Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the 14th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) opened with two inspirational keynotes witnessed by His Highness, alongside His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council; and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council.

The opening ceremony featured Sal Khan, Founder and CEO of Khan Academy, and Malawian Innovator William Kamkwamba, who delivered two inspirational talks on how empowerment through education and innovation is the true foundation for sustainable development.

Democratisation of knowledge

World-renowned educator Sal Khan, an American educator and entrepreneur, led with a powerful keynote, ‘Happiness Economy,’ encouraging the audience to reimagine society’s true progress not only in economic output but also in human contentment and fulfillment.

“I imagined a world where anyone, anywhere, can access knowledge and tuition for free, and I took it upon myself to realise that dream,” Khan stated, framing education as the most powerful tool for empowerment. “Education is not an end in itself, but the beginning of change. It gives us the ability to progress, understand, to make informed decisions, and overcome any challenge.”

He passionately stated that this democratisation of knowledge is also an invaluable link between different sectors of society, especially government and its people, building the aware and capable citisens needed to solve pressing global challenges. In Khan’s opinion, this is the smartest investment a society can make, saying, “A happiness economy cannot flourish if people do not feel seen, heard, and empowered. When we transform education into a force for equity, we empower every individual to learn, grow, and thrive; building a world where quality of life is the ultimate measure of success.”

Innovating a path to the future

Echoing this theme of empowerment from the ground up, Malawian Inventor William Kamkwamba shared his story through a moving talk. He described a childhood shaped by the challenges of farming in a rural setting, saying, “We depend on the land, and some years are better than others. This makes a big difference when it comes to income and even food supplies for our own families.”

Facing a severe drought one year, his quest for a solution led him on a long journey to a city library, where a single book on energy changed his life. His relentless pursuit caught the attention of a librarian. Encouraged by his persistence, local officials visited his village to witness his project firsthand. That visit, followed by journalists, catapulted his homemade windmill; built from scrap wood and an old bicycle; onto the world stage.

Reflecting on his journey, Kamkwamba highlighted the support future innovators need, saying, “I thought about what would have made things easier, including mentors to guide me, tools, etc. It was then that I decided to start an organisation to do exactly that.”

Together, the two keynote speakers offered complementary perspectives: Khan emphasised the transformative role of knowledge in building economies of happiness, while Kamkwamba presented a living model of human willpower and innovation that turned poverty and hunger into an opportunity for solutions — inspiring the world from a small village in Malawi.

Their messages converged on a central truth, that when people are empowered, they can uplift whole societies. In relation to government communication, it is clear that the role of leadership is not only to spread information but also to actively listen, support, and amplify local voices. By investing in people, both through equitable education and by championing local innovators, governments can build a resilient foundation for a truly sustainable and happy future for all.