The International Government Communication Centre (IGCC), an initiative of Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), has announced the names of partners who will nominate government entities in eight categories of the 7th edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA). The move is aimed at ensuring a professional approach and transparency in nomination of candidates and selection of the winners, widening the scope of the Award and strengthening its stature as an international accolade with a global outlook and reach.

The partners include international organisations as well as UAE government departments and celebrated professionals.

UK-based Apolitical has been chosen as the partner to nominate candidates for the Best Government Communication Campaign – Global and Best Use of Data/Best Data Visualisation – Global categories. A for-profit company, Apolitical is a Certified B Corporation founded by entrepreneurs and backed by impact investors in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Australasia, and supported by an EU Horizon 2020 grant, that equips public servants to perform to their optimum.

The UAE Federal Youth Authority will partner to nominate entries in the Best Youth Initiative in Government Communication – The Arab Region and Best Idea to Increase Engagement (Influence) on the Future Generation – Global categories. The Authority is a government initiative to inspire youth-centric dialogue across a variety of areas for sustainable engagement with youth to shape innovative solutions for global challenges.

Nominees in the Best use of Video/Best use of Mobile/Best use of New Technology – Global category will be nominated by Kantar Public, a global consulting and research business, providing public policy services to governments, public sector organisations and private corporations. Kantar Public operates across the world, with permanent, fully staffed offices in every continent, to share global best practices through local expertise.

Muhammed Muheisen, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning photographer and the recipient of numerous international awards, will nominate entries in the Best Press Photo in Government Communication – Global category. He is a National Geographic photographer and the founder of the Dutch non-profit organisation, Everyday Refugees Foundation.

National Media Council (NMC) will partner to nominate entries in the Best Influencer Through Social Media – UAE and Best Initiative to Manage Fake News – Global categories. The Council promotes and supports all media-related initiatives and activities in the UAE and abroad; it works to guarantee the implementation of the best international standards for media organisations, and shape and implement the national media policy in collaboration with the other concerned institutions

Speaking about the awards, HE Tariq Saeed Allay, Director of Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), said: “Over the years SGCA has strengthened its position as an international platform to advance the culture and practice of efficient government communications, offering positive encouragement to all stakeholders in its development process. The Award is particularly important because it is focused on the role of communication in uplifting communities. It seeks to harness the capabilities of all community members and enable them to participate in the nation-building process by participating in the formulation of government plans and programmes.”

He added: “We are certain our new partners will add great value to the Award’s nomination processes by choosing deserving candidates as well as encouraging individuals, organisations and government and semi-government entities to adopt and implement successful communication initiatives that align with social development goals.”

The award is organised by IGCC in cooperation with the 9th International Government Communication Forum, to be held on March 4-5, 2020, at Sharjah Expo Centre under the patronage of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

The sixth edition of the SGCA received 250 entries, including 74 submissions from Sharjah, 118 from other emirates and 58 from the Gulf region. Since its inception, the Award has attracted 756 entries, with 337 from Sharjah, 255 from other emirates and 164 from the Gulf region.

The SGCA, the first of its kind in the Arab world, sheds light on outstanding achievements by individuals and organisations in the government communication sector. It seeks to foster best government communication practices in the UAE and the Gulf region.