International PR Body, IPRA Issues Official Statement on Russia- Ukraine Conflict

International PR Body, IPRA Issues Official Statement on Russia- Ukraine Conflict

IPRA, the International Public Relations Association, reaffirms its policy to not become involved in political or religious activity beyond the encouragement of communication as a means of resolving disputes.

IPRA also reaffirms our Code of Conduct which recalls both the Charter of the United Nations which determines “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and in the dignity and worth of the human person”, and the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Moreover, in article 8 of the code we recall that in the conduct of PR, practitioners must “make every effort to not intentionally disseminate false or misleading information, exercise proper care to avoid doing so unintentionally and correct any such act promptly.”

In the context therefore of the conflict in Ukraine, we firstly extend our sympathy to all those whose human rights are affected and state that our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and IPRA members based there.

Secondly, although conflict is ongoing, we call on stakeholders to remember the soft power of communication as a means of resolving disputes.

Furthermore, we remind all parties of the danger of misleading information at such a time and call for clarity and truth.

Donations

Donations are always necessary in a humanitarian crisis such as this. IPRA members and others are urged to help. At the national level please check local news sources for where to donate. At the international level you may donate to the UN Crisis Relief or the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Etsuko Tsugihira
IPRA President 2022