SPC wraps up 15th Ramadan Majlis with session on travel

The Sharjah Press Club (SPC), affiliated with the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), concluded the 15th edition of its Ramadan Majlis on Thursday evening with a session exploring travel as a journey of personal discovery and a transformative human experience.

Held at Aljada in Sharjah, the final session discussed how travel shapes perspective and encourages travellers to engage with different cultures while returning with experiences that extend beyond the trip itself.

The discussion featured travel content creators Farrah Al Ayedi and Abdulaziz Bin Huwaiden, and was moderated by Media Professional Yousif Al Hammadi from Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA).

Speakers reflected on how travel contributes to cultural awareness, personal growth, and expands one’s outlook on the world.

Bin Huwaiden noted the responsibility that comes with creating travel content, saying he aims to share cultural insights with his audience rather than simply documenting destinations. Reflecting on his visits to several Latin American countries, he said that interacting with local communities provided him new perspectives that broadened his understanding of different cultures.

Bin Huwaiden urged fellow travellers to “travel smart,” plan carefully, and approach each destination as more than leisure, but as an opportunity to expand their way of thinking.

Farrah Al Ayedi emphasised the importance of research before travelling, particularly for women, noting that safety remains a primary consideration when selecting destinations and accommodation.

She said that reviewing the experiences of others and planning thoroughly can help assess suitability and make travel more rewarding.

Preparation, Al Ayedi added, allows travellers to navigate challenges with greater confidence while still enjoying the spontaneity of the journey.

The evening also included interactive activities, a Q&A segment, and audience competitions, with prizes sponsored by Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA).

Over the course of its 15th edition, the Ramadan Majlis addressed a range of topics that covered thought, health, human development, and travel, gaining strong engagement from the public and media.

The Majlis continues to serve as a leading annual platform, combining ideas, experiences, and a focus on the human dimension in every discussion.

Recently, as part of its participation in the 14th edition of the International Government Communication Forum, Sharjah Press Club presented a series of interactive sessions and debates that tackled contemporary media challenges and examined how digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are reshaping the future of journalism.

During the forum, the SPC hosted an interactive space that allowed visitors to experience media presentations firsthand through professional news bulletin simulations.

This initiative offered the public a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into the media work environment.

The club’s sessions at IGCF aligned with its commitment to providing timely and relevant knowledge that responds to rapid technological and professional changes in the media industry. This participation also reinforces its broader vision of empowering media professionals and supporting their growth in an evolving media landscape.

The club hosted a thought-provoking debate titled "Journalism and AI: Humans or Machines?" designed to spark dialogue around the growing and often contentious reliance on artificial intelligence in content creation.

The session delved into the opportunities AI presents for enhancing and accelerating journalistic workflows, while also addressing the ethical and professional dilemmas it introduces.

It explored strategies for safeguarding core journalistic values amid the rise of advanced technological tools.

The club also presented an interactive session titled "For Smarter Journalism: 30 Apps Every Journalist Needs", led by Mobile Journalism Expert Nick Garnett.

The session showcased a selection of innovative applications designed to enhance journalistic productivity, refine techniques for collecting and analysing information, and support the creation of compelling visual and interactive content that resonates with audiences.

It highlighted how such technologies can empower journalists to tell stories in more creative, engaging and impactful ways.

In a session titled "Headlines: The Key to News Highlights", Maged Monir, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ahram newspaper, explored the critical role of headlines as both the entry point to media content and a cornerstone of effective journalism.

The session focused on the art of crafting headlines that balance accuracy, professionalism and audience appeal, particularly in today’s fast-moving and highly competitive digital news landscape.