Lessons from Ukraine for Communicators in the Middle East
A Joint CIPR Crisis Communications Network, MEPRA and ICCO Open-House Drop-In Session
Since the attacks on Iran launched at the end of February, the escalation and expansion of the conflict currently playing out across the Middle East has seen communications professionals grappling with a new reality – professionally and personally.
The 8th April announcement of a two-week ceasefire will provide some welcome respite. However, the combination of Israel’s operations in the Lebanon seemingly being excluded from the ceasefire, previous US-Iran negotiations having twice been abruptly ended by US military action and the continued on-the-ground ripple effects of recent events weeks means potential peace talks are unlikely to expel entirely ongoing day-to-day uncertainty on the ground.
With so little certainty about the ultimate trajectory, duration, extent and nature of events, senior communicators are juggling the challenges of ensuring business continuity and building resilience with day-to-day service delivery, team motivation and protecting staff wellbeing, in an ever-more uncertain environment.
As analysis by PRovoke Media has shown, judgements around tone and timing are both constant and consequential, as communicators work to manage and bridge the gap between external perception and on-the-ground reality.
At the same time, demand for geopolitical insight is rising, in parallel with the opportunity to demonstrate the true value of strategic communication in real time – accelerating a shift from traditional PR to reputational advisory.
Striking the balance between geopolitical, economic and emotional intelligence is becoming ever harder, while also not forgetting the critical importance of self-care and protecting loved ones.
This experience - at least at this scale - may be new to many in the region. However, it has tragically been the daily experience of professional communicators across Ukraine for the past four years.
Against that backdrop, this open house drop-in session is designed to provide access for communicators across the Gulf region to some of the most senior and seasoned communicators in Ukraine - professionals who have endured, adapted and evolved, since Russia's invasion of their country in February 2022.
Alina Steklova, Founder and CEO of COMMSX, Sergii Bidenko, Crisis and Reputation Advisor and Partner at SEC Newgate Ukraine, Julia Petryk, CEO and Co-Founder of Calibrated, and Founder of the Ukrainian PR Army and Natalia Popovych, founder of One Philosophy group of companies, and co-founder of Resilient Ukraine and B4Ukraine, will answer questions on that evolution and adaptation, based on their lived experiences and learned experience of communicating amid conflict – professionally and personally.
Pooling the networks of the CIPR, MEPRA and ICCO, the session will be moderated by Rod Cartwright, Special Advisor to the CIPR Crisis Communications Network, who was an active member of the Ukraine Communications Support Network in the months following Russia's invasion.
We hope that colleagues from across the Gulf region will join us for a session designed to connect communicators across continents, share experiences and compare notes. The session is open to all CIPR, ICCO and MEPRA members.
Contact: Felix Östman
Email: [email protected]