IPRA, ZIPR translate climate, code of conduct into Shona, Ndebele

Harare (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Institute of Public Relations (ZIPR) has, in partnership with the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (IPRA), translated the IPRA’s Climate Change Communication Guidelines and Code of Conduct into two of Zimbabwe’s main languages, Shona and Ndebele.

The translation of the Climate Change Communication Guidelines is vital as countries and institutions around the world strengthening their commitments towards addressing the climate crisis.

On the other hand, the translation of the IPRA’s Code of Conduct serves to confirm ZIPR’s resolve to position the profession as one rooted in accountability and public trust.

“It is significant that ZIPR has translated the Climate Change Communication Guidelines and the IPRA Code of Conduct. This action shows our resolve to ensure that communities that practitioners serve are able to understand what we do as practitioners in the context of the climate change crisis that continues to negatively affect communities in Zimbabwe,” ZIPR president, Hazel Zisamhi said.

“Often times public relations practitioners are at the forefront of shaping what people know and do in response to climate change. By translating these climate change communication guidelines into local languages, we believe they will be more accessible to the Zimbabwean populace, and it will be easier for communities to appreciate what we do and share the information with others who may not be conversant in English,” she added.

She said translating the IPRA code of conduct would add to the localised public relations body of knowledge and also help people appreciate what public relations is and the ethical standards that are in place to promote accountability of practitioners as they serve individuals, businesses and communities.

“Many people don’t have a clear understanding of what public relations is and by translating the IPRA code of conduct, we are contributing to broader understanding of what public relations is all about. It is also a stepping stone towards producing other informative materials that explain to the public what we do as public relations practitioners using languages that people understand. Hopefully as time goes on, we will be able to produce these documents in other languages besides Shona and Ndebele,” said Zisanhi.

Jacqueline Purcell, a member of ZIPR, who serves on the board of IPRA in London and who is the UK and Ireland Chapter Chair, commended the work done by ZIPR in translating the guidelines and code of conduct. She highlighted that the work done underscores the excellent relationship and cooperation surrounding the interactions between ZIPR and IPRA.

“We see the translation of the IPRA guidelines and code of conduct as a testimony of ZIPR’s commitment to what IPRA stands for. ZIPR has been an active and engaged member of IPRA and this effort highlights the potential for collaboration in various ways to strengthen the public relations profession in Zimbabwe and beyond,” she said.
The ZIPR is among the oldest professional organisations in the country, having been established in 1957 as a professional and ethical body dedicated to serving and enhancing the interests of its members and the public relations profession.

New Ziana