Recognising the impact of social media on the government communications landscape, the upcoming edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2015) will include two new components – the Social Media Corner and the Social Media Award, organisers at Sharjah Media Centre revealed today.

Located at the forum’s foyer area, the Social Media Corner will encourage the forum’s participants and social media users to directly express their views, share comments and ask questions. They will be able to do this through tweets, Instagram images, or video messages that can be recorded using a special booth designed for the purpose.

Sponsored by Microsoft, the IGCF 2015 Content Partner, each session at IGCF 2015 will announce two winners of the Social Media Award for the best Instagram picture and the best tweet. The top three tweeters using the forum’s official hashtag #IGCF15 will also receive an award at the conclusion of the forum, bringing the total number of winners selected over the two-day event to 15.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, IGCF 2015 is set to run from 22 to 23 February at the Expo Centre Sharjah.

Commenting on the introduction of the new components, Jawaher Al Naqbi, Manager of the International Government Communication Forum, said: "In an increasingly tech-savvy world, any forum on government communication can only be relevant if it involves the active participation of the main stakeholders, the public. Aiming to step up the focus on social communication and strengthen relations between individuals and institutions, the Social Media Corner and Award will efficiently leverage dialogue and the exchange of creative ideas to ensure a more effective forum.”

Al Naqbi added: “Sharjah Media Centre is committed to providing our youth with direct access to new developments in the field of government communication. In this context, we have conducted a number of field visits to universities and various academic institutions in the country to connect with students and encourage them to participate in the forum. We are also re-introducing the green seat at this year’s IGCF to provide our young audience with an opportunity to directly engage with the forum’s speakers and guests.”

IGCF is a first-of-its-kind platform that highlights regional communication challenges and articulates Sharjah Media Centre’s efforts in developing government communication mechanisms for the benefit of government institutions in the UAE and wider region.

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