ACT is an international grassroots advocacy and education organization representing more than 5000 small and mid size app developers and international technology firms. It is the only organization focused on the needs of small business innovators from around the world. ACT advocates for an environment that inspires and rewards innovation while providing resources to help its members leverage their intellectual assets to raise capital, create jobs and continue innovating. In addition to its small business membership, ACT and ACT 4 Apps has several sponsor members including:

The Obama administration has found itself trying to placate the leaders of closely allied nations who have discovered the extent of NSA surveillance in their countries. The flood of spying scandals raises the question over whether the negotiating edge such secret eavesdropping provides is worth the reputational damage to Washington.

The European Commission’s embrace of interest groups is part of a long history of engagement and interaction. The Commission consults widely with representative associations and civil society during the policy making process. Interaction with interest groups is also institutionalized in the open consultation process, many ad hoc committees , and most explicitly in the Social Dialogue procedure and the two consultative bodies, the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee. The logic behind these interactions is simple.

European Council Meeting Agenda: 24-25 October 2013

Topics: 1.Digital Economy, Innovation and Services; 2.Growth, Competitiveness and Jobs; 3. Economic and Monetary Union and 4. Eastern Partnership Summit.

1. Digital Economy, Innovation and Services

The European Council will hold a thematic discussion on the digital economy, innovation and services. In particular, the European Council will:

(a) discuss the state of play of the digital agenda, with a view to providing guidance towards the completion of the Digital Single Market by 2015;