Sharjah: Secretary-General of the Ministry of Government Communication, Zaid Nawaiseh, emphasized the pivotal role of modern and traditional communication tools in building trust and fostering interaction between the state and society. He spoke at a session titled “Using Government Communication to Build Sustainable Lifestyles” during the 14th International Government Communication Forum in Sharjah.
According to Jordan News Agency, Nawaiseh highlighted that government communication is vital for development and modernization, stressing that it should go beyond mere information dissemination to include decision explanation, policy simplification, and public awareness enhancement regarding civic responsibilities. Jordan’s approach to government communication, showcased through a program aimed at using communication to improve quality of life and foster sustainable partnerships, received widespread approval from forum participants.
Nawaiseh stated that the ministry’s strategy aligns with national modernization tracks-political, economic, and administrative-and the Sustainable Development Goals. Institutional media plans have been crafted to regularly promote cabinet decisions through a network of official spokespersons, improving transparency and keeping citizens informed of government actions.
He highlighted the Government Communication Forum, initiated by the ministry to elucidate cabinet decisions and discuss priority issues, as a permanent channel for direct engagement, allowing the government to present its efforts openly while providing real-time updates to the media and the public.
Nawaiseh emphasized the necessity of cultivating constructive media relations and empowering media to highlight achievements, identify shortcomings, and hold institutions accountable, thus reinforcing reform and modernization. He presented the forum as a new model of government communication based on live engagement between officials and journalists, which helps clarify national priorities, counter misinformation, and streamline messaging, strengthening the partnership between government and society.
The “Ida’at” (Spotlights) program was also introduced, focusing on digital media issues in a youth-friendly language through short videos on social media platforms. Developed with academics, experts, and media literacy trainers, the program aims to raise awareness of key media concepts in an engaging manner.
Nawaiseh also shared Jordan’s vision for advancing digital media, which includes integrating artificial intelligence tools, data analysis, live broadcasting, and interactive platforms to strengthen connections with audiences, expand coverage, and enable media to play a larger role in shaping public opinion responsibly.
He stressed the importance of media keeping pace with digital transformation and adopting a role that builds civic capacity and fosters active citizenship, positioning communication as a national force supporting sustainability and broader social participation.
Nawaiseh detailed how the ministry uses integrated tools to promote active citizenship in sustainability, including national awareness campaigns, digital platforms for citizen feedback, and dialogue sessions and workshops across social groups to inform public policy.
He underscored the importance of media and community education in embedding media literacy values, empowering citizens to critically assess information and recognize their role in resource and service sustainability. Media must act as a partner in promoting sustainability messages and positive values through specialized programs, reports, and success stories.
The forum concluded with the announcement of the 2025 Sharjah Government Communication Award winners, recognizing innovation and excellence in global communication practices. Over two days, the event, themed “Communication for Quality of Life,” hosted 237 participants from 110 institutions representing official, academic, and media sectors worldwide.