ADVANCING THE INTERESTS OF OUR PROFESSION

Professional identity varies greatly within our profession. When one drills down to what each professional does, we quickly discover that each and every professional is unique and each has his/her own particular identity.  We need to recognize and respect the professional diversity amongst those who have chosen to be public policy advocates and strive to represent the diverse interests that make up this unique and dynamic profession.

GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVENESS IN EU MEMBER STATES

Government effectiveness is a general indicator providing a summary assessment of the quality of public administration in general depending on its regulatory system, of its impartiality and the quality of the services it provides. The Worldwide Governance Indicators developed by the World Bank summarizes information from 30 existing data sources on views and experiences of citizens, business people and experts in the public, private and NGO sectors.

THE PA MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Here below is the first alphabetical listing of the leadership of the Public Affairs Consultancies that are members of the European Public Affairs Consultancies Association (EPACA). The list compiled by AALEP only considers the top managers (partners and directors) and includes 131 names along with their title and affiliation. The development of this list did require an examination of each consultancy’s website to identify their leadership.

EPACA IN PERSPECTIVE

The European Public Affairs Consultancies Association (EPACA) is the representative trade body for public affairs consultancies working with the EU institutions.

EPACA membership currently comprises 42 companies with over 600 staff and represents a high proportion of EU public affairs services providers.

ANTICIPATING THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF A STRIKE ON SYRIA

A U.S. missile strike on Syria could trigger an explosive chain reaction from Syria or its allies like Hezbollah and Iran, and the blowback could hit U.S./French targets or Israel or Syria might simply stop using chemical weapons and there is no retaliation at all. Gauging the ripple effects of a U.S. strike on Syria is part of the calculations of the Obama administration but it is imprecise science. Any military strike often has ramifications that are not anticipated. We face major uncertainties regarless of what is done.

PA CONSULTANCIES: 200 MILLION EUROS ESTIMATED COMBINED YEARLY EARNINGS

Public Affairs Consultancies in Brussels generate an estimated 200 million euros in combined earnings each year. 100 million euros or 50% of the total is attributed to the following firms: APCO, Fleishman Hillard, Burson Marsteller, Olgilvy, Hill & Knowlton, Kreab Gavin Anderson, Weber Shandwick, Porter Novelli, Akkanto, FTI Consulting, Cabinet DN, Interel European Affairs, Grayling and Edelman.

SUCCESSFULLY INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICY

Whether it is monitoring government activities, advocating, lobbying or strategic partnering, those leaders who demonstrate they understand and can influence the public policy arena are better able to support those they serve. The process of influencing policy can be broken into four broad and interelated steps.

If you are a board member, chief executive officer or programme manager, following the four steps outlined here below will help you influence governments on the issue that are important to you and your organization.

TRADE ASSOCIATION BEST PRACTICE FOR PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY

Trade associations have a crucial role to play in promoting best practice, helping companies become more competitive and formulating effective public policy and delivery. They have tremendous potential to act as a co-ordinated voice of business when talking to government, and great value in terms of quickly disseminating messages about government policy to their members. Productive engagement between associations and government is very important for the policy making process.

PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY OF BRUSSELS-BASED REGIONAL REPRESENTATIONS

Regional representations have become a conspicuous presence in Brussels, well acknowledged as partners of the European policy community. Offices from EU Member States (and sometimes from non-Member States) have become a significant category of players in the Brussels-based supranational policy community. Brussels has acquired the status of international capital for regional and local lobbying.

NOT ONE BUT 28 LOBBYING CAPITALS

Although up to 80 percent of legislation in certain policy areas emanates from Brussels, and while many say that Brussels has gained parity with Washington DC as the 'lobbying capital of the world', there is not one lobbying capital within the EU but 28 lobbying capitals.

There is no efficient EU lobbying without lobbying at national level. Therefore, maintaining staff in major European capitals to try and influence national governments is of paramount importance.

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