Global Alliance Champion
Responsible Communication
to the European Commission
Brussels, Belgium – April 15, 2025
The Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management continued its global advocacy for Responsible Communication when addressing the European Commission. Prof. Justin Green, President & CEO of the Global Alliance, highlighted the importance of global cooperation in promoting ethical and inclusive communication practices.
The engagement followed a direct request to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and a scheduled meeting with Director-General for Communication, Dana Spinant. Today´s meeting was led by Sophia Eriksson Waterschoot, Deputy Director-General for Communication at the European Commission, and attended by Simona Pilko, Policy Assistant to Director for Political Communication, along with Mateus Furlanetto, Chief Administrative Officer of Global Alliance.
Prof. Green emphasised the growing urgency of integrating Responsible Communication into policymaking and global development strategies. Building on previous presentations to the United Nations (UN), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the World Bank Group, he called for the recognition of Responsible Communication as the 18th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
“At a time when trust in institutions is being tested, Responsible Communication must serve as a global standard,” said Prof. Justin Green. “It is not only about how we communicate, but about the values that guide our communication—truth, empathy, accountability, and inclusion. This is essential to solving the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Global Alliance’s call for action underscores its long-standing commitment to fostering communication that is ethical, inclusive, factual, and empathetic. At the heart of this initiative is a 10-point framework outlining the principles of Responsible Communication:
Principles of Responsible Communication
01. Open dialogue about global challenges, such as climate change, poverty reduction and democracy.
02. Consider dialogue as the most powerful weapon.
03. Freedom of opinion and press.
04. Ethical approach to organizational and institutional communications, based on facts.
05. Fight against fake news, misinformation and any kind of propaganda.
06. Educate individuals to use their ‘communication powers’, especially through social media responsibly.
07. Public and private support for rigorous and accountable journalism.
08. Support diversity, inclusion and gender equality.
09. Empathy to those who suffer from hunger, poverty, lack of opportunities, war, forced migrations and all discriminations.
10. Positive and inclusive language.
As global communication becomes increasingly interconnected, Global Alliance continues to position Responsible Communication as a vital force for sustainable development and societal resilience.
Prof. Justin Green, President & CEO of the Global Alliance and Sophia Eriksson Waterschoot, Deputy Director-General for Communication at the European Commission, Brussels, Belgium.