PRCPA(M) conference: Communication applied to the promotion of Mauritius as a destination. Welcome speech by Jean Marie F. Richard, President of the Public Relations and Communication Professionals Association Mauritius – PRCPA (M).

1. 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 1
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SIR GAETAN DUVAL HOTEL SCHOOL OF MAURITIUS APRIL 10 2009

2. SPEECH OF JEAN MARIE F RICHARD
I 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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SIR GAETAN DUVAL HOTEL SCHOOL OF MAURITIUS APRIL 10 2009

3. SPEECH OF JEAN MARIE F RICHARD
thereafter 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
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SIR GAETAN DUVAL HOTEL SCHOOL OF MAURITIUS APRIL 10 2009

4. SPEECH OF JEAN MARIE F RICHARD
been 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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SIR GAETAN DUVAL HOTEL SCHOOL OF MAURITIUS APRIL 10 2009

5. SPEECH OF JEAN MARIE F RICHARD
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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SIR GAETAN DUVAL HOTEL SCHOOL OF MAURITIUS APRIL 10 2009

6. SPEECH OF JEAN MARIE F RICHARD
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 –
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SIR GAETAN DUVAL HOTEL SCHOOL OF MAURITIUS APRIL 10 2009

7. SPEECH OF JEAN MARIE F RICHARD
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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SIR GAETAN DUVAL HOTEL SCHOOL OF MAURITIUS APRIL 10 2009