Dubai: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) will organise the fourth edition of the DXB500 Government Communication Training Programme as part of the Arab Media Summit 2026.The fourth cohort comprises 60 communication professionals from government and semi-government entities in Dubai. The programme supports Dubai’s vision to enhance the professional capabilities and readiness of national talent specialising in government communication.This year’s edition marks the first time that DXB500 will be held as part of the Arab Media Summit, giving participants access to the expertise and insights of leading media and communication professionals attending the region’s largest media gathering.Participants will also attend sessions at the Government Communication Forum, which will make its debut at this year’s Summit. Featuring prominent local and international speakers, the Forum will examine key trends shaping the future of government communication and showcase advanced practices from around the world. This will give participants greater access to practical expertise and diverse perspectives from across the media and communication sector.Specialised trainingDXB500’s sessions and workshops will focus on two key areas: behavioural insights and crisis communication.The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), a global leader in applying behavioural science to public policy and government services, will deliver a workshop titled ‘Behavioural Insights: Methods and Tools for Government Communication’. The workshop will explore how behavioural science can help communication teams better understand audiences and design government messages that are more relevant and effective.IMI Media Academy, part of the IMI media group and a premier leadership development and training platform, will lead a workshop titled ‘When Crisis Hits: Mastering Communication Under Pressure’. The session will focus on developing communication skills for high-pressure situations and crises, including managing the rapid flow of information, responding to the demands of real-time communication, and delivering clear and accurate messages during exceptional circumstances.Strategic platformHend Fekri, Director of Strategic Media Relations at the Government of Dubai Media Office. Picture credit: SuppliedHend Fekri, Director of Strategic Media Relations at the Government of Dubai Media Office, said: “DXB500 continues to serve as a strategic training and learning platform that supports the development of government communication in Dubai. The programme strengthens the capabilities of communication professionals across government and semi-government entities and prepares them to keep pace with the rapid shifts shaping today’s media landscape.”She added: “Holding DXB500 as part of the Arab Media Summit for the first time creates a unique learning experience that combines specialised practical training, knowledge exchange and the development of communication and storytelling skills. This will contribute to a more effective government communication framework and support the delivery of messages that are clearer, more impactful and more closely connected to audiences.”Practical skillsHuda Dahkooni, Manager of the DXB500 Programme. Picture credit: SuppliedHuda Dahkooni, Manager of the DXB500 Programme, said: “DXB500 seeks to deliver practical content that responds directly to the needs of government communication teams. The programme equips participants with tools and methods that can be applied across different working environments, strengthening their readiness to navigate change and emerging challenges.”“The focus on crisis communication and behavioural insights reflects the importance of developing skills that respond to the evolving nature of government communication and the increasingly complex environment in which communication teams operate,” she added.DXB500 is one of GDMO’s strategic initiatives to advance government communication in Dubai. Through its previous editions, the programme has trained and qualified more than 200 communication and media professionals from government and semi-government entities through integrated, practice-led training.
