As the curtain falls on WPRF 2024, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2024. Co-hosted by Perhumas, the Indonesia Public Relations Association, on the stunning island of Bali, your presence and participation made this year’s forum an outstanding success.

From insightful panel discussions to thought-provoking keynote addresses, the energy and engagement brought by each delegate have truly enriched the event. Together, we explored innovative ideas, exchanged valuable knowledge, and forged meaningful connections to shape the future of public relations.

During the Indonesia Young Public Relations Gathering 2024, held on the final day of the WPRF 2024, Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya Mangkunegoro X, the leader of the Mangkunegaran Kingdom in Surakarta, Indonesia, delivered a speech on "Purposeful Social Change Through Culture."

The theme of collective responsibility was echoed by Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya Mangkunegoro X, leader of the Mangkunegaran Kingdom in Surakarta, Indonesia, who spoke passionately about the role of culture in shaping the future. “Culture evolves,” he said. “It becomes a part of daily life and needs to align with the context of its era to remain relevant.” The Mangkunegaran Kingdom’s “culturefuture” initiative offers a blueprint for integrating tradition with innovation. It encompasses mental health, education, environmental sustainability, and the arts, demonstrating that culture is not a relic but a dynamic force for progress.

“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow,” declared Boy Kelana, Chairman of PERHUMAS, as he opened the final day of the Indonesia Young Public Relations Gathering 2024 in Bali. These words reverberated through the conference, a resounding call for young professionals to not only dream of a better future but to actively build it. Youth, with its inherent energy, creativity, and audacity, has the potential to shape a world that is responsible, inclusive, and sustainable. For public relations professionals, the message was unequivocal: the time to lead with purpose is now.

Public relations (PR) professionals stand at a critical juncture where their leadership and influence are being tested like never before. Across industries and communities, they have led vital initiatives in sustainability, collaboration, and trust-building. Yet the demands placed on PR by stakeholders, society, and even the profession itself have raised the bar to unprecedented heights. Now, more than ever, PR professionals are expected to act not only as strategic communicators but as the ethical conscience and driving force of their organizations—a role that requires them to embody both the head and heart of leadership.

Collaborative Alliance for Collective Impact session at the Indonesia PR Convention, with several Indonesia’s PR and Communications Associations led by Perhumas – Indonesia Public Relations Association and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs.

The session brought together key players in public relations and communications to discuss innovative strategies for fostering impactful collaboration across sectors. With a focus on aligning efforts to address pressing national and global challenges, the event underscored the importance of synergy in achieving collective goals.

Public relations stands at a transformative juncture. With the increasing prominence of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and intensifying compliance expectations, PR professionals are uniquely positioned to lead ethical governance and drive social change. Many practitioners have long championed societal progress, using their platforms to amplify marginalised voices, foster transparency, and address complex global challenges. Now, the profession must formalise this role by embedding ethics at the core of its identity and practices.

In an age of fractured trust and relentless skepticism, communication professionals face unparalleled challenges. Trust in governments, media, and institutions has reached historically low levels, as demonstrated by the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer. It paints a bleak picture: institutions are seen as either competent or ethical, rarely both. For communication professionals, this dual failure presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Trust, power, and influence—long at the heart of public relations—have become critical tools for navigating this volatile landscape.

The winners of the prestigious World Public Relations and Communication Awards 2024 have been unveiled!

This year’s awards program attracted over 100 entries from across the globe, with 19 exceptional campaigns and initiatives emerging victorious in their respective categories. Winners were selected by a distinguished panel of judges comprising renowned industry experts and communicators worldwide.

The awards ceremony took place on November 20 during the World Public Relations Forum at the scenic Merusaka Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia.

Here is the full list of winners and their categories:

The Board of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management held its in-person meeting on November 18, 2024, in Bali, Indonesia . The session was scheduled ahead of the highly anticipated World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2024, co-hosted by Perhumas, the Indonesia Public Relations Association.

The Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management has unveiled the 2024 edition of the PR & Communication Trends and Insights from around the World report. Prepared by Prof. Dalien René Benecke and Prof. Corné Meintjes from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, this comprehensive report provides a global overview of the public relations profession, reflecting trends and challenges across diverse markets.