainers:
  • Mathieu Robbins, Training Consultant, Thomson Reuters Foundation
  • Saad Hattar, Training Consultant, Thomson Reuters Foundation
09:00 – 15:00

Day 1 - “Global Media Trends in Covering the Progress of Sustainable Development Goals”- Facilitated by United Nations Foundation

Trainer: Naglaa El-Emary, Journalist, Media Consultant, and Trainer, Thomson Reuters Foundation

Special Workshop for Journalists and News Editors in Government Entities

About the Session:

On the margins of the International Government Communication Forum, the United Nations Foundation is hosting a workshop to train Journalists and News Editors in Government entities, on insight and best-practices on communicating, reporting, and discussing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The media workshop will provide the participants with the necessary tools and resources to effectively report and raise awareness on the SDGs and sustainability issues across sectors.

09:00 – 11:00

Day 2: Special Workshop for members of GCN, Sharjah -Special workshop for members of Government Communication Network (GCN) in Sharjah- Facilitated by LinkedIn

Trainer: Daoud Abu Qasheh, Government and Public Sector Key Accounts Director, LinkedIn
09:00 – 15:00

Day 2: Special Workshop for Government Communication Practitioners - International Best Practices in Communicating Sustainable Development Goals- In cooperation with the United Nations Foundation

Trainer: Naglaa El-Emary, Journalist, Media Consultant, and Trainer, Thomson Reuters Foundation

Special Workshop for Government Communication Practitioners

About the Workshop

On the margins of the International Government Communication Forum, the United Nations Foundation is hosting a workshop to train government communication practitioners on insight and best-practices on communicating, reporting, and discussing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This customised workshop will provide the participants with the necessary tools and resources to effectively communicate and raise awareness on the SDGs and sustainability issues across sectors.

09:00 – 17:00

Day 2: Special Workshop-Sharjah Press Club-Writing and Reporting News-In line with Thomson Reuters methodology-Day Two-Facilitated by Thomson Reuters Foundation

Trainers:
  • Mathieu Robbins, Training Consultant, Thomson Reuters Foundation
  • Saad Hattar, Training Consultant, Thomson Reuters Foundation

مارس 21, 2017

Time Agenda
09:00 – 10:00

Day 1: Interactive Session-Interactive Dialogue with the International Renowned Journalist Kelvin O'Shea-Sharjah Press Club

An engaging session with Kelvin O’Shea, an award-winning journalist who has been working in the field since 1976. Kelvin will share his experiences and will shed light on the importance of journalism in general.
Speakers:
13:30 – 14:30

Day 1: Interactive Session-Interactive Dialogue with GCA Ambassadors-Sharjah Government Communication Award Stand

Trainer:
Moderator:
12:00 – 13:30

Day 1- Youth Circle-in cooperation with Emirates Youth Council titled “The role of government communication in motivating youth to participate in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”

About Youth Circles:

Youth circles provide a platform to carefully examine issues that concern the youth - their aspirations, recommendations, ideas, and challenges - and identify creative solutions to these issues.

Moderator
Facilitator:
11:00 – 12:00

Day 2: Interactive Session Sharjah Press Club-An Interactive Dialogue Session titled “The Need for Press Clubs”

An engaging dialogue with Emirati media experts about the importance of having press clubs.
13:00 – 15:00

Day 2: Interactive Side Session- A Dialogue Session titled “Youth Energy”

Session brief: The UAE has excelled globally in the number of initiatives which support and empower the youth. We believe that the youth are the present and the future. Every nation that prioritises its future must play its role in developing the youth’s capacities. The youth, for their part, should play their own role in adopting the steps taken by the country. Sports is significant in maintaining the health of youngsters. It nurtures the spirit of competition and winning which can reflect positively on the society. This Youth Energy circle will shed light on distinguished youth experiences that can become a role model for our youngsters.
Speakers:
Moderator:
13:30 – 15:30

Day 2- A special interactive session for Sharjah Children Shura Council-in cooperation with Sharjah Children Centers

About the Session:

In line with the efforts of the leadership in the Emirate of Sharjah and the United Arab Emirates to enable young people and children to lead the future of the country and face any potential challenges, the current edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017) is hosting a special session on the side-lines of the event for the members of the Sharjah Children Shura Council. The interactive session aims to inform the young members of the Shura Council about the current challenges facing the world and the vital need to participate in and support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that 193 countries across the world have officially agreed to achieve by 2030.

14:00 – 15:00

Day 2: Closed Round Table Discussion-Closed session for the top leading government figures in Sharjah titled “Country and City Global Reputation and its Impact on Economy”-Facilitated by BBC Worldwide

Facilitator: Richard Pattinson, Senior VP, Content-BBC Advertising, StoryWorks

Events held on the sidelines of the International Government Communication Forum:

The Interactive Platform:

In line with its efforts to provide entertainment services and reflect Sharjah’s spirit of hospitality during the International Government Communication Forum, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) will provide a number of services along the forum’s activities, such as offering pancakes, coffee machines that can print photos and words on coffee, water walls lighting, 360 degree videos that highlight most important events in Sharjah, and a photography platform which is equipped with the UN backgrounds and slogans and which produces instant photos and can connect to social media platforms.

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