International Public Relations Association (IPRA) emphasizes transparency and professional education in first UAE chapter meeting

The International Public Relations Association (IPRA) recently held its UAE chapter's first meeting at the Emarat Headquarters, Dubai. The event was chaired by Abdullah Abulhoul, National Chair for IPRA's UAE chapter, and was hosted by Emarat.

The first UAE chapter meeting discussed the issues and challenges facing Public Relations (PR) professionals and stressed the need for developing further the image of the industry by educating its practicing members. There were also calls to further the membership of IPRA in the UAE by inculcating additional members to the association.

Speaking at the event, Abdullah Abulhoul stated,

"The need of the day is to stimulate the public relations industry and uplift its image by mutual exchange of globally accepted best practices and the sharing of accepted common standards. The public relations profession is governed by strict codes of conduct, and our aim is to make practicing members aware of these via a networking body that facilitates lateral interaction and knowledge sharing. A key requirement for further progress is to educate members in accepted 'best practice', and such a step will bear benefit not only for individual careers but the industry as a whole."

IPRA is among the world's leading associations for communications professionals, with a PR network spanning more than 1000 members in over 96 countries to link with all major national PR associations.

Also speaking at the event, Kazim Hussain, Manager, Corporate Communications, Emarat, said, "Every industry needs a professional platform that facilitates the growth of its member bodies, and IPRA will prove a consolidating first step to integrate occasionally fragmented PR practices to common standards. IPRA is the premier public relations network in the world, and assures members of constant support in striving towards consistency in excellence. IPRA will help modern PR practitioners engage with pertinent issues and challenges confronting the industry today, and will go a long way towards further establishing the credibility of public relations as a profession."

The meeting also discussed IPRA's upcoming conference on "Reputation Management in a Changing World," slated to be held at the JW Mariott Golf Resort in Cairo from January 21st - 23rd, 2006, drawing in top practitioners and leading experts to chair discussion panels and hold workshops. The event will be moderated by former CNN anchor, John Defterios, and will feature a number of high caliber international speakers.

"The Cairo conference is an ideal networking opportunity, and participants will get a chance to interact with international IPRA members and professionals servicing other markets, allowing for a global understanding of public relations practicing. The conference is certain to be a must-attend event and will be a highly definitive platform for furthering the interests of public relations professionals worldwide," concluded Abulhoul.