About Us

Our Story. Founded in 2014 by Allard W. van Veen, The PR Trust is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organisation that provides knowledge and networking opportunities, student scholarships and awards programs that elevate and empower aspiring professionals and young leaders in communications. The PR Trust® is a Registered Trademark.

Our Trustees. Our Board of Trustees is Chaired by Richard Tsang (SPRG, Hong Kong), with Founder Allard W. van Veen (Canada), Peter Finn (FINN Partners, USA), Madan Bahal (Adfactors, India), Joanne Painter (ICON Agency, Australia), Angela Scaffidi (SenateSHJ, Australia), and Andreas Fischer-Appelt (fischerAppelt, Germany).

Our Founders. The PR Trust was established with endowment funds provided by Allard and Valerie van Veen for its outreach programs, scholarships, and operations. As a part of the PR Trust’s Mission, the Future Communicators Foundation was launched with a US $100, 000 endowment from Allard and Valerie van Veen solely for the use of scholarships and awards.

Mission Statement of The PR Trust

Communication creates the conditions for, and drives, social change in health care, economic development, environmental responsibility, responsible government and all human activities affecting world communities.

— Allard W. van Veen, Founder of The PR Trust

The PR Trust believes that good communications drives positive social change, and that transparent and trusting communications are at the core of a compassionate and sustainable global society.

The PR Trust offers knowledge and networking opportunities, student scholarships, and global recognition through awards programs that elevate and empower aspiring professionals and young leaders.

It is our Mission to provide young and aspiring professionals with learning opportunities and outreach programs that emphasise the role of communications in building a sustainable and compassionate global society.

We are interested in collaborative initiatives, partners, and programs that further our Mission.

Founding Beliefs of The PR Trust

Communication is a key aspect of personal and community development.
Trust is the foundation for effective, transparent and ethical communication.
Education enhances communication skills that better global civil society.
Partnerships are efficient platforms to scale opportunities rapidly.
Dialogue develops opportunities and builds bridges between nations and cultures.
Leadership builds a reliable and independent voice for the communications industry.
Shared resources enhance global communications and their benefits.
Excellence deserves to be recognized.

Goals of the PR Trust

Build bridges by linking individuals, organizations, educational institutions, and professional associations in the communications profession.
Support communications in the developing world through learning opportunities and education outreach.
Recognize new leaders through PR Trust award programs and mentor opportunities.
Connect institutional to applied learning by creating networking and experiential opportunities.
Be a trusted source for global opportunities in communications educational and professional development.

Communications is sharing knowledge, promoting transparency, stimulating dialogue, encouraging feedback and measuring success.

Whether we are engaged in preventing disease or promoting job creation, we need to be effective communicators. The PR Trust facilitates access to communications training and tools for young professionals in developing countries.