As someone that has for some time contributed to its leadership as a Board Member, I am proud to be the 50th President of IPRA, the International Public Relations Association. IPRA, the oldest and deepest-rooted international institution in PR, reaches its 59th anniversary in 2014.

When I first became a member of IPRA, for me it was a place to network, to exchange ideas that could represent the PR sector in my country, Turkey, and an institution where I could learn and develop. Along the way I started taking on administrative duties and experienced the pleasure of volunteering and contributing to our profession.

Today we are going through changes in communication along with changes in the global economy and geopolitics. While traditional means of communication have become less relevant, there is no change to the relevance of public relations itself.

I believe the “emotional” factor in PR is becoming more and more important. In 2014 I will be focusing on member relations and the recruitment of new members for IPRA. 2014 will be a year of “empathy” for IPRA.

I am aware of my responsibility as President of IPRA. It is not easy filling the shoes of my predecessors: 49 IPRA Past Presidents and Members Emeritus who made IPRA what it is today. All I can hope is that I will continue to support the work that they all started.

As I take on the duty of Presidency from Christophe Ginisty I know it will be difficult to follow his path. Christophe was a valued President of IPRA having contributed much to the institution.