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IPRA launched new code of ethics for lobbyists during the inauguration ceremony of Philip Sheppard – IPRA president for 2007
Brussels, 26 January 2007 IPRA’s new president presented the code of ethics in Brussels last weekend. The capital of EU appeared to be the right place for launch of new code of ethics for lobbyists considering that the number of lobbyists are working currently in Brussels.
Speaking at his inauguration ceremony in Brussels IPRA’s incoming President Philip Sheppard said: “Given recent events in one of PR’s disciplines, that of public affairs, be they negative scandals in the US or positive endeavours such as the European Union's transparency initiative, I have chosen as a theme for 2007 Ethics in PR. Our new Code of Brussels is a global code of conduct for public affairs practitioners. The code simultaneously lays down an ethical set of guidelines and reminds the world of the 50 year heritage of IPRA’s Codes of Venice and Athens”.
The first person to receive officially copy of IPRA “code of Brussels” was Commissioner Siim Kallas, Vice President European Commission.
Sharing the platform with Kallas and Sheppard were Anthony C. Grayling, Professor of Applied Philosophy, Birkbeck College, University of London, who spoke on the subject of “A Question of Ethics” and Erik Jonnaert, General Manager External Relations Western Europe for P&G and chairman of the managing board of the European Centre for Public Affairs.
In his speech of welcome to over 150 representatives of the PR world and the Brussels lobbyists community Philip Sheppard reflected on the forthcoming year: “2007 sees the launch of new plans for IPRA. We will continue to provide significant services and networking opportunities to our members, and to lead effective communications via an upgraded website. 2007 will see further contributions to intellectual leadership with our Gold Papers joining magazine FrontLine as a web-based freely-accessible product. In 2007 we will add to the stature and popularity of the Golden World Awards for Excellence with new categories that better reflect the needs of markets and sponsors, and an award ceremony as appealing for winners as it is entertaining for attendees. Moreover we will work hard this year on what promises to be the largest ever IPRA World Congress in Beijing in 2008”.
The inauguration itself was hosted by the UK government at the residence of Sir John Grant, the UK's ambassador to the EU.
The event was held with the kind support of Fleishman-Hillard.