PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS LACK A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE AND EDUCATION

Globalization presents challenges that demand a new perspective on public affairs. The global economy has shaped a new business-government relationship, blunting the regulatory capacity of governments and introducing greater complexity to the design of public policies to promote important social goals. At the same time, critical policy problems such as environmental degradation, spread of deadly viruses, and financial market instability increasingly require strategies of global public affairs that coordinate across nations the actions of governments, businesses, and non-governmental agencies. In short, globalization has stretched the boundaries of public affairs, analytically and managerially. More than ever, the major and the mundane issues of governance link governments with players outside the public sector and beyond domestic borders.

Global business offers more opportunity today than ever before. However, enhanced opportunities also imply compounded challenges that are accompanied by increased complexity, uncertainty, and risk. Indeed, being global is more than simply geography. It means integrating and leveraging the tools for the successful implementation of a global vision. It also means being adept at understanding and utilizing the forces, ideologies and value systems which shape the way nations and cultures interact, and the way social, political and economic policy impacts every aspect of how modern corporations and organizations operate across the globe. It requires a holistic approach towards harnessing the synergy from economic, human and social capital on a global playing field.

Globalization is changing public affairs education. In an increasingly interconnected world, public affairs communities must respond to international benchmarks. To integrate international benchmarks and local contexts, it is necessary to construct a competitive, healthy, and open academic environment, as well as a forum for the effective exchange of ideas.

There is a need to develop a rigorous professional training across several disciplines, to prepare practitioners to engage in public affairs in ways that meet the challenges of globalization, helping them to understand the inter-governmental, cross-cultural, and global non-governmental aspects of policy problems. Practitioners need to understand and solve the challenges presented by local and regional policy issues in countries around the world and builds skills in policy advice and implementation.  In our contemporary, globalized world, even seemingly "purely local" issues often spill over to affect other jurisdictions, and the solutions to many local policy and governance problems require attention to broader global perspectives.

To develop their global perspective, public affairs professionals need to have a solid track record in international diplomacy, public affairs consultancy. They must have a knowledge of stakeholders/government agencies and the political dynamics that drive effective influencing strategies. They need to have in-depth knowledge and an understanding of the players in international trade as well as policy-makers both at home and abrod. They need a knowledge of the practical application of domestic trade policy including such issues as market access and intellectual property protection. They need to have full knowledge of business and the organization's commercial objectives and strategy, and when effective lobbying and advocacy can support  those objectives.

The skills and competencies are highly demanding and include:

• Superior negotiating skills
• Excellent written and oral communications
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to multi-task and handle a wide range of complex issues
• Entrepreneurial nature; self-starter
• Keen political and organizational savvy
• Awareness and insight into ever-changing global political trends
• Strategic Thinking
• Keen problem-solving skills
• Ability to build relationships and interface effectively at all levels of an organization
• Personal and interpersonal skills necessary to be a "player" at the highest levels of international circles and to be rapidly accepted as a per and "go to" person by government officials, other companies, trade associations, think tanks, both at home and abroad.