SHARJAH – Renowned experts and professionals from different parts of the world have arrived here to participate in the eighth edition of the two-day International Government Communication Forum (IGCF-2019) from Wednesday, and share their knowledge for human resource development, using different tools.
Member United Arab Emirates (UAE) Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and Chairman Sharjah Media Council Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi would address the opening session of the conference, which is a unique platform in the region that brings together global government communication experts to explore best practices in the field.
This year, the summit is being held under the theme of “Behavioural Change Towards Human Development” (March 20 & 21) with an aim to discuss various topics related to the role of government communication in motivating individuals to play a key role in the development process.
“We live in a time when the responsibility for overcoming development challenges does not solely lie with governments; it is now a shared responsibility with citizens and strategic partners, particularly media,” the conference organizers believed.
Since its establishment in 2012, the forum has redefined the communication landscape in the Arab world and internationally with its path-breaking discussions and recommendations that have tangibly impacted communication policies at the regional and international levels.
The last seven editions have been attended by as many as 34, 310 people including participants, speakers and media persons.
The eight edition, started, is scheduled to be attended by prominent speakers including Larry King, a renowned media personality, Dr Lamya Nawaf Fawwaz, Executive Director, Brand & Strategic Initiatives of Masdar city, Andrew Keen, an author and acclaimed speaker, Roger Fisk, Head of the political campaign, marketing and media strategist for ex US President Barack Obama, Andrew Wilson TV news anchor, Sheikh Sultan bin Sooud Al-Qassemi, a lecturer and researcher on social, political and cultural affairs in the GCC, Richard Williams (Prince Ea), a motivational speaker, Nabeel Al-Khatibs General Manager Al Arabiya and Al Hadath TV Channels, Rene Carayol, Global Speaker on Inspirational Leadership and Culture, Rabee Zureikat, Founder of the “Zikra” Initiative, one of the most important initiatives in Communities Exchange Programmes in Jordan, and Global Awards Winner, Zeina Yazigi, media person, Dr Abdullah Al-Maghlouth, Ministry of Media Spokesman, Director- General of the Centre for Government Communication, Saudia Arabia, Sir Craig Oliver, Director of Politics and Communications for the former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Muntaha Al Ramahi, TV Anchor, Tariq Saeed Allay Director, Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Professor Hamid AlNaimiy, Chancellor, University of Sharjah, Mohammad Al Mannaei Media personality, Dubai TV, Saeed Mohammad Al Eter Director General of the Public Diplomacy Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Future and Secretary-General of the UAE Soft Power Council, Michelle Gielan, an Expert and a Researcher in Positive Psychology, and the Author of the best-selling book “ Broadcasting Happiness”, Mayssoun Azzam, Senior TV Presenter, Al Arabiya, Suzanne Afanah, Founder and Managing Partner at Advvise, Media and Communication Expert and Award-Winning Journalist, Marc Prensky, an Author, Consultant, and Innovator in the field of education-Founder of a non-for-profit organisation “Global Education for Future”, Graham Brown-Martin, an Author, an Expert in Education and Future of Work, and Founder of the global movement “Learning Without Frontiers” (LWF), Hussain Mohammed Al Mahmoudi, CEO, the American University of Sharjah Enterprises (AUSE) and CEO of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), Dr Ali Al Marri, Executive President, Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, Dr Abdullatif AlShamsi, Vice Chancellor, Higher Colleges of Technology, Dr Adiy Tweissi, Assistant Professor and Director of E-Learning Centre, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan, Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council, Leanne Jones, Business Presenter, Sky News Australia, Dr David Katz, a clinician, a researcher, an author, an inventor, and a journalist, Meik Wiking, CEO, the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, Dr Hanan Selim, PharmD, Healthpreneur, CEO and Founder of “Healology”, Reem Binkaram, Director, Nama Women Advancement Establishment, Dr Nawal Al-Hosany, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Noaf Tahlak, Senior Advisor to Secretary General of The UAE Cabinet, Salha Ghabish, General Director of Media and Cultural department in the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, Rania Rizk, Senior Vice President & General Counsel PepsiCo, Asia, Middle East & North Africa and Monia Barnat, Media Personality Sharjah TV.
