EUPRERA launches FuturePR International Student Competition in collaboration with ICCO
October 3rd, 2024 – The European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA), in collaboration with the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO), is excited to announce the launch of the FuturePR International Student Competition. This new competition will take place in October and November 2024, inviting students from across the globe to tackle key challenges faced by the communication and public relations profession.
The FuturePR Competition builds on the strong foundations of previous competitions organised by both EUPRERA and ICCO. EUPRERA’s PR Arena and ICCO’s University PR World Cup have each provided students with invaluable opportunities to showcase their skills. By joining forces, the two organisations aim to create an even more impactful platform that will combine academic rigor with real-world industry expertise.
The FuturePR Competition seeks to go beyond annual case changes and client challenges. Its mission is to foster a long-term dialogue on the critical issues affecting the PR profession, with a particular focus on the role current and future PR and communication professionals play in countering misinformation and polarization. For its inaugural edition, FuturePR will address the Media Education and Information Pledge, encouraging students to develop innovative PR strategies that promote a sustainable, peaceful, and equitable future. As they explore solutions for critical global challenges, students will be able to grow their understanding of the profession’s role in society, preparing them for the complex world they will enter after graduation.
Jesper Falkheimer, President of EUPRERA, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “The FuturePR Competition marks a significant step forward for profession-linked education. By merging the strengths of both EUPRERA and ICCO, we are offering students a unique opportunity to engage with the core challenges the profession faces and, in doing so, contribute to its evolution. This competition reflects our shared vision of an engaged role for the PR and communication profession in building a more sustainable and ethical future”.
Andras Sztaniszlav, CEO of ICCO, echoed this sentiment: “This partnership marks a new era for both ICCO and EUPRERA in nurturing the future of PR. ICCO has always been committed to fostering young talent, and with this collaboration, we are able to support a platform that not only tests students’ skills but also prepares them for the complexities of global PR challenges. This is a natural next step for ICCO as we continue to invest in the development of the next generation of communications professionals”.
Anca Anton, co-leader of the EUPRERA Education Network, explained: ”The FuturePR Competition offers students more than just a test of their PR skills; it invites them to think deeply about how the profession they are preparing for can contribute to a better society. This initiative is an educational tool that puts an emphasis on the long-term role of PR and communication in addressing critical societal issues, helping students understand their future professional and societal responsibilities”.
For more details on the competition and how to enter, please visit: www.euprera.org/futurepr