| Page 497 | Association of Accredited Public Policy Advocates to the European Union

AALEP CALLS FOR AN ENHANCEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR REGISTERED LOBBYISTS

Submitted by christian on Sun, 04/03/2011 - 14:16

It is AALEP's opinion that the European Commission and the European Parliament ought to play a more active and consistent role in educating and informing registered lobbyists about the rules of professional ethics for members and staff of the European Commission as well the rules of professional ethics for MEPs, Assistant MEPs and staff of the European Parliament. The posting of these rules on the Internet is simply not enough.

WHAT PROPOSALS ARE IN THE PIPELINE FOR REFORMING CONDUCT OF MEPs AND LOBBYISTS

Submitted by christian on Sat, 04/02/2011 - 20:54

In the face of the bribery scandal that has hit the European Parliament, Ms. Diana Wallis, UK Liberal MEP and a Vice-President of the European Parliament with responsibility for transparency matters will lead a special cross-party panel to work on proposals for reform Parliamentary rules governing MEPs and Lobbyists. What is being considered: 1.

AALEP REACHING OUT TO INDIA

Submitted by christian on Sat, 04/02/2011 - 15:42

There are no regulations on lobbying in India, so far, but it is not illegal either. Lobbying is a well-established industry though it operates in a largely opaque environment. There have been demands from the lobbying industry and also outsiders to spell out clear laws determining dos and don'ts for the pratitioners, but it has not happened thus far. Industry bodies such as the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the National Association of Software and Services Companies are among the top lobbying groups.

AALEP CALLS FOR MANDATORY ETHICS CLASS AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Submitted by christian on Fri, 04/01/2011 - 18:11

AALEP advocates the development of a programme of ethics education and training for Assistant MEPs, MEPs and registered lobbyists to educate them on the rules and what behaviour is permissible and not permissible. The programme would include the preparation and publishing of an ethics education manual, orientation courses for new Assistant MEPs and MEPS, current issues seminars for Assistant MEPs and MEPs. Similarly a programme of ethics and education and training would be specifically designed for and made available for lobbyists.

AALEP READY TO COOPERATE WITH THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Submitted by christian on Fri, 04/01/2011 - 17:04

In the face of the corruption scandal that has hit the European Parliament, AALEP (The Association of Accredited Lobbyists to the European Union) stands ready to cooperate with the European Parliament for establishing the highest standards of integrity between professional lobbyists and MEPs. It's realistic to put restrictions and obligations on elected officials or government officials because they do work for the public and they are accountable for the public. It's much harder to put restrictions on private sector or non-profit.

LOOKING ELSEWHERE FOR GROWTH

Submitted by christian on Wed, 03/30/2011 - 11:25

According to the Associated Press 'Global Economy Tracker', which follows economic and financial metrics for 22 countries that make up more than 80% of the world's economic output, here below a snapshot of performance for EU countries: Slowest Growth (October-December quarter, year over year) Spain: 0.6% Italy: 1.3% United Kingdom: 1.5% France: 1.5% Belgium: 1.8% In comparison countries that exhibit the fastest growth (October-December quarter, year over year) are: Argentina: 10.1% China: 8.2% Indonesia: 6.9% Brazil: 5.0% Highest unemployment Spain: 20.2% Belgium: 8.1% Most worrisome for

LA STRATEGIE DES '4P' REVISITEE

Submitted by christian on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 17:48

La prolifération des niveaux de gouvernance, la multiplicité des circuits de décision, le foisonnement des textes à l'étude, la technicité des mesures à appliquer contraignent les acteurs privés et publics à réfléchir aux méthodes de défense et de promotion des intérêts qu'ils soient particuliers ou nationaux, général ou communautaire. La stratégie des '4P' renvoie aux quatre éléments clefs de toute action de lobbying: procédures, problèmes, personnes, positions.

WHICH MARKETS SHOULD WE MONITOR IN 2011?

Submitted by christian on Mon, 03/28/2011 - 14:31

According to the Economist magazine, the top emerging countries that exhibit the greatest market potential in terms of market size, growth rate, market intensity, market consumption capacity, commercial infrastructure, economic freedom, market receptivity and country risk are in order of importance the following: 1. Hong Kong 2. China 3. Singapore 4. Korea South 5. Czech Republic 6. Poland 7. Israel 8. Hungary 9. India 10.Turkey 11.Brazil 12.Indonesia 13.Mexico 14.Malaysia 15. Chile 16. Saudi Arabia 17. Thailand 18. Argentina 19. Peru 20.

NEW APPROACH IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS REQUIRED FOR THE BRIC COUNTRIES

Submitted by christian on Sun, 03/27/2011 - 14:54

According to a recent survey carried out last February among 146 Public Affairs professionals across Europe including representatives of corporations, industry and trade associations, consultancies, NGOs, government bodies, academia, trade unions and think tanks and compiled by polling and research consultancy ComRes, there are a skills mismatch between the markets in which professionals are trained to practice Public Affairs or have experience of (the United States, Russia, Australia, UAE) and the markets that already fall within their responsibilities or are suspected to be within their r

ADVOCACYCENTER-BRUSSELS A New Home for Lobbyists

Submitted by christian on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 19:11

The AdvocacyCenter-Brussels has just been officially opened. The vision is to create a 'Lobbyists' House' in Brussels where lobbyists' professional groups, consultancies and national lobbyists' organisations are represented. One of the key benefits of the AdvocacyCenter-Brussels is that it will provide opportunities for sharing of experience, foster new ideas and the possible development of collaborative arrangements among subscribers.