Governments should listen and speak: Canadian leader

Sharjah - She commended Sharjah for being "intensely modern, and at the same time, infused with a rich culture, warmth and hospitality".

The opening session on the second day of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) 2020 heard global leaders and government officials speaking on the role of government in effecting good communication practices to drive society forward.
In the presence of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, the session assembled officials and media professionals who discussed why effective government communication was essential to the development and stability of the country.
Sheikh Sultan said: "In order to ensure optimum welfare of all members of the UAE community and to ensure sustained national development, this government and this forum strive to engage in and popularise communication best practices. This year, the IGCF held discussions around identifying and developing specific communication strategies in the best interests of our people in keeping with the government objectives. We hope this forum adds value to the nationwide efforts being exerted in this area."
Effective communication not one-way street
Michaëlle Jean, Canada's former governor-general and commander-in-chief, said that Canada and Sharjah had a similar development trajectory, since both economies represent oil-producing nations. She commended Sharjah for being "intensely modern, and at the same time, infused with a rich culture, warmth and hospitality".
Jean went on to emphasise other similarities between the two nations, saying Canada's brand was one of multiculturalism and intercultural exchange, much like the UAE. "Canada welcomes diversity and sees it as a strength," she noted, adding that her own life was an example as her prodigious rise up the ranks to hold prestigious public offices in Canada was preceded by her entry into the country as a refugee from Haiti.
Jean noted that during her time in office, cross-departmental and agency communications were essential to bring about progress and peace. The police and emergency services communicating with civil society, for instance, in order to safeguard the welfare of citizens.
She said: "Critically, effective government communications offer a conduit between organisations and citizens that create a relationship of trust and respect between them and their people. More and more populations are demanding to be seen and heard, to be taken into account. Governments need to listen as well as speak; effective communication is a shared endeavour, not a one-way street. To communicate effectively, we must be persuasive and to be persuasive, we must be truthful. And I would add, to be respectful we must listen, and to listen we must include. This is how we create a harmonious and cohesive society."
Action is key
Moataz Mashal, strategist, entrepreneur and bestselling author, shared his own successful experience of using the power of communication to achieve his goals.
The author of Saghir Aglak emphasised the importance of introspective and proactive decision-making, and said: "You, yourself are responsible for everything that happens in your life. Even if you think something is out of your control, a spiralling virus, for example, it's easy to think 'What can I do'? Even in situations like these, you are fully responsible for your actions and their implications. The captain of a sinking ship doesn't tell people, 'OK we're all going to die. Let's do nothing. He says, 'lower the lifeboats, put on your life jackets'. He takes action. Action is key."
Mashal explained why having good ideas isn't enough. "You have to have a strategy to implement them," he said, suggesting that key drivers of continued success are staying healthy, exercising, having creative passion and reading regularly.
"You should read at least three books a year; it is in these books you will find new ideas and in the process get that much-needed intellectual workout," Mashal told his audience.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah