The Sharjah Press Club, operating under the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, organised an interactive session titled “The Future of Communication”, on the second day of the 7th International Government Communication Forum, in partnership with the Arabic edition of the world’s leading business magazine, Harvard Business Review (HBR).

The session has attracted a mass of some of the most ambitious and curious students and experts in the field of government communication, who were engaged in a number of the latest debates within the communication industry, as well as engaged with its tools and the realities behind its future. Additional topics covered during the session involved the impacts of the digital age as well as Artifical Intelligence (A.I.) for best government communication practices.

The session also witness the launch of a special issue titled ‘The Power of Communication’, which was distributed across all the attendees familiarizing themselves with the Arabization of one of the most leading publications globally.

This was a fruit of a partnership between the Sharjah Press Club (SPC) and Haykal Media – publisher of HBR Arabia, the launch is in line with Sharjah’s ongoing efforts to build a knowledge-based society and economy, and bring the latest global know-how and experience to the UAE and the greater Arab world.

The special issue, which carries the title of The Power of Communication, features a selection of articles by some of the world’s leading experts and researchers in the fields of management and communication. 

The magazine was launched initiating a panel discussion titled ‘The Future of Communication,’ organised by the SPC and attended by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Asma Al Juwaied, Manager of SPC, Abdulsalam Haykal, Founder and Chairman of Haykal Media, Hamoud Almahmoud, Editor-in-Chief of Harvard Business Review Arabia and a large number of guests and audiences.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi said: “The launch of the special edition of Harvard Business Review Arabia is in line the efforts of Sharjah and IGCF to promote the latest know-how and best practices in government communication, enriching industry professionals with valuable insights and expert advice, which will add value to their knowledge about developments in the field of government communication and future prospects.”

Abdulsalam Haykal commented that “Haykal Media values the collaboration with visionary partners in Sharjah to bring to the Arab world this unique access to knowledge in the Arabic language.” He added that “IGCF provides a platform for key interactions on pushing the boundaries of communications, and enabling leaders and managers to use it as a strategic tool to achieve their goals, and create meaningful discussions and feedback loops among constituencies.”

Hamoud Almahmoud Editor-in-Chief of Harvard Business Review Arabia said: “HBR Arabia continues our long held commitment to enhance management and leadership content in the Arabic language to enable growth and development in our region. This special edition provides research-based articles on the best practises of the new trends of communications, a pivotal area for leaders and manages both on the individual and institutional levels”.

The 96-page magazine features an outstanding collection of articles that were selected carefully from the original edition of the Harvard Business Review, published by the revered academic institution that carries the same name. It is one of the world’s most prestigious publications in management and business, and the first edition appeared in 1922.

The Arabic edition also features special reports on Sharjah Press Club, Sharjah Award for Government Communication and the American University of Sharjah.

The articles address crucial topics like how to become an influential person and make others listen to you explain the skills that should be possessed by decision makers to deliver their messages to people with lesser expertise and experience. Other articles examine the basics of communication for the youth; how Artificial Intelligence can help government sectors to provide better services; social networking technologies; emotional intelligence and its impact on communication.

The panel discussion held following the launch of the Harvard Business Review’s special Arabic edition, was open to the public. It highlighted the future of communication, the impact of the shift in attitudes and concerns of the current generation on society and Governments, in addition to the latest developments in government communication systems.

The session also addressed expectations about the current reality of government communication and its prospects, as well as the effect of technology and Artificial Intelligence on government communication.