NATO Regional Center Launches 'Crisis Communication' Course

Emad Al-Kandari, Director of the NATO Regional Centre of Excellence and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, emphasized the importance of enhancing media and institutional communication skills and improving the capacity of Gulf personnel in dealing with the media, particularly during crises and emergencies. He made these remarks in an interview with KUNA on the sidelines of the launch of the advanced training course on Public Affairs, titled “Crisis Communication,” hosted by the Centre in collaboration with the Regional Public Affairs Centre in the Republic of North Macedonia. The course runs until October 29 and brings together trainees from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Al-Kandari explained that the course aims to equip participants with advanced communication skills and techniques, professional media appearance mechanisms, and effective crisis communication strategies, thereby strengthening their ability to interact professionally with the media and elevating the level of institutional communication in their daily tasks. He noted that the training program combines theoretical lectures with practical applications, including drafting press releases, conducting media interviews, organizing press conferences, and developing verbal and non-verbal communication skills, as well as monitoring and analyzing media coverage.

He further stressed that the course also focuses on developing participants’ capabilities in managing media communication under various circumstances and crises, contributing to enhancing their readiness to handle media challenges efficiently and professionally.