Today July 16, communications professionals around the world are celebrating the global public relations day. Wherever you are today, whatever you’re doing, I want you to remember that we all have a role to play in making sure we use the influence and power that communication brings, for good.
The world is at a crossroad and it seems like these times are unprecedented. But we’ve been here before. And we will come out on the other side better and stronger; even more united if we understand that as individuals, governments and organizations plan and act and communicate, we all have a duty to embrace and encourage truth and honesty; a duty to build trust and credibility; to move the world forward, make it better.
I’d like to express my appreciation to everyone working in public relations from all over the world coming together today to celebrate what is in my view one of the most important professions in the world.
I encourage us to take a look at the world around us. If we are not happy with what we see, if we are not happy with what is going on, if we are worried about the years ahead, then I must request that we recommit ourselves to using our skills, our talent, our work, our profession, our tools to do our bit in making the society significantly better.
It is important to understand the role that public relations plays in times of conflict, in times of war; the role we play in helping individuals and organisations do and be good. The role that we play in upping governments, do and be good and the role we play and making sure that honesty, truth, ethics, and fairness are prioritised in times when the most vulnerable are at most risk.
As we have discussions today across different seminars, webinars, workshops and conferences around the world; as we listen and communicate and contribute and brainstorm, I want to encourage you to have at the back of your mind that we are entering into a new world order. We deceive ourselves if we think that we have an idea of what the next five, ten years would look like, but we have a duty to continue to listen and learn, so we may be able to provide the right counsel that can guide those that we represent; those that we work for, and with.
But it’s also not just a day to think, you know, and talk and brainstorm and workshop. It is a day to also celebrate all the greatness of the past year; all the great work, and initiatives and accomplishments. It is a day to celebrate. And we all deserve it. I want you to at the end of the day kick your shoes off, kick your sandals off, pour yourself a drink; celebrate yourself, celebrate colleagues, celebrate the practice. I look forward to celebrating with everyone and I hope that we can continue to hold our heads high that we are part of the solution and not part of the problem.
Thank you, and happy celebrations