PROFESSIONAL LOBBYING SKILLS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA NEED TO BE STRENGTHENED

The economic growth in Southeast Asian countries (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Timor Leste) has strengthened the position of the private sector towards the public sector considerably. Governments and administrative bodies (civil servants or bureaucrats) are increasingly inclined to strike deals with important actors in the private sector. At the same time, the red tape and corruption in the public sector worries the private sector and makes it look for NGO allies to pressure governments to take action.

In the public sector, the new economic environment and the 'change of generation' brings new people in charge, better educated with new often rather pragmatic concepts of policy-making. These new leaders and their civils servants look at society in a different way and this provides more opportunities for co-operation with both businesses and NGOs.

However, there is a need to strengthen the professional skills of the lobbyists in the field of mapping, political analysis, strategy negotiation. Additionally, Southeast Asian countries need to develop a network to:

• share/exchange information/training materials/development;
• understand the general trends in society and policy-making;
• share/exchange experiences (capacity building), best practices, training staff/internernship, strengthening capacity to become better lobbyists;
• work together in joint lobby cases;
• develop quality standards (codes of conduct)
• connect with other existing lobby organisations/networks
• contribute to awareness raising that lobbying is positive, worth to engage in (especially in countries where lobbying is a new concept and has not yet been institutionalized)
• facilitate crucial public debates on important political developments
• provide links and concrete services in North-South relations including with donors.

Professional lobbying is an important instrument to strengthen the position of social movements in the dynamic power games in many Southeast Asian countries. It is a way to deal with the other actors in society, based on power analysis, negotiation and the creation of a level playing field for all stakeholders. Specialists to support these complex relationships with the public and the private sector can contribute to the efforts of civil society organizations and non-government organizations and make them more effectiver for the groups and/or cause they defend and represent.

There is a need to create and strengthen networks and partnerships between and among different stakeholders and their groups both within and beyond Southeast Asia; to strengthen the research and advocacy capacity of stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector and the media; and with regard to trade to facilitate stakeholders' participation in trade negotiation and policy-making processes and to sensitize governments and concerned stakeholders on Southeast Asian perspectives on trade and development issues.