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As part of the continued efforts of Sharjah and the UAE leadership to enable children and young people to lead the future of the country, the sixth International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017) hosted a special interactive session for the Sharjah Children Shura Council.
With the aim of informing the young members of the Council about the current challenges facing the world, the session began by asking the representatives of Sharjah’s children to contribute to the global conversation about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On this occasion, His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, pointed out that we all live on this planet together, and in order to address its future challenges, we all need to play our role in the ongoing global efforts in this sphere.
He added: “We are delighted to see the leaders of the future enthusiastically participate in the global conversation on SDGs. Their engagement gives us confidence in their abilities to take on the responsibilities that come with leadership. Investing in our children was of the utmost importance to the founding father of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Today, we continue to water the seeds planted by the founders of the UAE and set the ground for comprehensive development of the country.”
During the session, children came up with innovative solutions to global challenges, such as poverty, food security and climate change. Part of the conversation focused on the role of voluntary work, while some children emphasised the importance of providing quality education for underprivileged children that will enable them to move confidently towards the future.
The Sharjah Children Shura Council operates under the auspices of the Children Centre Department affiliated with the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs. It aims to build a generation that understands the democratic process and knows how to exercise its rights as guaranteed by the constitution.
The first Council was established in 1997 under the name of Sharjah Children Parliament, based on a directive of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The parliamentary council, elected every two years, represents Sharjah’s children centres and schools. The members of the parliament are in the 8-11 age group.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, the sixth edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2017) was held from March 22 to 23 at Expo Centre Sharjah. Themed ‘Societal Participation…Comprehensive Development’, IGCF 2017 examines how the world’s nations can leverage effective government communication to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that have become the top priority of government programmes, international institutions, media organisations and civil society.
Offering a transparent platform to examine current issues and formulate recommendations to help governments optimise the impact of their communication, IGCF 2017 convenes more than 2,500 local and international personalities from the ranks of government officials, experts, thought leaders, and government communication professionals.
© Press Release 2017
