Message from the IPRA President:  Proactive communication for world peace April 2026

1 hour, 51 minutes ago

There are huge costs for humanity from war. The human catastrophes include lives cut short of both innocent children as well as soldiers. Families are left grieving and life is disrupted across the world. Worse, modern weapons of war have an even more devastating impact than in previous human eras. And war means the cost of living rises steeply as resources that could improve lives are used for destruction.

What can communicators do?

With such negative impacts on human wellbeing, there is a need for a more proactive approach to communication. An approach to either pre-empt war or bring it to an end as quickly as possible. This should involve comprehensive coverage in the media of the severe damage that results from war.

Mediation attempts in the US–Iran conflict reflect the importance of striving for re-establishing communication between warring parties. Public relations professionals should recognize their potential to make contributions using their professional capabilities. We need to act proactively and collectively to build bridges among peoples across the world.

We encourage PR professionals throughout the world to be champions of peace. They must lead in proactively seeking to bring about not only a de-escalation of conflict, but also the achievement of better mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence. That is to pursue the theme of this year: HUMANITY IN HARMONY.

What can IPRA do ?

IPRA stands for peace and has a long history of bringing together national PR organisations from all over the world. They now number over 50. Equally, IPRA is proud of the longstanding association with the United Nations and its institutions. Our actions endorse the UN motto: "Peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet."

The value of the United Nations framework, established in the aftermath of World War II, for ensuring an international order that would avoid future wars is even more pertinent today. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out the global priorities for nations and IPRA helps promote these goals every year. The Golden World Awards, which are open for entry now, supports excellence in PR practice and the Global Contribution Award recognises a campaign with an objective of meeting one of the UN's SDGs. 

Further, IPRA endorsed the International Declaration of Communications Professionals and Researchers for a Healthier, Viable, Better World, the fifth anniversary of which comes up this month. Amidst the crises that the world faces today, that Declaration is a clarion call to communications professionals and researchers, highlighting our responsibility to make interventions that truly help attain the aspiration to “a Healthier, Viable, Better World.” War endangers health and makes the world less viable.

Seeking harmony

Peace is the foundation of the quest to overcome obstacles to human development. So, working towards peace right now must be at the forefront of our strivings as communications professionals. Communication holds the key to harmonious, peaceful co-existence. Let us work to achieve HUMANITY IN HARMONY.  

Kind regards,

Esther Cobbah

IPRA President 2026

• ← Message from the IPRA President:  Humanity in Harmony – Climate Change February 2026