The International Government Communication Centre (IGCC), a subsidiary of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), has received 403 entry submissions for the eighth edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA).

Jurors for the coveted Sharjah award who evaluated the submissions met on July 25 to short-list 212 nominees. The winners will be announced on the sidelines of the 10th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) 2021.

Launched in 2012 under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the SGCA aims to foster best professional practices in government communication in the UAE, and the Gulf region by highlighting and recognising outstanding achievements by individuals and organisations in the field.

The 212 nominees accepted in the award’s 14 categories, include 38 entries from Sharjah, 145 from other Emirates and a total of 29 entries from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, Pakistan, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Morocco, and other countries across the greater Middle East.

Entries highlight governments’ response to Covid-19 crisis

The ‘Best Crisis Response-United Arab Emirates’ category saw the largest number of participants with 41 entries, followed by the ‘Best Government Communication through New Media’ with 24 entries. The ‘Best Practices for Dealing with the Coronavirus Crisis’ global category attracted 21 submissions.

The ‘Best Applied Scientific Research in Government Communication’ category received 18 entries; ‘Best Idea for Engaging Future Generations in the Arab World’ category, 17; ‘Best Practices in Government Communication’ (UAE) category, 15; ‘Best Social Media Influencer – Arab World’ category, 14; and ‘Ideal Employee for Government Communication’ category, which is exclusively for UAE entities, 12.

Other categories including ‘Best Youth Initiative in Government Communication’ category, dedicated to the Arab World, received 9 entries; the ‘Best Photo/Video in Government Communication’ Global, 8;and the ‘Best Media Programme’ (Arab World), 6.

Five entries were accepted in the ‘Best Public Communication Initiative’ category, that is dedicated to Sharjah entities. The ‘Best Practices for Dealing with Fake News’ (Global) and ‘Best System Supporting Government Communication –UAE’ categories received 3 entries each.

HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, said: “The quality and content of entries that SGCA’s 8th edition has attracted reflect the unique set of challenges faced by government communication teams across the world during the last two years. They also highlight the experiences gained while managing a crisis of unprecedented scale and scope, raising awareness about the Covid-19 situation, and providing emotional and social support to the public. The entries this year are also a testament to the success achieved by the Award to position itself regionally and globally, and to its role in establishing professional standards for government communication practices”.

Allay added: “The ‘Best Practices for Dealing with the Coronavirus Crisis’, ‘Best Government Communication through New Media’ and ‘Best Crisis Response’ categories saw the largest number of participants, emphasising the need for government communication teams to have effective response strategies and to maintain strong communication with the audience. Government communication is a powerful tool for raising awareness, promoting development, strengthening social ties and keeping the community updated of any developments with openness and transparency.”

The Sharjah award jury includes HE Mohammed Jalal Al Raisi, Executive Director of the Emirates News Agency (WAM); HE Ali Jaber, Director General of MBC Group and Dean of Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Communication at American University of Dubai (AUD); Sami Al Reyami, Editor-in-Chief of Emarat Al Youmnewspaper; HE Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of Sharjah Media Council; Shihab Alhammadi, Director of Sharjah Media City (Shams); Dr Ali Salem Al Lawati, Adviser at the Diwan of Royal Court, Sultanate of Oman; Dr. Yasar Jarrar, bestselling author of The Sheikh CEO; and Fadila Al Muaini, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Journalists Association.