“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow,” declared Boy Kelana, Chairman of PERHUMAS, as he opened the final day of the Indonesia Young Public Relations Gathering 2024 in Bali. These words reverberated through the conference, a resounding call for young professionals to not only dream of a better future but to actively build it. Youth, with its inherent energy, creativity, and audacity, has the potential to shape a world that is responsible, inclusive, and sustainable. For public relations professionals, the message was unequivocal: the time to lead with purpose is now.

Public relations (PR) professionals stand at a critical juncture where their leadership and influence are being tested like never before. Across industries and communities, they have led vital initiatives in sustainability, collaboration, and trust-building. Yet the demands placed on PR by stakeholders, society, and even the profession itself have raised the bar to unprecedented heights. Now, more than ever, PR professionals are expected to act not only as strategic communicators but as the ethical conscience and driving force of their organizations—a role that requires them to embody both the head and heart of leadership.

Collaborative Alliance for Collective Impact session at the Indonesia PR Convention, with several Indonesia’s PR and Communications Associations led by Perhumas – Indonesia Public Relations Association and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs.

The session brought together key players in public relations and communications to discuss innovative strategies for fostering impactful collaboration across sectors. With a focus on aligning efforts to address pressing national and global challenges, the event underscored the importance of synergy in achieving collective goals.

Public relations stands at a transformative juncture. With the increasing prominence of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and intensifying compliance expectations, PR professionals are uniquely positioned to lead ethical governance and drive social change. Many practitioners have long championed societal progress, using their platforms to amplify marginalised voices, foster transparency, and address complex global challenges. Now, the profession must formalise this role by embedding ethics at the core of its identity and practices.

In an age of fractured trust and relentless skepticism, communication professionals face unparalleled challenges. Trust in governments, media, and institutions has reached historically low levels, as demonstrated by the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer. It paints a bleak picture: institutions are seen as either competent or ethical, rarely both. For communication professionals, this dual failure presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Trust, power, and influence—long at the heart of public relations—have become critical tools for navigating this volatile landscape.

The winners of the prestigious World Public Relations and Communication Awards 2024 have been unveiled!

This year’s awards program attracted over 100 entries from across the globe, with 19 exceptional campaigns and initiatives emerging victorious in their respective categories. Winners were selected by a distinguished panel of judges comprising renowned industry experts and communicators worldwide.

The awards ceremony took place on November 20 during the World Public Relations Forum at the scenic Merusaka Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia.

Here is the full list of winners and their categories:

The Board of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management held its in-person meeting on November 18, 2024, in Bali, Indonesia . The session was scheduled ahead of the highly anticipated World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2024, co-hosted by Perhumas, the Indonesia Public Relations Association.

The Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management has unveiled the 2024 edition of the PR & Communication Trends and Insights from around the World report. Prepared by Prof. Dalien René Benecke and Prof. Corné Meintjes from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, this comprehensive report provides a global overview of the public relations profession, reflecting trends and challenges across diverse markets.

On November 14, 2024, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Professor Justin Green, President & CEO of Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, addressed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) representatives on the need for global collaboration on "Responsible Communication." This follows his address to the United Nations on July 24, 2024, where he supported global calls to establish "Responsible Communication" as the new 18th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - which brings together Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam aims to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.

In a recent meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, Prof. Justin Green, President and CEO of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, along with Mateus Furlanetto, CAO, engaged in discussions with leading representatives from the Thailand Public Relations Association (PRTA) to endorse responsible communication practices. The meeting emphasized advancing Thai public relations on a global stage, focusing on fostering growth, supporting Thai PR and communication professionals, and promoting best practices within the industry.