NEW YORK: The Global Public Affairs Institute (GPAI) is attempting to bolster its public profile, setting up its first-ever fundraising entity and announcing a series of events.
NEW YORK: The Global Public Affairs Institute (GPAI) is attempting
to bolster its public profile, setting up its first-ever fundraising
entity and announcing a series of events.
The GPAI, founded by large US corporations such as AT&T, had until now
been financed entirely by annual membership dues of dollars 2,500. But
the group was forced to create a fund-raising body because the
organization’s tax status prevents it from seeking outside
financing.
’We are beginning to talk to corporations about funding the center,’
said GPAI president Bud Pomerantz said. ’It makes sense for us to do
long-term projects with universities and institutes.’
Donations will be used to underwrite research about foreign government
policy and the handling of overseas PR emergencies, thus preparing
top-ranking corporate PR pros for the inevitable crisis.
As part of the profile-raising effort, the GPAI is holding its first
overseas conference in five years. The two-day event in London, ’A New
Model for Corporate Activism,’ will examine the controversial subject of
genetically modified food. Among the featured speakers is Financial
Times deputy editor Peter Martin, who will survey facts and myths
surrounding the issue.
The GPAI is also partnering with Florida International University, which
will host a conference on crisis control in Latin America in
February.
Created 11 years ago by several global companies including Johnson &
Johnson, Philip Morris and General Electric, the institute’s mission is
to help US corporations thrive in the increasingly global business
environment.
