Agenda

Workshops

Day One

Day Two

February 24, 2013

Time	Agenda
09:00 – 11:00	24 February - Workshop One - Public speaking: how to get your message across The ability to deliver a speech is a vital tool for senior officials who have the important role of communicating their messages to the public and to specialist groups, including at international events. This workshop covers all aspects of how to make an effective public presentation. The ability to deliver a speech is a vital tool for senior officials who have the important role of communicating their messages to the public and to specialist groups, including at international events. This workshop covers all aspects of how to make an effective public presentation. The workshop covers: Planning and preparation The role of speechwriters How to structure an effective speech How to deliver a speech to a variety of audiences Developing confidence The workshop will show participants the secrets to producing powerful, clear speeches. It will focus on speeches in both English and Arabic and show the similarities and differences between the two. Trainer David Hardaker Head of Media Development, twofour54 tadreeb Fahed Hussein Executive Consultant, twofour54 tadreeb
09:00 – 11:00	25 February - Workshop One - The Relationship Between Governmental Institutions and the Media The workshop discusses the complementary relationship between governmental institutions and print and audio-visual media, and how to communicate the media message to the target audience, as well as the vital role of the Media in supporting the government efforts through its various institutions. The workshop discusses the complementary relationship between governmental institutions and print and audio-visual media, and how to communicate the media message to the target audience, as well as the vital role of the Media in supporting the government efforts through its various institutions. The workshop also focuses on different axis including: Build an active strategy between governmental institutions and the Media. The clarity of the media message to ensure it reaches the largest group of the target audience. The importance of organized and responsible coordination between both sides in a timely manner. Governmental institutions and Media understanding of the reality and nature of work of each. Establish a partnership based on supporting the public interest and enhancing the national identity. Trainer May Alem Media and Training Consultant, twofour54 tadreeb Fahed Hussein Executive Consultant, twofour54 tadreeb
14:00 – 16:00	24 February - Workshop Two - Introduction to Social Media for Communications Throughout the world, governments are utilizing social media as a means to regularly connect with citizens, residents, visitors and any other members of the public. As a result, all government sectors need to understand the nuances of social media and how it impacts its reputation, relationships and credibility. Throughout the world, governments are utilizing social media as a means to regularly connect with citizens, residents, visitors and any other members of the public. As a result, all government sectors need to understand the nuances of social media and how it impacts its reputation, relationships and credibility. Combining international best practice with local case studies, this course will provide government entities an overview of social media, as well as guidance to ensuring operational success. This course will provide an introduction to social media, covering: Intro to social media When government and SM merge. Defining objectives & scope Communication strategies & channels Image & reputation management Monitoring Measurement & optimization Trainer Khaled Akbik Social Media Manager
19:30 – 21:30	24 February - Poetry Reading and Dinner by Invitation only
19:30 – 21:30	25 February - Ceremony and dinner to honour key contributors of the Sharjah Government Communication Forum Host George Kordahi Media Personality and TV Presenter
14:00 – 16:00	25 February - Workshop Two - Holding a Press Conference Holding any press conference is based on the event through which a message needs to be delivered to the public seeing its importance and the timing of the press conference. Holding any press conference is based on the event through which a message needs to be delivered to the public seeing its importance and the timing of the press conference. The aim of the press conference is to leave a positive impact with the audience by ensuring a good media coverage of the topic in all its aspects: Planning for Press Conference. Getting Ready and Organizing for the Press Conference. During the Press Conference. Trainer May Alem Media and Training Consultant, twofour54 tadreeb

February 24, 2013

Time	Agenda
08:00 – 09:30	Registration
09:30 – 10:45	Session 1 - Government and People: Perspectives for Mutual Engagement In the midst of strategic changes taking place in the world today, effective communication between governments and their people has been proven to be crucial. Believing that it is important to communicate with the people is the first step in successful government communication. In addition to proactively identifying the needs and problems of the people, understanding their concerns, and listening to them, it is essential to engage with them to communicate the government’s points of view and reach a win-win situation. In the midst of strategic changes taking place in the world today, effective communication between governments and their people has been proven to be crucial. Believing that it is important to communicate with the people is the first step in successful government communication. In addition to proactively identifying the needs and problems of the people, understanding their concerns, and listening to them, it is essential to engage with them to communicate the government’s points of view and reach a win-win situation. The first session seeks to identify the best communication strategies adopted by governments worldwide, and discusses the viability of applying these models in the Arab world. Aiming to identify ways to forecast future possibilities by observing happenings in the street, the session will highlight effective tools to listen to the public and communicate with them more extensively. Topics: Do governments keep pace with the needs and interests of the public? What is the role of intelligent media monitoring in providing accurate reports and analysis for ensuring a rapid response to urgent issues? What can governments do to listen effectively to the voice of the public and reach out to the broadest segment of people? What is the role of polls and social media in facilitating governments to listen consistently? What other tools and mechanisms can be used to listen more closely to the people? How do Arab leaders communicate with the public? Is their TV communication affective? (Methods and platforms of communication and engagement currently adopted by governments and leaders) What can governments do to participate and communicate better with the public? How can it leverage the traditional methods of communication that offered positive outcomes? Moderator Nima Abu Warda Broadcast journalist at BBC World Speakers Rawan Al Damen Producer and Director, Programs Department Al Jazeera Gilbert Doumit Adviser and Managing Partner of Beyond Reform and Development Ghassan Hajjar Managing Editor of Lebanese daily Al-Nahar Raed Berqawi Editor in Chief, Al Khaleej Newspaper
10:45 – 11:00	Break
11:00 – 11:30	Official Opening Ceremony The official opening ceremony of the Government Communication Forum will be under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The official opening ceremony of the Government Communication Forum will be under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. National Anthem of the UAE Speech of Mohammed Khalaf, Director of Sharjah Radio Speech of His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation Speech of guest of honour of Sharjah Government Communication Forum 2013 of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Of Turkey Speech of guest of honour of Sharjah Government Communication Forum 2013 of Kofi Anan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations
11:30 – 12:30	Session 2 - Live Interview Introduced in 2013, the interview sessions are regarded a crucial component of the Government Communication Forum. The one-on-one interviews seek to highlight the pioneering role of eminent personalities in politics and government communication in the Arab world and beyond. Introduced in 2013, the interview sessions are regarded a crucial component of the Government Communication Forum. The one-on-one interviews seek to highlight the pioneering role of eminent personalities in politics and government communication in the Arab world and beyond. Speakers are primarily chosen for their extensive contribution to promoting communication among governments, as well as between governments and their people. During the interviews, speakers share their defining personal and professional perspectives, and highlight best practices in government communication to allow participants to gain from their experiences. Moderator Najwa Qassem Media person at Al Arabiya TV Speakers Amre Moussa Former Secretary-General of the Arab League Andrew Young Politician and human rights activist
12:30 – 12:45	Al Zuhr Prayers
14:45 – 14:00	Lunch
15:30 – 17:00	Session 4 - Communication in Election Campaigns (Obama’s Re-election Campaign 2012)- International Case Study The international case study session will highlight communication principles for electoral campaigns, analyzing the electoral campaign of US President Barack Obama in 2012 that is considered one of the most expensive presidential races in history. The segment will scrutinize the backstage preparations and dynamics involved in electoral campaigns. It will also look into communication strategies and innovative ways of using communication that played a pivotal role in Obama’s re-election for a second term. Additionally, the session will examine the key role of the media in influencing or shaping public opinion. The international case study session will highlight communication principles for electoral campaigns, analyzing the electoral campaign of US President Barack Obama in 2012 that is considered one of the most expensive presidential races in history. The segment will scrutinize the backstage preparations and dynamics involved in electoral campaigns. It will also look into communication strategies and innovative ways of using communication that played a pivotal role in Obama’s re-election for a second term. Additionally, the session will examine the key role of the media in influencing or shaping public opinion. Moderator Randa Habib Director, Agence France Presse (AFP) Foundation in the Middle East and North Africa Speakers Colleen Harris Former press secretary to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Prince William and His Royal Highness Prince Harry Jim Messina Campaign manager for Obama's 2012 re-election campaign

February 25, 2013

Time	Agenda
09:00 – 09:15	Overview of Sessions The session on the second day of the Government Communication Forum will also focus on the best practices in government communication worldwide. The sessions will seek to identify steps that contribute to building successful government communication units in terms of organizational structure, trained personnel, workflows, organization and implementation strategy, and developing agendas for governmental events. The session on the second day of the Government Communication Forum will also focus on the best practices in government communication worldwide. The sessions will seek to identify steps that contribute to building successful government communication units in terms of organizational structure, trained personnel, workflows, organization and implementation strategy, and developing agendas for governmental events. Accompanying workshops aim at training participants on the skills required for developing successful and effective government communication models that meet the overall vision of governments. Speakers Mohammed Ali Al Manai News presenter, Sharjah TV Sharjah Television Osama Samra Director of Sharjah Media Centre
10:45 – 11:00	Break
11:00 – 12:00	Session 2 - Live Interview Experience has demonstrated that there is a need to update the means of communicating with the public on a regular basis. Additionally, it is crucial that communication is clear and proactive. However, a considerable number of Arab bodies, ministries and government institutions lack sufficient strategic communication programmes. Such institutions also fail to leverage effective tools that would enable them to successfully communicate with their stakeholders and understand their aspirations. Experience has demonstrated that there is a need to update the means of communicating with the public on a regular basis. Additionally, it is crucial that communication is clear and proactive. However, a considerable number of Arab bodies, ministries and government institutions lack sufficient strategic communication programmes. Such institutions also fail to leverage effective tools that would enable them to successfully communicate with their stakeholders and understand their aspirations. Moderator Mona Shatheli Presenter at MBC Egypt Speakers Martin Luther King III Human rights advocate and community activist
09:30 – 10:45	Session 1 - Communication in Arab governments: Between Real World Challenges and Promising Structure The session seeks to examine the existence of an ideal government communication structure and identify ways to replicate this model. Additionally, the session will look to conclude if governments can develop special models for their government communication units to achieve their objectives of communicating with the public. In addition to identifying Arab governments that originally have strategic and effective government communication units, the session will aim to determine if governments that lack such structures will succeed in transitioning towards the effective government communication models. The session seeks to examine the existence of an ideal government communication structure and identify ways to replicate this model. Additionally, the session will look to conclude if governments can develop special models for their government communication units to achieve their objectives of communicating with the public. In addition to identifying Arab governments that originally have strategic and effective government communication units, the session will aim to determine if governments that lack such structures will succeed in transitioning towards the effective government communication models. Topics: What are the different models of government communication structures used today? (Demonstrate different communication structures. What worked, what did not work) What are the resources required to sustain effective communication? How are governments communicating in the absence of trained personnel? How can international best practices be adapted to local government communication environment? Moderator Zeina Al Yazeji Media person at Dubai TV and presenter of the Arab Street show Speakers Jihad Al Khazen Writer and journalist at Al-Hayat Newspaper Ziyad Baroud Lawyer and Lebanon’s former Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ali Jaber Dean and Assistant Professor of Communication and Information Studies of the Mohammad Bin Rashid School Of Communications at the AUD, and group TV director at MBC Octavia Nasr Former Executive Producer of CNN World Report, former Anchor of CNN International’s World News
12:00 – 14:00	lunch and Al Zuhr prayers Keynote speech by Hamdy Kandil, Media Personality and journalist Keynote speech by Hamdy Kandil, Media Personality and journalist
14:00 – 15:15	Session 3 - Strategic communication is more than a work plan Every step in the government communication process is an integrated and independent project in itself that aims to identify the cornerstones of effective communication with other departments in the government communication unit. Each step has its own strategy that matches the overall strategy of government communication, which makes it more than just an action plan ready to be implemented. Tactics and preparation pave the way for the implementation. Every step in the government communication process is an integrated and independent project in itself that aims to identify the cornerstones of effective communication with other departments in the government communication unit. Each step has its own strategy that matches the overall strategy of government communication, which makes it more than just an action plan ready to be implemented. Tactics and preparation pave the way for the implementation. Topics: What drives government communication agendas? What are the main points that should be taken into account when communicating with all government departments? How can we maintain strategic thinking, planning and implementation of government activities? Moderator George Kordahi Media Personality and TV Presenter Speakers Maryam Bin Fahad Executive Director of Dubai Press Club (DPC) Zaven Kouyoumdjian Media person in Future TV of Lebanon Dr Hessa Lootah Associate Professor at UAE University Dr. Abdullah Jawdat Rizkallah Founding Member and CEO of Al Risalah Satellite
15:15 – 15:30	Break
15:30 – 17:00	Session 4 - Government Communication in Sharjah - Local Case Study The session aims to discuss the mechanisms of communication in Arab governments and highlight the Government Communication Unit in Sharjah as an innovative effort established with a mandate to improve communication between the government and its people. In addition to walking through the stages in the setting up of the GCU in Sharjah, the session will throw light on the role and functions of the unit in relation to the people of Sharjah. The participants will spotlight the mechanism established between one of the government departments in Sharjah and its stakeholders as a case study in government communication. Moderator Hassan Yaquob Media person at Sharjah media Corporation and presenter of the “Khat Al Mubasher” Speakers Samy Al Reyamy Editor-In-Chief - Emarat Al Youm Marwan Jassim Al Serkal CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority "Shurooq" Ahmad Salem Bosamnoh Board Member of Sharjah Media Corporation Mamoun Sbeih Managing Director of APCO Worldwide - Arab region