The International Government Communication Centre, IGCC, has launched an online survey which enables individuals, decision makers and media personnel to identify and choose the topics of next year’s International Government Communication Forum, IGCF. Organised by Sharjah Government Media Bureau, SGMB, the seventh edition of IGCF takes place in March, 2018, at Expo Centre Sharjah.

The initiative has been designed as a practical application of the concept of government communication and to interact with audiences on the one hand, and decision makers and public officials from government entities on the other. The survey will enable IGCF to address the most critical issues from the perspective of the community by creating relevant topics for its sessions and panels in keeping with its commitment to enjoin active participation with its activities.

Themed ‘Connect and Build the Future’, the e-survey targets media personnel, staff of government departments and entities, public relations experts, officials from private institutions and corporations and all members of the community who are interested in government communication. Participation is available from 16th October to 15th November, 2017.

The e-survey is available in English and Arabic with the aim of creating maximum participation. It engages with the target audience by communicating three key messages: ‘Face your challenges - your challenges are the focus of our interest’, ‘Suggest what we should change - your suggestions can change the future’ and ‘Be frank - your frankness helps us better understand and reach you’.

Underscoring the importance of the survey, Jawaher Al Naqbi, Manager of the IGCF, said, "The e-survey exemplifies the vision of the IGCF to activate the concept of direct and effective communication with the audience. It aims to be part of a new system in government communication that can benefit federal institutions and communication sector personnel across the UAE, the region and the world."

Al Naqbi pointed out that when the IGCF attracts experts in public issues, intellectuals and thought leaders, media personnel and state officials, it is able to address a number of challenges that face government communication and encourages all parties to discuss, analyse and examine them.

The IGCF is in line with the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to showcase local, regional and international best practices in the field of government communication through a series of discussion panels, case studies and training workshops, all designed to evaluate and introduce ideas that can contribute to enhancing communication between the government and its audience.