THE VALUE OF PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY

Vibrant communication and public debate, close interaction and engagement between any government and citizens are central to a well-functioning democracy. Structured and inclusive consultation, open and honest dialogue and positive and constructive relations with all stakeholders and interests are vital to support informed and evidence-based decision making.

All this helps ensure that policy formulation and development process benefits from full information and that all individuals, groups and interests in society have an opportunity to contribute to it. It also supports the political process in finding a balance between competing interests, in fostering consensus and in helping to guide and educate political debate.

Interest groups, representative bodies, industry and civil society organisations, NGOs, charities and third party Public Policy Advocates all provide crucial input and feedback to the political and public administration systems through communication of the views and concerns of the public to any national or supranational government e.g. EU institutions.

However, they also clearly seek to influence the policy and decision-making process in order to align it to their goals and objectives. These goals and objectives may reflect a private, commercial or sectional interest or what may be represented as a wider public interest or benefit. It is incumbent upon any national or supranational government e.g. EU institutions to ensure that such engagements occur only in an open and transparent fashion.

Public Policy Advocacy activity forms an important element of the democratic process and provides a national or supranational government and decision makers with an understanding of how prospective decisions may affect both individuals and organisations. It leads to greater openness and transparency on public policy formulation and provides valuable input to the decision making process.

Encouraging participation in the decision making process and ensuring that it is done in a fully open manner serves to increase the value of Public Policy Advocacy.