The People's Republic of China and FAPRA: Catalysts for theory building in Africa's public relations
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Date
2007-12-25
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Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group
Abstract
Africa is experiencing an unusually high economic interest from the People's
Republic of China, whose government has invested billions of dollars in schools,
clinics, roads, railways, factories, and oil wells on the continent; has canceled more
than $1.36 billion in debts owed to it by 33 African nations; and has pledged to
provide Africa with $5 billion in preferential loans and credits through 2009. Its top
party officials traverse the continent, seeking to develop business relationships and
to reinforce others. While such efforts help place Africa on the cusp of significant
economic growth, they also boost the programs and activities of the Nairobi,
Kenya-based Federation of African Public Relations Associations (FAPRA), and
an umbrella body of all national public relations associations in Africa and a
consultant to African governments and to the African Union. FAPRA has launched
a 5-year action plan to improve the stature and social relevance of the public
relations practice, largely through enhancing its efforts to professionalize it. Both
China and FAPRA are, in essence, collaborating to create environments conducive
to enhancing the practice in Africa, and to laying a foundation for an expansive
view of public relations research—one that questions grand narratives, defines
concepts, challenges orthodoxies, measures variables, and determines program
outcomes or effects. And researchers and practitioners work together in creative
ways to improve the practice. This article argues that questions and concepts are,
in themselves, opportunities for a much-needed theory building in Africa's public
relations. It, therefore, outlines 4 propositions as a template for such theory
building, based on a 4-concept research agenda: culture, good governance and
rule of law, economic freedom, and FAPRA's integrated programs and activities
outlined in its 5-year action plan.
The return of China … to global economic prominence in the twenty-first century
is likely to reshape global politics and society. The overwhelming dominance of the
West, which lasted half a millennium, is probably passé. We should view these
developments not only with awe, but with anticipation. (Sachs, 2005Sachs, J.
D. 2005. The end of poverty: Economic possibilities of our time, New
York: Penguin. [Google Scholar], p. 187)
We want to work in partnership with the international community, but we believe
that it must be a partnership based on mutual respect and mutual accountability.
(Former Namibian Prime Minister Geingob, 2006Geingob, H. 2006. “Democracy
in Africa”. In Democracy rising: Assessing the global challenges, Edited
by: Muñoz, H.55–60. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner. [Google Scholar], p. 56)
Description
Keywords
China, FAPRA, Theory Building, Africa, Public Relations
Citation
Pratt, C. B., & Adamolekun, W. (2007). The People's Republic of China and FAPRA: Catalysts for theory building in Africa's public relations. Journal of Public Relations Research, 20(1), 20-48.