NATO Regional Centre in Kuwait: Enhancing Gulf Staff Competence in Media Relations - Sarmad

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 efficiency of Gulf personnel in dealing with the media, especially during crises and emergencies.

This statement was made by Al-Kandari on the sidelines of the launch of the advanced training course on Public Affairs, titled “Crisis Communication,” hosted by the Centre in cooperation with the Regional Public Affairs Centre of the Republic of North Macedonia. The course, which runs until October 29, is attended by 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. This will enhance their ability to interact professionally with the media and elevate 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, and organizing press conferences. It also focuses on developing verbal and non-verbal communication skills, as well as monitoring and analyzing media coverage.

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