Global Public Relations experts will converge for the 28th Edition of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference at the Calabar International Convention Centre, Calabar, Nigeria, between May 24-27, 2016.
The African Public Relations Association (APRA) is the central and most significant interaction platform for the practice of public relations in Africa. It was founded in 1975 as the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA) in Nairobi, Kenya. The association was later re-registered in Nigeria as the African Public Relations Association (APRA) in 2008. APRA is a non-governmental, non-political, and non-profit making professional association, established to foster unity via interaction and exchange of ideas amongst public relations practitioners in Africa as a whole, and through communication, promote social, political and economic integration on the continent.
The remarkable cultural diversity boasted by the African continent holds much promise for the effective engagement of the untapped creative potential that is inherent in the continent. With the highest amount of countries in the world and accounting for around 15% of the world's population, Africa is estimated to have over 2000 different ethnic groups, which form the demography of the continent. More so, between 2000 and 3000 languages are spoken in Africa, making for a rich and varied socio-cultural landscape.
Themed ‘Leapfrogging Africa: The Role of Communication’.
Speaking at the identity unveiling of the APRA Calabar 2016, the Secretary General of the Association, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okujaye, noted that part of the self-explanatory theme is to critically look at the role of Communication in Africa in this 21st century. His words: "The key to the challenges of Africa lies in communication. When we look at the issues of economic emancipation, infrastructural deficit, improved governance, citizens’ engagement etc, communication has a most significant role to play and it is against this backdrop that we have chosen to discuss and proffer solutions".
The APRA Calabar 2016 conference will be uniquely different because it promises to be a perfect blend of business and pleasure as delegates will savour Calabar’s unique cuisine, experience its cultural heritage and visit an array of tourism destinations. It will also strengthen the capacity building of members as this particular conference will feature plenary sessions, keynote addresses, workshops, sightseeing, films & musical shows, networking opportunities, exhibition and a Calabar Night.
APRA Calabar 2016 will parade an array of renowned speakers, including His Excellency Erastus Mwencha, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group, Bart de Vries, the President of International Public Relations Association (IPRA), Maxim Behar, President International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) and five (5) major PR networks namely; Weber Shandwick, Fleishman Hilliard, Hill & Knowton, Grayling and Burson Marsteller.
Other speakers include Robyn de Villiers, Chairman and CEO of Burson Marsteller Africa who has well over 25 years of strategic communications experience advising clients across multiple sectors including privately-owned companies to multinationals, NGO’s and government bodies.
APRA Calabar 2016 is not only for professionals in public relations but also for those in advertising, branding, broadcasting, publishing, film making, print journalism, news media and related fields. It is expected that at the end of the conference, participants will be better equipped for optimal performance and we would have raised the bar of our dear profession.
The African Public Relations Association (APRA) is the central and most significant interaction platform for the practice of public relations in Africa. It was founded in 1975 as the Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA) in Nairobi, Kenya. The association was later re-registered in Nigeria as the African Public Relations Association (APRA) in 2008. APRA is a non-governmental, non-political, and non-profit making professional association, established to foster unity via interaction and exchange of ideas amongst public relations practitioners in Africa as a whole, and through communication, promote social, political and economic integration on the continent.
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| From Left;Kate Henshaw, Ambassador for African Public Relations Association[APRA]; Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, Secretary General,African Public Relations Association[APRA];Chief Mrs. Obo Edet,State Chairman NIPR and Mr John Ehiguese, President, PRCAN, at the Identity Unveiling of APRA Calabar 2016 Conference in Lagos on 24th of March 2016. |
The remarkable cultural diversity boasted by the African continent holds much promise for the effective engagement of the untapped creative potential that is inherent in the continent. With the highest amount of countries in the world and accounting for around 15% of the world's population, Africa is estimated to have over 2000 different ethnic groups, which form the demography of the continent. More so, between 2000 and 3000 languages are spoken in Africa, making for a rich and varied socio-cultural landscape.
Themed ‘Leapfrogging Africa: The Role of Communication’.
Speaking at the identity unveiling of the APRA Calabar 2016, the Secretary General of the Association, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okujaye, noted that part of the self-explanatory theme is to critically look at the role of Communication in Africa in this 21st century. His words: "The key to the challenges of Africa lies in communication. When we look at the issues of economic emancipation, infrastructural deficit, improved governance, citizens’ engagement etc, communication has a most significant role to play and it is against this backdrop that we have chosen to discuss and proffer solutions".
The APRA Calabar 2016 conference will be uniquely different because it promises to be a perfect blend of business and pleasure as delegates will savour Calabar’s unique cuisine, experience its cultural heritage and visit an array of tourism destinations. It will also strengthen the capacity building of members as this particular conference will feature plenary sessions, keynote addresses, workshops, sightseeing, films & musical shows, networking opportunities, exhibition and a Calabar Night.
APRA Calabar 2016 will parade an array of renowned speakers, including His Excellency Erastus Mwencha, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group, Bart de Vries, the President of International Public Relations Association (IPRA), Maxim Behar, President International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) and five (5) major PR networks namely; Weber Shandwick, Fleishman Hilliard, Hill & Knowton, Grayling and Burson Marsteller.
Other speakers include Robyn de Villiers, Chairman and CEO of Burson Marsteller Africa who has well over 25 years of strategic communications experience advising clients across multiple sectors including privately-owned companies to multinationals, NGO’s and government bodies.
APRA Calabar 2016 is not only for professionals in public relations but also for those in advertising, branding, broadcasting, publishing, film making, print journalism, news media and related fields. It is expected that at the end of the conference, participants will be better equipped for optimal performance and we would have raised the bar of our dear profession.
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