SHARJAH — Delegates at an international conference in Sharjah explored how government communication touches different aspects of people's everyday life. Held under the theme ‘Citizens for Prosperity' the fifth International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) aims to build a platform for better communication between governments and their stakeholders towards creating a participatory dialogue. At the same time it hopes to develop government communication mechanisms for the benefit of government institutions in the UAE and the region. In his opening speech, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah said: "Observers of the experience of Sharjah — a small emirate with big experience — know that while we focus on scientific and technological advancement, it is always accompanied by moral and social development — the two facets of our progress. "We should not pursue advancement of today at the cost of tomorrow. This means being aware of the consequences [of development], such as environmental pollution. Pursuing development should not be at the expense of losing our principles and values. All leaders should understand and own the concept of responsibility and follow principles of sustainable development." The Ruler of Sharjah added: "We must be conscious of a clearer vision." Elaborating further, he said that while ‘advancement' is an old concept that has been associated with improving humanity through technological and scientific progress, the term has also been used as a threat to society, with the potential to even cause its demise. He cited the example of British colonialism, which has been associated with destruction alongside construction. The example of Hiroshima, he said, is a part and parcel of the so-called advancement. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre, said that today we notice greater awareness of the importance of government communication among the public, governments and other stakeholders. There is by and large an acknowledgement of the crucial role that government communication plays in shaping a sustained dialogue between government organizations and the communities they serve. "However, some skeptics are still questioning the practicality of government communication. They believe that simply providing the best government services would satisfy the needs and aspirations of the public," he added. Emphasizing the critical role of government communication, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi further said that "we realize that communication is central to the work that governments do and is a driving force in getting that work done. Communication is integral to exploring and foreseeing trends, needs and expectations of public opinion. It helps governments anticipate and act upon the questions raised by the public regarding their services and programs." "Furthermore, government services without carefully planned and strategic communication that factors in public opinion and reaches out to all targeted audiences with clear messages remains incomplete or ineffective in an increasingly technology-enabled world," he added. He also said: "Governments have stepped up their communication focus and methods in order to listen to the young social media generation. The youth of the 21st century are vocal about expressing their opinions on any and every issue - via photos on Instagram, words on Twitter, videos on YouTube and a combination of all these elements on Facebook and other platforms. "Governments now need to target generations that are able and willing to express themselves and are uniquely open to all cultures. We need to listen to them to utilize their innovative ideas and abilities to further develop our countries and societies." Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of National Media Council (NMC), said: "We must focus on constant development of the media in line with our national principles. Within a framework of responsible freedom, media organisations need to take steps to ensure accuracy and professionalism, align their operations with rapid technological advancements and strengthen the nation." In the inaugural session titled ‘Government Communication in Building Knowledge Societies', the important role of government communication in shaping public opinion to ensure advancements in the existing education system was highlighted. Experts called for greater alignment of modernization policies in the educational system with the country's overall development goals. Panelists headlining the session also reiterated the importance of education in shaping a knowledge-based economy and in creating an enlightened and empowered workforce. Moderated by Mayssoun Azzam, media personality from Al Arabiya News Channel, the discussion drew the participation of Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister of Sweden (2006-2014), Ziauddin Yousafzai, UN Special Advisor on Global Education, Jordan Casey, young entrepreneur, owner of Casey Games, and self-taught programmer, and Rajai El Khadem, Head of MENA - Public Sector LTS LinkedIn. Fredrick Reinfeldt highlighted that the education sector is where changes occur most frequently due to technology advancements and the Internet. Therefore, schools will need constant upgrading to better prepare students to be critical thinkers in the real world. Applauding Jordan Casey on his remarkable achievement in contributing to education through the Internet and modern technology, Reinfeldt added: "New technology is the world of knowledge and technology is our way into knowledge." Ziauddin Yousafzai, an advocate of equal education for all children, acknowledged that he rediscovered himself through education and wanted his daughter Malala to have the same experience in school. He added: "True education is a system that prepares kids for the challenges of tomorrow." Sharing his experience as a young entrepreneur who aspires to communicate with the younger generation, Jordan Casey pointed out that he was very fortunate to be born into the Internet era. He said: "I can reach billions of people through just one click. Anyone can achieve more than what they imagine." Rajai El Khadem, highlighting the importance of reinforcing the knowledge component in society through sharing best practices in education and skills development over social media platforms, said: "The future is always changing, so speed of adaptability needs to change. What we know today will be different tomorrow." — SG
