The Sixth Edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017), to be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, from March 22 to 23, 2017 at Expo Centre Sharjah, will host two training workshops in collaboration with the United Nations Foundation.
In line with the Forum's efforts to enhance the quality of the government communication ecosystem, particularly with regard to media coverage, the workshops aim to ensure governments are well-prepared to articulate the objectives of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to help make these goals a reality locally and internationally.
The workshops will be facilitated by experts from the United Nations Foundation throughout the two-day forum. The first workshop titled Global Media Trends in Covering Progress of SDGs will focus on news reporting and target journalists and news editors from government entities. Addressing comprehensive communication needs, the second workshop titled International Best Practices in Communicating SDGs will target government communication specialists from organisations in Sharjah and the wider UAE.
Jawaher Al Naqbi, Manager of the International Government Communication Forum, said: Every year with the IGCF, we aim to highlight best international government communication practices with a view to transferring such practices to our region. Aimed at significantly enhancing the media and communication skills of journalists and communication professionals, the workshops will provide participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to communicate effectively and raise awareness about SDGs and sustainability issues in different sectors.
We believe that through engaging journalists and government communication practitioners in such proactive exercises, they can contribute more constructively in the efforts of the UAE government to achieve the SDGs.
She added: Through these workshops, the United Nations Foundation will highlight the most relevant data and information on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The sessions will also draw on successful case studies to convey the key messages of the SDGs. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts, UN representatives and communicators to gain a clear understanding of communicating the importance of the SDGs to various audiences, including media, constituents and other government colleagues. They can also take part in a variety of communication exercises to enhance their knowledge and skillsets on the SDGs.
Speaking on the importance of the workshop, Aaron Sherinian, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at the UN Foundation said: Global progress cannot happen without real global conversations. We cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals without supporting journalists and communicators that make that kind of conversation possible.
The workshops align with the efforts of Sharjah and the UAE to stress the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals that are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Building on the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals, the 17 SDGs also include new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, as key global priorities.
The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) has invited the specially targeted segments to register for the workshops via IGCF's official website www.sgci.ae. All those interested can also receive news and updates on the Forum's sessions and events through following the hashtag #IGCF17 on social media platforms.
-Ends-
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The Sixth Edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017), to be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, from March 22 to 23, 2017 at Expo Centre Sharjah, will host two training workshops in collaboration with the United Nations Foundation. 
