The 2020 edition of IGCF preceded the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) started 10 years ago as an ambitious idea devoted to our common interests in the UAE, as well as the interests of societies worldwide – the reason it received the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The idea not only received support from public and private entities in the UAE and the region but also sparked the interest of experts and professionals. Thanks to planning and perseverance, IGCF has grown into the most prominent international platform to address the relationship between entities, governments and the public through government communication, said Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) reprising the historic decade-long journey of IGCF.

Describing how IGCF navigated the challenges it has faced since inception, Allay pointed out that even though the idea of the forum was new to the region, it succeeded because it came as a response to two key questions: the future of the relationship between government entities and communities, and the model Sharjah should present in highlighting the role of partnerships in achieving inclusive sustainable development.

Underscoring what to expect from the 10th edition of the Forum, slated to take place on 26 – 27 September, at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Historic Lessons, Future Ambitions’, Allay revealed that it has been designed as an outcome of the recommendations and results of IGCF’s previous nine editions, and will bring together top officials, decision-makers and experts from all over the world to share their experiences and views on how effective government communication can tackle unprecedented global events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

REFORMULATING COMMUNICATION OBJECTIVES: Allay noted that the organiser, SGMB, has always ensured that the two-day event addresses pressing questions and highlights contemporary topics of strategic importance, responding directly to the challenges communication teams across government establishments face.

“Launched in 2012, the first edition coincided with several local and global events. The world was still recovering from the 2008 financial crisis, and the Arab region, and the UAE in particular, was beginning to witness a new era of government communications. This was reflected in a healthier relationship between government entities and the general public and a deeper involvement of community members in the local and national development processes,” said Allay.

“A precise analysis of the needs and challenges of this new era led SGMB to choose the theme ‘The Role of Government Communication in Managing the Development Process’. In 2012, IGCF made a strong recommendation to turn government communication entities into partners in the development process,” he added.

ONE VISION, ONE MISSION: The theme of the second edition in 2013, ‘Effective Communication, Unified Vision’, Allay said, responded to the most radical challenges that faced the official development journey by presenting a unified development vision to the public by consolidating key messages and engaging the society and the government alike. With this, the second edition established the forum’s importance as a reliable regional and global platform, committed to fulfilling people’s needs and ambitions.

MORE COMMUNICATIVE AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENTS: The theme of the third edition, ‘Different Roles, Mutual Respect’, built on the previous two editions. It discussed the significance of diversification in government communication while remaining committed to a unified vision. He stressed that the public is not a single unit as it comprises groups with varied interests, education, attitudes and professions, and therefore, requires an understanding of each group to select the right platforms and mechanisms by government communication teams and entities.

ONWARD TO MORE SPECIALISATION: Allay explained that the fourth edition signalled a natural progression in the forum’s role. Themed ‘Specific Actions, Better Results’, IGCF 2015 focused on providing hands-on scientific workshops, invested in case studies, global models and experiences in the government communication field, including that of the European Union, and ensured the participation of leaders in the field.