The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) has introduced the Jury Awards as part of the 11th edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA), focused on celebrating and recognising outstanding individual achievements and valuable contributions in the communication field across four categories.These include the ‘Best Distinguished Government Official Award’, ‘Best Individual to Have Contributed Strategically to the Field of Government Communication’, ‘Best Communication with Impact on Remote Communities’, and ‘Best Individual Positive Social Impact Award’.Leading experts in media and communicationThe selection of nominees and winners for the four categories will be based on the SGCA Jury Committee, which comprises HE Mohammed Jalal Al Raisi, (pictured), Chairman of the Jury Committee; HE Ali Jaber, Group TV Director of MBC and Dean of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication at the American University in Dubai; HE Dr. Ali Qasim Jawad Al Lawati, President of The Royal Academy of Management in Oman; HE Shihab Alhammadi, Vice Chancellor for Financial and Administrative Affairs - University of Sharjah; Mohammed Majed Al Suwaidi, Acting Director of Sharjah Sports Channel (SSC); Mona El-Shazly, prominent Egyptian media personality and TV host; Sami Al Reyami, former Editor-in-Chief of Emarat Al Youm newspaper; Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Senior Strategy Advisor focused on emerging markets and author of “The Sheikh CEO” book; and writer and media personality Dr. Ahmed Abdel Rahman Al Arfaj.Celebrting individual communication endeavoursHE Mohammed Jalal Al Raisi, Chairman of the SGCA jury committee said: "We take great pride in our ongoing partnership with the prestigious and coveted Sharjah Government Communication Award. Leveraging the expertise of each jury member, these special award categories seek to recognise leading achievements and honour exemplary societal models that inspire the public to engage positively and actively."He said: "Our communities have many commendable experiences that positively utilise communication tools effectively and deserve public recognition. It is our responsibility as jurors to highlight these achievements. The categories span various facets of government communication, including outstanding leadership, strategic contributions, and positive social impacts. Showcasing these achievements reinforces values of innovation and excellence in communication and fosters further contributions towards a more connected, developed, and positively influenced society."Best Distinguished Government Official AwardThe Best Distinguished Government Official Award honours government officials who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, inspiring dedication, and effective contributions that go far beyond the expectations of their official roles. The award seeks to highlight those who take a hands-on approach and interact directly with the public, employees, and society, creating wide-reaching positive impact both in the entities where they work and in society by improving public services, adopting innovative initiatives, and enhancing transparency and accountability in government administration.Individuals with Strategic ContributionsThe Best Individual to Have Contributed Strategically to the Field of Government Communication celebrates exceptional individuals who have played a pivotal role in positive change and a profound impact on government communication through contributions to elevate communications between governments and citizens through strategic, scientific, and applied contributions. The award also recognises individuals who have provided creative and innovative solutions to advance strategies, transparency, and credibility.Best Communication with Impact on Remote CommunitiesThe Best Communication with Impact on Remote Communities award category honours individuals who have shown exceptional creativity and excellence in designing and implementing communication strategies targeting remote areas with tangible positive results. The award recognises those who have utilised new or unconventional tools and technologies to overcome communication challenges in those regions, as well as those who have developed strategies that transcend geographic and cultural barriers. The jury will consider several key contributions, including developing and implementing strategies that address the unique privacy and challenges of remote areas.Best Individual Positive Social Impact AwardThe Best Individual Positive Social Impact Award honours individuals who have made a substantial social contribution by directly influencing large groups of people, inspiring them to take on positive roles, and becoming effective public role models. This award category recognises community figures and social media influencers who have utilised their social media stardom to drive initiatives, practices, and communication campaigns with profound and positive social, developmental, and cultural impacts, contributing to societal advancement.

The 11th edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA 2024) has extended a global invitation to government agencies, organisations, and private sector leaders to compete in the newly introduced category, "Best Investment in Soft Power to Support Communication Programmes." The category recognises those excelling in harnessing arts, sports, technology, culture, and education as effective communication tools to achieve development goals and strategies. As one of 13 categories open for direct submission, applications are accepted until August 1, 2024, via the award’s website, www.igcc.ae.Entities will compete to showcase their exceptional programs and initiatives that innovatively leverage soft power to achieve vital developmental objectives. This new category includes two awards - exclusively targeting government institutions and private companies and recognising their pioneering efforts in using soft power to drive impactful and positive change in societies and among the public.Culture and Art: Potent Communication ToolsThe ‘Best Investment in Soft Power to Support Communication Programmes’ award category seeks to honour outstanding efforts that have significantly enhanced public perception. It celebrates pioneering contributions in organising cultural and artistic events that reflect community values and culture or foster understanding between societies. Moreover, the award recognises investments across various sectors that create a positive impact through the power of arts, culture, knowledge and sports, addressing public interest issues, promoting positive values, and delivering beneficial messages to society and countries.The award also celebrates soft power efforts to engage youth and encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles. It honours initiatives that strengthen international relations and enhance the cultural image of the country or institution. Recognising the vital role of soft power as an effective communication tool that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, the award emphasises its importance in fostering global understanding and connectionsProjects should demonstrate exceptional creativity and innovation in using soft power as a communication tool or in organising artistic, cultural, and sporting events. They should also prove effective audience engagement, sustainability of initiatives, and measurable impact. For detailed criteria, applicants can refer to the award's website.Submission criteriaTo ensure a successful submission to the SGCA, applicants need to submit an executive summary not exceeding 250 words, as well as a comprehensive and organised 1,000 words file that uses suitable headings, paragraphs, and illustrations to support the submission in addition to a summary or table of contents as an overview of the file. It is also recommended that the award file include introductory media such as infographics, videos, and photos, all of which must meet the specific criteria of the award category. Participants can submit their works that meet the award's criteria on its website, which offers comprehensive details about all the categories, criteria, and participation requirements.

The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) is calling on individuals across the globe to participate in the 11th edition of the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA). Individuals can compete in four distinct categories, focusing on ambitious young individuals with leading communication initiatives, official spokespersons representing government institutions, academics and researchers, and digital content creators transforming the media landscape with their creativity. Nominations are open until August 1st through the website www.igcc.ae.Best Youth InitiativeThe Best Youth Initiative in Government Communication category is dedicated to individuals or youth groups that have launched impactful communication initiatives to strengthen and advance government communication. These initiatives should enhance government communication programmes through innovative tools, effective communication with the public, or inspiring governments to launch projects aligned with the youth campaign’s message.Eligibility criteria include alignment with the general objectives of government communication, such as promoting transparency, raising public awareness, and encouraging youth participation in public affairs. Sustainability, with a clear plan for continuity and development, is also preferred. Additionally, inclusivity and diversity in age, gender, and cultural background are integral criteria, along with compliance with local and international laws and adherence to high ethical standards.Best Official SpokespersonThe Best Official Spokesperson (employed in a government agency) award honours second-line official spokespersons who have demonstrated impactful delivery of government messages, efficiently managing crises, professionalism and innovation, and creating significant positive impact. The winner will be determined based on the media presence, use of various media platforms to enhance their organisation’s image and achieve strategic goals, commitment to ethical and professional standards, adaptability to changes, and the ability to present information innovatively and creatively.Best Purposeful Digital Content CreatorThe Best Purposeful Digital Content Creator awards recognize exceptional individuals in two age categories: one for creators over 18 and another for those under 18. These awards honor content creators who use digital media to make a positive impact. The content must have a tangible impact on society. Applicants are expected to showcase exceptional skills and creativity using digital tools to publish content on social media platforms and achieve wide interaction and continuous engagement.Best Research in Communication SciencesThe Best Research in Communication Sciences is awarded to research that contributes to the development of government communication and presents new and innovative communication technologies, methodologies, and applications. Eligible research must be endorsed by reputable academic institutions or have gained wide recognition and appreciation among readers and professionals, demonstrating a deep understanding of government communication objectives and effectively contributing to achieving them.Submission criteriaTo ensure a successful submission to the SGCA, applicants are advised to submit an executive summary not exceeding 250 words, as well as a comprehensive and organised 1,000 words file that uses headings, paragraphs, and illustrations to support the submission in addition to a summary or table of contents as an overview of the file. It is also recommended that the award file include introductory attachments such as infographics, videos, and photos, all of which must meet the specific criteria of the award category. Participants can submit their works that meet the award's criteria through the website, where comprehensive details about the categories, criteria, and participation requirements for each have been provided.