May 2006

Dear Colleagues and Friends

Global Survey on the economic impact of the profession
There is still time to complete this first-ever global survey of the profession. To date 561 entries have been received from 31 countries.

Please go to www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=328121732322 to count yourself in. Responses are not tracked back to individuals and the data will only be used in aggregate analysis. The GA will provide tabular reports for their country to members of the GA and will compile a global analysis of the date collected.

3rd World Public Relations Festival
The 3rd World Public Relations Festival (WPRF) from 26-28 June is in the home stretch. Organizers in Brasilia have assembled a solid line up of speakers from around the world who will discuss the power of public relations in shaping a better world. Read about the Festival at www.grupolabor.com/congresso2006.

If the conference programme is a good enough reason to attend on its own, you should also be aware by now that Brasilia is the site of the Annual General Meeting of GA leaders. Important matters will be discussed at this annual meeting: we will elect two new executive board members, discuss a new governance proposal that fosters greater engagement of GA partners and will review financial statements as well as strategic plan projects. If you cannot attend the AGM, we urge to send your proxies to the secretariat at: susanr@prisa.co.za. 

Collaboration with the World Bank
We are very pleased to announce a formal collaboration with the World Bank. The Global Alliance will offer a two-part, half-day presentation at the Third World Public Relations Festival in Brasilia on 27 June - reports on Global Alliance progress and prospects by Sej Motau, Chair, and Colin Farrington, Chair Elect, respectively; and an overview and case histories on the GA's new relationship with The World Bank focusing on the bank's "Communication for Development" programme.

Following its authoritative presence to the opening session of the Second World Public Relations Festival in Trieste, the World Bank has intensified its relationship with the Global Alliance intending to foster exchange of experience and best practices in the field of communication for development.

Specifically Paul Mitchell, the manager of external relations of the World Bank, will be a guest speaker at the GA World PR Festival in Brasilia at end June 2006 in a session dedicated to communication for development.

Also, the Alliance has accepted to take care of a session dedicated to 'the changing role of public relations in the strategic and management process of complex organisations' as part of the World Summit Communication for Development organised by the World Bank, which will be held in Rome in October 2006. The GA Chair, Sej Motau, has accepted to participate on the Advisory Board of that Summit.

New PR Landscapes
We are finalizing a series of new "Landscapes" profiles for our website. Under the able direction of Juan-Carlos Molleda, the following country profiles will be published shortly: Finland, Georgia, Poland, and Portugal. Our sincere thanks to the PRIME and University of Florida (UF) students who worked under the direction of Juan-Carlos to prepare these profiles.

In addition, Juan-Carlos is working with UF graduate and undergraduate students on the production of the USA and Venezuelan Public Relations Landscapes with the sponsorship of the PRSA Foundation. These documents are expected to be finalized in June 2006 and promise to set new standards for the development of future country profiles. Finally, CIPR in London is revising a draft of the UK Landscape.

PR Landscapes are available to download from the Global Alliance Knowledge Centre.

Sharing best practice
The dissemination of knowledge is a key priority for the GA. To that end we have as you know announced a partnership with DM management from Switzerland, who have developed a database and software package designed to share cutting edge knowledge and best practices for public relations. GA partner organizations will be contacted shortly by the DM management team to determine their interest in participating in this effort.

Your comments and participation in GA activities are always welcome.

Best regards

Sejamothopo Motau, FPRISA
Chair, Global Alliance

Newsletter archive Click on the links below for past editions of the Alliance newsletter:
	April 2006
	December 2005
	August 2005
	May 2005
	March 2005
	End of year report 2004
	November 2004
	Summer 2004
	Spring 2004
	November 2003
	September 2003
	June 2003
	March 2003
	November 2002