IGCF 2024 To Feature Talks By Bear Grylls, Maya Ghazal, And Zachery Dereniowski

The 13th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2024) will take place on September 4-5 at the Expo Centre Sharjah. Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), this event will feature three influential speakers whose transformative journeys have had a global impact.

Celebrated British explorer Bear Grylls will speak on the first day of the forum. Grylls, known for scaling the world’s highest peaks and surviving extreme environments, will share his journey from adventurer to successful entrepreneur. He will discuss how he turned his passion for adventure into a source of global inspiration.

Grylls, author of "The Kid Who Climbed Everest," will recount his transformation from a young boy with dreams of conquering Everest to becoming a globally influential figure. He will delve into his motivations for writing children’s books and discuss how his adventures align with governmental messages and promote adventure tourism.

On the second day, Captain Maya Ghazal, the first Syrian refugee to earn a commercial pilot’s licence, will share her story. Ghazal's journey from refugee to trailblazer highlights her resilience and achievements. She is among the 4-6 percent of female pilots globally and serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.

Ghazal will recount her inspiring story of overcoming adversity to reach her goals. She will highlight the role of traditional and social media in spreading her advocacy for refugees and strategies for creating supportive environments for talented refugees.

Zachery Dereniowski: Spreading Kindness Through Social Media

Zachery Dereniowski, also known as MD Motivator, is renowned for his humanitarian content on social media. With over 30 million followers and more than 10 billion views, Dereniowski has inspired many with his videos on mental health, kindness, and charity. He will speak on the second day of IGCF 2024.

In his speech, Dereniowski will detail his journey of spreading kindness and the importance of direct interaction with his audience. He will discuss the critical role of positive content and social experiments in fostering more cohesive communities.

Building on the forum’s theme, ‘Agile Governments... Innovative Communication,’ these talks will underscore societal figures’ pivotal role in pioneering new communication paradigms. The speakers aim to highlight effective communication's importance in driving positive change and envisioning a better future.

Registration for attendance and participation in IGCF 2024 is available via www.igcc.ae.

Dereniowski will also elaborate on establishing the non-profit organisation Kindness is Cool, which continues his mission of unconditional giving. His experiences transforming fame into sustainable positive impacts that benefit others will be a key focus.

Grylls' talk titled ‘The adventurer who invests in thrilling journeys’ aims to inspire others by sharing valuable lessons from his adventurous experiences that can be applied to the business world.

Ghazal's advocacy includes leveraging refugee talents in host communities. Her speech will emphasise creating supportive environments for talented refugees through media advocacy.

The IGCF 2024 promises insightful discussions from these inspirational figures whose stories exemplify resilience, innovation, and impactful communication strategies.

With inputs from WAM