THE Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Institute of Public Relations and Communication Zimbabwe (IPRCZ) have formed a strategic partnership to advance public relations excellence globally.
The British-based CIPR is the world’s only “Royal Chartered” professional body for public relations practitioners with over 11 000 members.
The partnership is designed to facilitate knowledge sharing and research collaboration, the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, joint training and development programmes and enhanced networking opportunities between members of both bodies.
In a statement, CIPR president Rachael Clamp said the partnership with IPRCZ demonstrated their pride in promoting global excellence and ethics in public relations, fulfilling their Royal Charter mission.
“Expanding our global network and promoting leading and ethical practice in public relations across the world and in line with our Royal Charter is something we’re proud of and this partnership with IPRCZ is the latest great example of how we do this,” she said.
As the global communications landscape evolves, the demand for skilled and knowledgeable public relations professionals has increased.
The partnership offers local practitioners the chance to access high-quality training, resources and certification programmes, promoters of the project say.
By becoming chartered public relations professionals, this would allow them to gain recognition on an international scale, opening doors to opportunities once thought unattainable.
IPRCZ president and chairperson Fungai Murahwa said the partnership was a key step in the advancement for both the profession and the country.
“This partnership is a positive development for Zimbabwe as a nation. It represents an opportunity for PR practitioners to enhance their skills and achieve a level of international recognition that was previously beyond reach. We urge all PR professionals and employers to take this seriously. The time to invest in your career is now,” he said.
“For PR professionals looking to distinguish themselves in a competitive job market, becoming a chartered PR is a crucial step.
“It signals to employers that they possess a recognised level of expertise and commitment to the field. The benefits of obtaining a chartered status extend beyond personal achievement; they contribute to the overall professionalisation of the PR industry in Zimbabwe.”
IPRCZ is poised to offering a range of workshops, networking opportunities and certification courses, where practitioners will be encouraged to engage actively with both local and international peers Murahwa said.