Jean Marie Richard Speech

SPEECH OF JEAN MARIE F RICHARD

It is my pleasure an privilege to welcome you all on the occasion of

this first public event proposed by the PUBLIC RELATIONS AND

COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONALS ASSOCIATION OF THE

REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS PRCPA(M) presenting in partnership

with the Faculty of Humanities of the CHARLES TELFAIR

INSTITUTE

“THE FIRST INFORMATION DAY COMMUNICATION TOOLS

APPLIED TO THE PROMOTION OF MAURITIUS AS A

DESTINATION”

Allow me to heartily thank the team lead by Harmon Chellen

Director of the Sir Gaetan Duval Hotel School of Mauritius for

hosting us today and to add that we are so proud to hold this

“premiere” within the walls of an institution bearing the name of an

illustrious son of this land – whose lifetime has been totally

dedicated to place Mauritius on the Map and who has intensively

promoted our country abroad and been instrumental thereupon to

the setting up of two pillars of our economy- the manufacturing and

tourism sectors

INFORMATION DAY ON COMMUNICATION TOOLS APPLED TO THE PROMOTION OF MAURITIUS AS A DESTINATION

SIR GAETAN DUVAL HOTEL SCHOOL OF MAURITIUS APRIL 10 2009

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SPEECH OF JEAN MARIE F RICHARDI wish to convey special thanks to Mr Cassam Uteem Former

President of the Republic of Mauritius who despite numerous

obligations and activities – which actually contribute to the

promotion of our country as a follow through effect resulting of his

tenure of office as Head of State at the highest international level

in various forums an through high level assignments Mr Uteem has

accepted to deliver the keynote address and thus setting the scene

of this days’s schedule and discussions – He has been bold and

courageous to accept such a delicate task and gladly accepted to

share minds with us all – Mr Uteem we remain much obliged.

We also have to place on the record our thanks to Ashwin Ramdin

– Chairman of the Industrial and Vocational Training Board for his

kind and friendly acceptance to officially inaugurate this initiative

One which is most certainly in line with the vision an d mission of

the IVTB regarding its dedication to lifelong learning and fostering

through training a knowledge based economy

Thanks also to all participants coming from different and diverse

economic and institutional backgrounds and horizons but who

share this common passion for innovation turning around

challenges into opportunities to ensure the promotion and



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SPEECH OF JEAN MARIE F RICHARDthereafter the sustainable development of our country to the

benefit of all its stakeholders…

So here we are ready to share minds during this first information

day on communication tools applied to the promotion of Mauritius

as a destination The Public Relations and Communication

professionals community of Mauritius showcases the evolution of

our society’s socio economic and cultural patterns since our

Independence Our association through this initiative is certainly

setting the standards inliving up to the expectations of our

respective industries and most of all to the potential of our country

in these challenging times where we have a role to play each and

every one of us as responsible global citizens and practitioners.

When one has a look in the rear mirror – It is today difficult to

realise the giant steps made for example in the field of print media

a little more than a quarter of a century…The great grandson of a

modest typographer born in the mid 1800’s had the privilege

during the mid 1970’s - to witness the dawning of the offset era

prior to going abroad for further studies, The digital revolution

enables us today , at this very minute to be connected to the world

speeches debates and presentations will be going online in real

time Profiles of participants and the themes they will address have INFORMATION DAY ON COMMUNICATION TOOLS APPLED TO THE PROMOTION

OF MAURITIUS AS A DESTINATION SIR GAETAN DUVAL HOTEL SCHOOL OF MAURITIUS APRIL 10 2009

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SPEECH OF JEAN MARIE F RICHARDbeen on line for the last 36 hours– thanks to the technology

powering the website of the organisation set up serviced and

maintained by IChoc Ltd – managed by Krishna Thirapathi. Even

before today’s events we were on the web – through the

Facebook social networking site and the event’s blog

prcpa.blogspot.com.

Both tools were put to task and set up by students of CTI

Tomorrow powered by new technological tools we will continue

sharing minds with the rest of the world through professional online

forums sharing of information and proposing training – We are

definitely far away from the smoke signals dispensation….

You want your story to be really heard?

Then you need to be online because there are 1.5 billion people

there.

They get information through web sites, blogs, search engines,

RSS feeds.

Today WE can and we NEED to relate directly to consumers.

Today, there is no more top down communication but a 2 way

dialogue: share, comment talk!

We do it by blogging, micro blogging, social bookmarking or social

networking.

NOW is the future



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On the occasion of the official launch of our organisation I said that

By joining hands and by deciding to put out heads together we

have resolutely embarked on an exciting journey whereas, this day

indeed and tomorrow in deeds we will demonstrate our ability to

positively contribute to mutual understanding in our society –

Mutual understanding and communication which are by the way

the pillars of our profession.

Our task is quite challenging but as responsible PR and

communication practitioners we are professionally motivated

mentally programmed, emotionally armed and heartily in a

disposition to tackle tight deadlines, outreach for solutions, create

conducive set ups aimed at bringing up solutions, move one step

ahead run this extra mile to make things happen in the best

possible way.

Ladies and gentlemen Distinguished guests Dear colleagues The

event of the day is fully in line with this vision which was initiated

so as to set up an organisation bringing together the smartest

minds of our industry



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WE also have an obligation to cater for representation of our

profession share ideas views, set up initiatives so that we as

professionals are consulted on matters pertaining our industry and

also to seek our contribution as and when needed.

It is important vital for the future our profession that we have a say

regarding training initial and on going so as to always be in a

position to dispose of this competitive edge which will make a

difference professionally and also personally to the benefit of all

stakeholders we deal with.

We will also take an active part in the fundamental debate on

ethics which is a vital one in terms of our credibility and

sustainability of our role as citizens of the global village and this

land of ours…

IN line with our underlying tag line – SHARING MINDS WE

PROPOSE a special membership for STUDENTS AND

ACADEMICS so that AS from the outset TRAINEES AND

TRAINERS be exposed to the real world, the real challenges, the

real issues and develop the ability of coming forward with

EFFECTIVE solutions at the same time the international dimension

of our profession is essential to foster exposure and share

expertise – INFORMATION DAY ON COMMUNICATION TOOLS APPLED TO THE PROMOTION

OF MAURITIUS AS A DESTINATION SIR GAETAN DUVAL HOTEL SCHOOL OF MAURITIUS APRIL 10 2009

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In this global environment what is good for Mauritius must be

outstanding to the world This is why we encourage and cherish our

privileged links with the Global Alliance IPRA and closer to us the

most fortunate relationships with sister organisation as the Public

Relations Society of India and the Public Relations Institute of

Southern Africa

These international bonds ensure us exposure to BEST

PRACTICES BASED ON VALUES – PRINCIPLE centred

ACTIONS and ethically anchored initiatives

WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL enhance our

effectiveness and also fuel our respective contributions to the vital

nation building nation building process

May GOD Bless you all and thank you for your attention.



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Business

Jean Marie Richard Speech