A call to action from the PARE Conference in Tallinn On April 23, David Ducheyne took the stage at the PARE Conference in Tallinn in his capacity as Vice President HR of the European Association for People Management (EAPM). His message was direct and uncompromising: HR stands at a defining moment, and the profession's future depends on the choices its practitioners make now. A Profession Both Thriving and Threatened HR has rarely mattered more, Ducheyne argued — and rarely been more at risk. Organizations need the function as never before, yet that need coexists with a real danger: that HR, if left unattended, drifts toward automation, irrelevance, and even resentment. The answer to that paradox, he insisted, is not defensive. It is constructive. HR must build itself into a stronger profession, one that looks forward rather than backward, helps organizations master change rather than merely react to it, builds capabilities rather than accumulates policies, and ultimately helps people

The European Association for People Management is the umbrella organisation for HR in Europe. We bring together 36 national associations, from Iceland to Azerbaijan and from Norway to Malta. This diversity of cultures, labour markets, and legal traditions strengthens our profession and creates opportunities for shared learning. It may not be immediately clear what connects such a varied community. Differences are real, but what unites us is a common focus on the human side of working life and the ongoing task of balancing productivity with people-related considerations. During the DAAM, representatives from across Europe discussed the challenges ahead. These challenges are significant, but they underline the relevance of our profession and the contribution HR can make in supporting organisations and societies. HR has an essential role in shaping the future of work. Enjoy the read.