Helping the Profession Meet Global Challenges

As communication speeds around the globe, public relations capabilities are expanding in every nation, according to the Center for Economic Policy Research. At the same time, corporate social responsibility is increasing and becoming more sophisticated. Transparent public relations has become essential for organizations.

Companies that operate or market their products globally must be sensitive to political, economic and cultural differences among nations and regions. Organizations that interact with publics within their own countries and internationally, whether physically or virtually, must build dynamic relationships. 

Increasingly, PR professionals should understand the significant role that communications plays in an interdependent world, as events that occur overseas affect us here in the United States. Companies are sourcing their workforces and supply chains internationally, increasing the need for global communications. 

PRSA’s Global Affairs Task Force

The Global Affairs Task Force provides resources and expert counsel for the PRSA community and its external stakeholders. The group leads discussions, learning and discovery on global subjects and on regional topics with global implications. 

• To provide expert insights, the Global Affairs Task Force has compiled a compendium of PRSA’s past ICON conferences. The team is also developing a speakers bureau to address a variety of global PR topics 
• To convene members and provide context on global affairs, the task force describes opportunities for PRSA members who practice global public relations
• To help educate students, the task force has begun to coordinate webinars on PRSA’s three international PRSSA Chapters. The effort seeks to provide speakers who can engage students internationally
• The task force supports PRSA’s Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication

We need your input

PRSA’s Global Affairs Task Force needs your feedback. To enhance the profession globally, we ask for your involvement and support. 

The team is developing strategies to increase membership among PR professionals who work internationally. To expand ethics in public relations, we intend to build strategic alliances between communications and journalism. 

In an interconnected world, more PR educators and students are teaching and studying outside their countries of origin. By leveraging PRSSA’s international Chapters, we hope to build strategies that will get students involved. To succeed, we need consistent engagement from PRSA members.

July Is Global Affairs Month at PRSA

Planned activities include:

• Town Hall on July 19 at 4 p.m. ET with PRSA Chair Dr. Felicia Blow, APR, and PRSA CEO Linda Thomas Brooks, as well as members of the Global Affairs Task Force
• Webinar outlining roles and responsibilities for global and regional communications teams
• PRsay blog post discussing the implications of global engagement for U.S. practitioners
• Social media content highlighting how global affairs connects to PRSA’s 75th anniversary