Charting a Path to Responsible Communication: WPRF 2023 Wraps Up in Chennai, India

The World Public Relations Forum 2023, held in Chennai, India, was a significant gathering that brought together over 600 Public Relations practitioners and academics from various corners of the world. The event featured notable speakers and discussions on pertinent topics in the field of PR.

The opening address at WPRF 2023 was delivered by Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, the Honorable Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services of Tamil Nadu, India, representing the country with a population of 1.4 billion people. Justin Green, President and CEO of Global Alliance, also addressed the audience. The overarching theme of this year’s forum revolved around “Building Goodwill for Greater Good” and explored how PR is evolving and how it can contribute to positive change in the world, with a focus on responsible communication.

During his speech, Justin Green made a noteworthy announcement by launching the “World’s First Online History of Public Relations.” This initiative, created in collaboration with The Museum of Public Relations in the USA, provides a comprehensive exploration of the evolution and impact of public relations across different countries and cultures.

The program featured insightful presentations from various experts, including Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Dr. Michael Preuss, Clara Fontan, Isabel Lara, Subramanyeswar S., and Ritu Jhingon, who addressed topics ranging from integrity in PR to the changing landscape of the field and the Effective communication and its impact on society. These presentations provided valuable insights into the contemporary PR landscape.

The forum concluded with the announcement that Bali, Indonesia, would be the host for the next World Public Relations Forum in November 2024, marking an exciting prospect for the future of global PR discussions.

In addition to the main event, the Global Alliance Board held an in-person meeting with 20 directors representing 18 countries and nationalities. This executive meeting focused on discussing the current and future activities of the organization and revealed that the next annual general meeting (AGM) and in-person meetings would take place in May 2024 in Lima, Peru.

The “World Public Relations and Communication Awards 2023” recognized excellence in the field, with 21 winners from various parts of the world receiving trophies for their outstanding contributions.

Furthermore, Justin Green, President and CEO of the Global Alliance, made a significant move by officially signing a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres. In this letter, he proposed initiating a dialogue to create a new Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) centered around the concept of “responsible communication.” This step highlights the commitment of the PR profession to contribute to global sustainability and ethical communication practices.

Overall, the World Public Relations Forum 2023 in Chennai, India, was powered by The Promise Foundation and Score – School of Communication and Reputation. A pivotal event that showcased the industry’s commitment to responsible communication and its evolving role in a changing world. It provided a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of public relations.