| Page 420 | Association of Accredited Public Policy Advocates to the European Union

SHADOW LOBBYING IS UP IN AMERICA!

Submitted by christian on Tue, 11/26/2013 - 13:12

People in the U.S. can elude the lobbying law’s registration requirement by simply interpreting the strict statutory definition of “lobbyist” as not applying to them. That is, so long as they are not spending 20% of their time—think one full day in a normal work week—on behalf of any single client for an entire quarter, then they do not need to register or report their lobbying activities. Think about that: do you ever spend one full day per week for three months straight working on any one project at work?

AND WHAT DO YOU DO? I'M A GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PROFESSIONAL

Submitted by christian on Sat, 11/23/2013 - 12:39

What do you call a trade association that represents lobbyists when lobbyist has become a dirty word. Lobbyists’ lobbying group (formerly American League of Lobbyists) in Washington DC is now to be referred to as Association of Government Relations Professionals (AGRP).

OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGE

Submitted by christian on Fri, 11/22/2013 - 09:43

People often ask what is public policy advocacy? The short answer is that it is an educational process and an essential component of any organization that is subject to government regulations. At its core, public policy advocacy is an educational process: educating business and industry leaders about the governmental process; educating officials about the issues important to business or other constituencies; and educating governmental and business leaders, and the public, about the potential consequences of legislation.

THE AMERICAN LEAGUE OF LOBBYISTS HAS CHANGED NAME

Submitted by christian on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 13:47

The Washington D.C.-based American League of Lobbyists has changed its name. The organization will be known as the Association for Government Relations Professionals to better reflect the range of its members' professions, including government relations, lobbying and public affairs. The goal of AGRP is apparently to be the voice of an inter-related professional community that is united in working toward open and transparent debates in the formulation of public policy.

PROFILE RAISING

Submitted by christian on Wed, 11/20/2013 - 17:38

Profile raising means helping an organization to build or improve its relationships with government officials. It means supporting organizations wanting to be better known and understood by political stakeholders as they engage with government, parliament or other decision makers.

DEFINITIONS OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

Submitted by christian on Mon, 11/18/2013 - 16:43

Public Policy Advocacy means, in a professional capacity, attempting to influence or advising those who wish to influence a government, parliament, legislature, local, regional or at EU level or other public bodies on any matters within their competence.

Public Policy Advocates are those private individuals who in a professional capacity work to influence or advise those who wish to influence, the institutions of a government, in respect to:

EASTERN PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS FORUM

Submitted by christian on Mon, 11/18/2013 - 13:29

Organised on 28 November 2013 on the eve of the 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit of Heads of State and Government, the Eastern Partnership Business Forum will bring together key representatives of the business community and government to address strategic questions ranging from further enhancement of trade, foreign direct investment, boosting of SMEs and developing infrastructure for business success.

THE EMERGING EAST-WEST CONFLICT

Submitted by christian on Mon, 11/18/2013 - 12:04

The European Union's Partnership Programme aims for stability, prosperity and social development in its immediate neighborhood. Aware of its attractiveness, the EU offers those countries stronger relationships without promising EU membership and urges them to undertake sustainable reforms.

A BRIEF REVIEW OF LOBBYING REGIMES IN THE EU

Submitted by christian on Sun, 11/17/2013 - 17:30

In view of the downside risks of lobbying and the impressive mobilisation of private resources, public pressure is rising worldwide to put lobbying regulations on the political agenda. Transparency, integrity and fairness in the decision-making process are crucial to safeguard the public interest and promote a level playing field for businesses. However, regulating lobbying has proven difficult for decision makers due to its complexity and sensitive nature and many EU countries rely on self-regulation of lobbyists.

WHY SHOULD PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY BE TRANSPARENT ?

Submitted by christian on Sun, 11/17/2013 - 15:52

Public perceptions of undue influence peddling, in which special interest groups exercise too much sway over government for self-serving purposes, have led to growing demands for the regulation of public policy advocates and transparency of the policymaking process.