An Al Noor Mosque Surrounded with City Buildings at Night
An Al Noor Mosque Surrounded with City Buildings at Night - Al Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Abid Bin Nazar/Pexels.com

The Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA) announced four new categories, focusing on young individuals with leading communication initiatives, official spokespersons representing government institutions, academics and researchers, and digital content creators.

These individuals are expected to transform the media landscape with their creativity. The Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) invited people worldwide to participate in the 11th edition of the SGCA.

The nominations are being accepted through www.igcc.ae until Aug. 1, as per WAM.

The SGCA explained the categories, starting with the Best Youth Initiative in Government Communication category, dedicated to individuals or youth groups that have launched impactful communication initiatives to boost government communication.

To be eligible for this category, a person or group should be aligned with the general objectives of government communication, including promoting transparency, raising public awareness, and encouraging youth participation in public affairs.

Furthermore, sustainability, 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.

The second category is the Best Official Spokesperson (employed in a government agency) award that would be given to a person demonstrating impactful delivery of government messages, efficiently managing crises, professionalism, innovation, and creating significant positive impact.

The winner will be selected based on the media presence, use of various media platforms to enhance their organization's image and achieve strategic goals, commitment to ethical and professional standards, adaptability to changes and the ability to present information innovatively and creatively.

The third category of Best Purposeful Digital Content Creator would acknowledge individuals in two age categories: over 18 and under 18.

These content creators must have a tangible impact on society and to win the award, they need to showcase their skills and creativity using digital tools to publish content on social media platforms and achieve engagement.

The fourth category is Best Research in Communication Sciences, which will focus on the individual who contributes to the development of government communication and presents new and innovative communication technologies, methodologies, and applications.

To be eligible in this category, a person must be endorsed by reputable academic institutions or have gained wide recognition and appreciation among readers and professionals.

To submit successfully to the SGCA, applicants should include an executive summary of up to 250 words and a detailed 1,000-word file with headings, paragraphs, and illustrations. This file should also have a summary or table of contents. It is recommended to include attachments like infographics, videos, and photos that fit the award category's criteria.