On November 22, 2023, the Global Day of Influence (GDI) will commemorate its third edition, a campaign meticulously crafted to empower communicators and underscore the pivotal role of influence in our intricately connected world.
This annual initiative serves as a clarion call to communicators worldwide. With the theme this year on ‘Using Influence to Achieve Global Peace,’ the campaign positions influence as a formidable catalyst for fostering worldwide harmony and unity.
In the words of Ayeni Adekunle, the initiative’s convener, “Influence, in the crucible of recent global conflicts transcends mere power—it becomes a solemn duty.”
Reflecting on the transformative power of communication, Ayeni draws parallels with the Nobel Peace Prize awarded in 2021 to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov. Their recognition, according to Ayeni, serves as a profound call to action for contemporary communicators, urging them to wield their influence and storytelling prowess as instruments of peace.
“Beyond the veneer of headlines, we all need to do the right thing; it is to wield our influence and storytelling prowess as instruments of peace. In conflicts that breed suffering and violence, we are the architects of dialogue, the weavers of understanding, and the sentinels of truth,” Ayeni adds.
Against the backdrop of today’s hyper-connected world, where information flows ceaselessly, the Global Day of Influence emphasises that influence is not confined to the realm of the famous or powerful. In the age of digital platforms and social media, the potential to become an influencer is within everyone’s grasp.
GDI encourages global citizens to reflect on the impact of their influence, urging PR practitioners to be conscientious in their roles as communicators, leaders, and advocates.
The campaign fosters a collective effort to shape a world where influence serves as a force for positive transformation, inspiring narratives that evoke hope, unity, and a shared commitment to global peace.
“Let our narratives challenge the shadows of bias, stereotype, propaganda, and misinformation, lighting the way towards a global tapestry woven with threads of peace, empathy, and shared humanity”, Ayeni concludes.
The choice of November 22 for the Global Day of Influence is a homage to the influential Austrian-American public relations pioneer, Edward Bernays, born on that very day in 1891, widely recognized as the father of public relations.