2025 Mid-Point Reflections

CIPR International
Jul 12
3 min read

Dear colleagues and friends,

We began 2025 with bold ambitions: to amplify CIPR International’s impact, elevate global perspectives, and champion professional excellence across borders. Six months in, it is clear we’re not only on course but gathering momentum.

Together, we’re shaping a more connected, inclusive and forward-thinking global PR community – one milestone at a time.

🌍 Welcoming fresh voices and strengthening our global footprint

This year began with a clear vision for continued impact and progress (Chair’s 2025 message). We’ve welcomed six new committee members: Abrar Mikkawi, Eunice Asantewaa Ankomah, Katy Granville, Gavrielle Kirk-Cohen, Jared Meade and Oluwayemisi Adekunle (get to know them here and here). With their arrivals in January and May respectively, our committee footprint now spans 26 members across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. This diversity strengthens our ability to reflect and respond to the realities of global communication today.

🌟 Celebrating achievements and recognition

We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our members and committee:

Former CIPR International Chair Samantha Seewoosurrun has been appointed to CIPR Council, where she brings global insight to the Institute’s strategy, whilst also ensuring great liaison to our Committee’s efforts.
Committee member Thanzyl Thajuddeen attained Chartered PR Practitioner status, a significant professional milestone that highlights his commitment to excellence and contributes to the growing goal to increase the number of Chartered practitioners globally.
We celebrated our Vice Chair - Saad Alrubaiaan – for his recognition in the CIPR Volunteer Awards 2025. Saad was recognised under “Leading Practice Development Champions”.
Committee member Jared Meade was honoured with the Outstanding Freelancer of the Year award at the 2025 Davos Communications Awards, a global recognition presented by the World Communications Forum Association (WCFA).
I was pleased to be named among the distinguished winners of the PRO PR Globe People Achievement Award for 2024 for exceptional contribution to the field of communications.
And this year has seen significant engagement with CIPR HQ, as we work more closely than ever to champion the voices and needs of international members, including efforts within EDI, governance and risk.

📚 Insights, learning and connection

In the first six months, we hosted two thought-provoking webinars:

“Breaking Barriers: The Power of Intercultural Dialogue in Shaping Inclusive Narratives”, exploring how empathy and cultural fluency can reshape narratives (watch the recording).
“Ethics in Social Marketing: Transforming Public Relations”, in collaboration with our colleagues from the CIPR Health Committee (watch the recording).

Our blog has also become a hub of insight, featuring:

“Why Public Relations Deserve a Seat at the Boardroom Table” (read here)
“My Journey to Becoming a Chartered PR Practitioner: Reflections and Tips” from newly chartered committee member Abrar Mikkawi (read here)
“EDI is Everyone’s Responsibility” with practical inclusion tips for PR professionals (read here)
“More Than Words: Reframing Inclusion Through Intercultural Dialogue” (read more)
The Ethical Tightrope: Navigating Power in PR and Public Campaigns” (read more).

🌱 Cultivating inclusion and celebrating diversity

Proud of the depth of talent and diversity of international members of the PR community, we have launched a Call for Entries to celebrate member diversity in our “Yes to PR” campaign, looking to spotlight the many incredible people the world over who make our industry what it is (see more).

In this same breath, it would be remiss of me not to commend and celebrate our committee members and wider member base for phenomenal accolades achieved, juries sat on, panels partaken in and more. Each contribution to raising the standard and recognition of PR remains something to be celebrated.

🔮 Looking ahead

The second half of 2025 promises even greater opportunities to deepen our impact and extend our reach. We’ve begun some great work on planning online events around AI, misinformation and disinformation, as well as efforts towards the annual Maggie Nally Memorial Lecture, to name a few.