| Page 495 | Association of Accredited Public Policy Advocates to the European Union

The Yin and the Yang

Submitted by christian on Mon, 04/18/2011 - 17:51

There's a balance in world affairs. That's what the concept of yin and yang is about. The Chinese feel Europe lacks a strategic vision and suffers from internal discord, which impedes its credibility in world affairs. China desires a more united European voice as part of its conception of a multipolar future world order. China has a sophisticated approach to Europe.

NEW DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL SECTOR

Submitted by christian on Mon, 04/18/2011 - 12:00

Prof. Giorgio Stanta has joined AALEP. Professor Stanta from the University of Trieste performs molecular and epidemiological analyses in human archive tissues, in particular for research in dermatology and oncology for validation and standardisation of technologies. As Italian representative, he is member of the European Molecular Pathology Board. He is also member of the Molecular Pathology Council of the European Society of Pathology and of the Italian Group of Molecular Pathology.

NEW DISTINGUISHED MEMBER FROM THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS

Submitted by christian on Mon, 04/18/2011 - 11:35

HE Mr. Avirmed Battur has just joined AALEP. HE Mr. Avirmed Battur is the Ambassador of Mongolia to Benelux and the EU since 2008. Ambassador Battur is a career diplomat and has held a number of important positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mongolia, including that of Vice-Minister from 2004 to 2006. From 1999 to 2000 he was the Minister for Education, Culture, Science and Technology and Director of the Public Administration and Management Department from 1998 to 1999.

NEW MEMBER FROM INDIA

Submitted by christian on Mon, 04/18/2011 - 11:13

Mr. Bobby Kewalramani, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Perfect Relations Group has just joined AALEP. Established in 1992, Perfect Relations Group is South Asia's largest image management, communications and business policy consultancy. It employs over 200 media and industry specialists and has its company-owned offices in 14 major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chemnai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Mr. Kewalramani is responsible for managing all operations of the company globally.

DO NOT RESTRICT LOBBYING!

Submitted by christian on Fri, 04/15/2011 - 14:19

The practice of lobbying provides a forum for the resolution of conflicts among often diverse and competing points of view; provides information, analysis, and opinion to legislators and government leaders to allow for informed and balanced decision making; and creates a system of checks and balances that allows for competition among interest groups, keeping any one group from attaining a permanent position of power. Lobbyists can help the legislative process work more effectively by providing lawmakers with reliable data and accurate assessments of a proposal’s effect.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FROM KENYA

Submitted by christian on Thu, 04/14/2011 - 16:21

Back in 2003 the National Assembly of Kenya debated the matter of a Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament " Members of Parliament shall not be involved in corruption by giving or taking bribes, receiving favours or be abet in corrupt practices and transactions in the course of their public and private work" "Members are required to be transparent, have integrity, be incorruptible, honest, accountable for all their actions and be objective in their decisions" " As Members of Parliament we must lead by example.

AALEP EXISTS TO SERVE ITS MEMBERS

Submitted by christian on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 17:17

It would be a mistake to suppose that AALEP exists to serve the narrow, self-directed and parochial interests of its individual members, even though it is directly supportive in a constructive sense of those whose business is Public Affairs, Advocacy and Lobbying. Efforts in continuing education, professional standards and economics should expand. There is an obvious benefit to both the Public Affairs practitioners and the public in a proficient, efficient and disciplined organisation whose members render high quality services and perform according to high ethical standards.

THE DANGER OF PROFESSIONAL APATHY

Submitted by christian on Wed, 04/13/2011 - 10:48

In spite of all the external threats to Public Affairs practitioners, a more serious threat is the threat of apathy. The dictionary defines apathy as a state of indifference or the suppression of passion, emotion or excitement also, the lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting. The opposite of apathy is enthusiasm, fervour, concern and passion. Excuses such as lacking the time, the money and the energy for what is perceived as the 'extras' of being involved in professional activities are just ways of escaping but by doing so we deny our personal growth.

AALEP WANTS TO DEVELOP A STRONG PAN EUROPEAN PROFESSIONAL COHESION

Submitted by christian on Tue, 04/12/2011 - 12:20

Public Affairs can no longer be constrained within national boundaries. We believe the way Public Affairs is practiced, taught and understood in each European country will shape the market for government relations services and will have profound implications for the future of our profession. For this reason there's a need to develop a strong pan-European professional cohesion in the field of Public Affairs and to facilitate the networking of outstanding professionals that extends far beyond Brussels-based practitioners.

AALEP SEEKS EXPANSION ABROAD

Submitted by christian on Sat, 04/09/2011 - 13:48

AALEP is looking at the new economies of the world for expansion because it is convinced that collaborative efforts with local lobbyists will provide opportunities to build mutually beneficial knowledge and trust. Today the top ten largest economies in terms of total GDP measured at purchasing power parity (PPP) are the USA, China, Japan, India, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom (UK), France, Brazil and Italy.