International Government Communication Forum launches a 360° campaign ‘Beyond Communication’

The front pages of leading English and Arabic dailies in the UAE today (Tuesday) were carrying an important message, the upcoming edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) is trying to convey through a 360° social awareness campaign, “Beyond Communication”. In the lead up to the ninth edition of the global forum on March 4 – 5, the campaign seeks to turn the nation’s attention to key themes that will underline discussions 64 regional and global political and media figures will lead at the two-day forum, to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Beyond Communication is highlighting the importance of effective and innovation-driven government communication in ensuring the success of government policies and programmes, in establishing a strong citizen – government relationship based on trust and accountability, and in facilitating better collaboration and engagement between the two parties. The campaign advocates that good governance in communications raises efficiencies across public and private entities, and stresses on the need for transforming communications into a progressive and inclusive culture of dialogue exchange between entities and their target audiences. 

The newspaper campaign’s unusual title ‘This is not an important announcement’, was an immediate hook for a series of messages that followed, which put the spotlight the most prominent present-day government communication challenges. Through a compilation of stories that presented half-truths or mixed messages, forum’s organising body, International Government Communication Centre (IGCC), aimed to convey that communication that does not follow good governance protocols may confuse or mislead the public.

The print campaign leads readers to a social platform (IGCC official website), which features a recorded speech by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman, Sharjah Media Council (SMC), who emphasises the need to approach communications as constantly-evolving and participatory culture, especially in the age of technology and the internet, everyone who has access can influence and shape public opinion. The website offers public an open space to exchange, interact and share their experiences.

IGCC, a subsidiary of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), has expressed deep appreciation to local news outlets for their  cooperation in embracing campaigns that seek to benefit local institutions and the public, asserting that the UAE media has upheld its vital historical role in enabling the nation to develop its various sectors and attain vital goals, which continually place the UAE on the top of global indicators of growth.