Agenda - 2018

Details

Fast-moving and evolving trends in digital technologies are leading to a radical change in citizen expectations. Governments are increasingly required to have greater capacity to understand and respond to complex and frequently competing issues, and to provide services that are both tailored to individuals’ needs and aligned with national priorities. Governments also need to attract and retain the talent needed for the data age. This need for data is quickly becoming a central theme that applies to all aspects of our evolving digital society.

Key Discussion Points

• How can governments manage tech multinationals who drive ICT? What laws are needed to regulate citizens’ digital footprints?
• What are the effective mechanisms for the development of digital governments?
• How can government communication fit in a multi-reference world?
• How can the private sector support digital governments?
• How can ICT companies support digital growth and transformation?

Details

At the outset of the 20th century, machine intelligence was a fantasy sought after by sci-fi authors and a handful of computer scientists. Today, however, artificial intelligence not only exists, but its applications can already be seen in our daily lives. While the private sector was the driving force behind this development revolution, the role of government in utilising AI to the greater good is still unclear – especially in the context of using this technology to engage with wider societies. Tanmay Bakshi is the world’s youngest AI expert and an IBM AI Champion, and through this session, he will aim to address a number of key questions about real-life applications of AI in relation to government communication.

Key Discussion Points

• How can governments use AI to develop effective government communication?
• What are the challenges currently facing the application of AI in the context of government communication, and what are the opportunities?
• How can governments develop young talent to support AI development?

Details

With the rapid generational shift to Millennials and Gen Z, governments, more than ever, need to implement immediate changes to their leadership structures (and government communication) to adapt to the digital millennia and the rise of virtual communities. As one of the UAE and GCC’s youngest (female) government leaders, H.E. Noura Al Kaabi will discuss the role young leadership plays in shaping governments to be future-ready.

Key Discussion Points

• How can government develop and equip youth to lead?
• How effective is the current government communication model in interacting with the youth?
• How can the youth support and shape government communication for the digital millennium?
• What are the challenges facing the current government communication framework (for interacting with the youth)? What are the opportunities?

Details

Many experts globally believe open data to be key to accelerated progress and sustainable innovation that is accessible to many. In reality, however, data monopolies by a limited number of companies mean that only those who can afford it can get access to key data. Sir Timothy Berners-Less is in a position to discuss the future of open data and the world wide web which he created and talk about what he aspired this tool to achieve, while addressing key rights, such as net neutrality, privacy, and openness of the internet.

Key Discussion Points

• What is the future of open data and how can governments use it for the greater good and driving progress?
• What is the future of digital identities and privacy in the face of rising digital communities?
• How can governments protect the internet from privatisation, and ensure transparency of use for citizen data?

Details

Today’s world is one of rapid innovations and development in the field of communication. However, many overlook the importance of building and developing infrastructure and services that enable and empower such innovations. As the UAE and the world approach the launch of 5G networks, this will pave the way for new technologies and innovations that were out of reach up until recently.

Key Discussion Points

• How important are infrastructures in creating an environment for innovation and creativity?
• How can wireless communication technologies (5G specifically) pave the way for more open and streamlined government communication with wider society?
• How can the public and private sectors work together to support and highlight youth innovation?

Details

The “Good Country Index” is one of the best international indexes that measure each country’s contribution to the common good of humanity, and what it takes away, relative to its size. It uses a wide range of data from the U.N. and other international organisations that include contributions to science and technology, culture, international peace and security, world order, planet and climate, prosperity and equality, and health and wellbeing. As many of these attributes are linked to societal engagement, Simon will discuss how government communication can be a force for good towards building a better country, in addition to talking about the ways governments can use communication to develop a strong national identity around the world.

Key Discussion Points

• How can government communication contribute towards building a “better country”?
• How can governments best use communication to build a global brand?
• How can governments elevate their communication strategies to encourage societal contribution in light of the advancements in digital communication?

Details

Alex Aiken is the Executive Director for Government Communications, UK. During this session, he will discuss current challenges facing government communication, and talk about future opportunities for communication in an age of hyper-connectivity using social media.

Key Discussion Points

• The current landscape of government communication and how to build flexible strategies.
• Future potential roadblocks facing government communication in view of the rise of digital communities.
• Developing technical competencies and skills and drawing from relevant success stories.

Details

The session will address the “era of exponential change” in light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Jason Silva will talk about achievements made by humanity throughout the ages, their impact on the present and how they continue to dramatically change the future at an unprecedented speed.
The speaker will also highlight paradoxes of technologies resulting from the human mind’s creativity and those inspired by other technologies.

Key Discussion Points

• Technological progress as the result of the human mind’s creativity
• The quick and impressive technological advances happening all around us
• Brain games
• Exponential disruptions, with the right point of view, are rapid chances

Details

The new government communication function will take significant steps towards adopting 21st century practices, creating a more skilled, less bureaucratic, more tech-enabled and unified government communication profession. Governments need to be better at using all communication channels, where digital interaction plays an increasingly important role. Press releases are not the only tool in the box. There are more diverse means of communication: with a growing role for faster responses and more visual comms through infographics. There is a real need for cross-government collaboration and for things to be done efficiently in-house. There is also a need for government entities to be able to deliver creative campaigns, rather than simply managing them. The world over, business models have changed, and government service delivery is also transforming.

Key Discussion Points

• How is technology (particularly modern communication technologies) redefining modern governments?
• What are the implications of AI and the 4IR for the future of governments and how they communicate with the public?
• What are the opportunities (and challenges) facing government communication in light of the generational shift and change in media consumption habits?

Details

Women play an essential role in developing many sectors, achieving growth and keeping up to date with the constant changes of the digital age, which has been empowering them. A number of distinguished female leaders have substantially contributed to developing digital media and other government communication sectors, while playing an important role in the enrichment of social media content and preservation of cultural and social privacy.

Key Discussion Points

• The role of female leadership in promoting integration and participation in shaping this new era using government communication
• Enabling women with the skills necessary to effectively play a key role in developing society in the face of rapid changes of the digital age
• The role of female leadership in developing social media while promoting a system of values and professional standards

Details

This session will cover skills that youth must acquire to succeed in the future. With the rapid changes happening around the world, thanks to Artificial Intelligence and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the youth might find themselves in a new world without a reference to what they should do to adapt to these changes. But as the digital millennium sets, many opportunities and communication tools now exist to help equip the youth with the new skills needed for this age.

Key Discussion Points

• What are the most important future skills the youth must possess and how do they impact society?
• How can the private sector (specifically technology companies) support governments in readying the youth for the new world?
• How can the youth support national agendas and what are the opportunities of using government communication to support this role?

• Announcement of recommendations

Zone: Sharjah Press Club

Zone: Sharjah Press Club

Details

This session sheds light on the essential role played by new media in serving humanitarian issues. The session will host representatives of various social networks and news channels, as well as journalists, to create a positive interactive dialogue.

Zone: Sharjah Press Club

Details

During this session, the Harvard Business Review team will discuss a number of topics included in the special issue of the magazine prepared for the Forum. The magazine’s editorial team will speak to students and attendees on the latest in communication technologies and how they are reshaping government communication.

Key Discussion Points

• Impact of the generational shift
• The latest in government communication systems and opportunities
• How AI and technology have affected communication and future trends

Zone: Interactive Platform 02

Zone: Interactive Platform 02

Zone: Interactive Platform 02

Zone: Interactive Platform 02

Zone: Sharjah Press Club Platform

Details

The session focuses on media charisma, how a media professional can make a positive impact, characteristics of a media personality and skills that must be found in a successful media professional.

Zone: Sharjah Children Centres Platform

Zone: Interactive Platform 01

Zone: Interactive Platform 01

Details

The workshop will share marketing success stories from government entities of all types from around the world. Participants will become familiar with the marketing toolbox and come to understand how these tools can be used to engender citizen support for your entity, increase utilisation of your products and services and influence positive public behaviours, while increasing revenues and decreasing operating costs. The workshop will offer roadmaps on how to gather citizen input and evaluate communication efforts. Simply put, this workshop will empower participants to build the “high-tech, high-touch” government entity of the future and deliver more value for their budget.

Key Discussion Points

• Lessons from international success stories
• Essentials of government communication skills and how to develop them in the face of the ever-changing digital landscape
• Challenges and opportunities facing government communication today

Zone: Interactive Platform 01

Details

H.E. Amb. Dr. Sa’ed Radaideh will launch his book “Governance from an Arabic Perspective” for the first time during the Forum. In his book, H.E. tackles the meaning of governance in the context of government and away from corporate governance (the original meaning of this term) and will tackle a number of key components of governance including participation, accountability, justice and fairness, the rule of law, transparency, productivity and efficiency.

Zone: Interactive Platform 01

Zone: Interactive Platform 01

Details

Around 50 students from Sharjah and the UAE will be invited to participate in this session to debate and discuss the increasingly important role the youth play in shaping the discussion agenda, and how the generational shift is changing media consumption habits.

Key Discussion Points

• Knowledge exchange between Millennials and Gen Z
• Future trends and how to prepare young leaders for a sustainable digital world and community development
• Growth and development of the youth community and using artificial intelligence for the creation of a sustainable future

Zone: Interactive Platform 02

Zone: Interactive Platform 01

Details

The workshop will share marketing success stories from government entities of all types around the world. Participants will become familiar with the marketing toolbox and come to understand how these tools can be used to engender citizen support for an entity, increase utilisation of its products and services and influence positive public behaviours, while increasing revenues and decreasing operating costs.

The workshop will offer roadmaps on how to gather citizen input and evaluate communication efforts. Simply put, this workshop will empower participants to build the “high-tech, high-touch” government entity of the future and deliver more value for their budget.

Key Discussion Points

• Lessons from international success stories
• Essentials of government communication skills and how to develop them in the face of the ever-changing digital landscape
• Challenges and opportunities facing government communication today

Zone: Interactive Platform 01

Zone: Interactive Platform 01

Details

During this session, Heath will discuss best global practices for inspiring citizens through government communication to achieve better societal engagement and positive change. He will discuss a unique, yet simple model built around a simple question, “why?”.

Key Discussion Points

• Is the current government communication framework suitable for how modern-day citizens consume media?
• How can governments use communication to elicit positive change and societal engagement?
• How does internal communication affect productivity in the public sector and how can government leaders inspire their teams?

Zone: Interactive Platform 01

Details

During this session, Dr. Mohammed will discuss the concept of digital diplomacy as a new form of diplomatic communication that is characterized as open, direct, and interactive. Digital diplomacy provides governments with important opportunities to reach global audiences using interactive multimedia messaging on policy, direction, and positions on local and global affairs.

Key Discussion Points

• Definition of Digital Diplomacy
• Digital Diplomacy frameworks in the face of constant changes in communication
• Case studies and success stories

Zone: Interactive Platform 01

Zone: Interactive Platform 02

Zone: Interactive Platform 02

Zone: Interactive Platform 02

Zone: Interactive Platform 02

Zone: Interactive Platform 02

Zone: Workshops 02

Details

This workshop will take a closer look at the role of youth engagement and how it impacts global development and government communication. Youth audiences have more tools than ever to be engaged and take action on issues that matter to them, and this workshop will explore how communicators and journalists can use best practices to reach these audiences.

Zone: Sharjah Children Centres Platform

Session one:

10:30 – 11:30

Session two:

12:30 – 13:30

Zone: Workshops 01

Organised by: Sharjah Press Club

Details

This two-day intensive workshop is designed to provide early career journalists with the necessary tools and sharpen their skills towards producing accurate and comprehensive stories, in accordance with Reuters professional guidelines. Practical exercises form the core of this programme, designed to spur the participants into improving their basic news-hunting and writing skills, with emphasis on accuracy, storytelling and structuring feature stories.

Zone: Workshops 02

Details

This workshop will take a closer look at effective digital engagement strategies in relation to global issues, discuss best practices for robust communication and journalism, and explore a landscape analysis of the current trajectory for digital communications.

Zone: Sharjah Youth Council Platform

Zone: Workshops 01

Organised by: Sharjah Press Club

Details

This two-day intensive workshop is designed to provide early career journalists with the necessary tools and sharpen their skills towards producing accurate and comprehensive stories, in accordance with Reuters professional guidelines. Practical exercises form the core of this programme, designed to spur the participants into improving their basic news-hunting and writing skills, with emphasis on accuracy, storytelling and structuring feature stories.