A new report from the McKinsey Global Institute finds that the right reforms and investments can help Africa’s largest economy realize its potential and lift millions out of poverty.

A number of longstanding consulting firms and senior practitioners in Australia have come together to establish a professional government relations industry association that will promote ethical standards, greater transparency and a binding code of conduct which will apply to all members.

The newly formed Australian Professional Government Relations Association (APGRA) came into effect on 1st July 2014 and aims to:

Sanctions involve one party attempting to change another party's behaviour without the use of weapons or the military. The offending party is being punished economically, socially or politically. Sanctions range from travel bans and arms embargoes, to complete trade bans.

Ukraine's newly-elected authorities should take into account the interests of all citizens of the country. Ukraine will never cease to be a bridge between Europe and Russia. The ideal solution for Ukraine, like every informed observer has already pointed out, is a federalist Ukraine with strong autonomous regions. Each region would have jurisdiction over its economy, finances, culture, language, and education, and external economic and cultural connections with neighboring countries or regions.

India today is a trillion dollar market with an enviable rate of GDP growth. India's economy is fuelled by a combination of a large services sector, a strong and diversified manufacturing base and a significant agricultural sector that continues to provide a framework for the growth of the domestic economy. Today, India plays an increasingly important role in global geopolitics- not only as the world's largest democracy, but also as an economic powerhouse that is coming into its own.

Communications between individuals representing a corporation or its employees and government officials may be subject to a requirement that those communications be reported. Specific rules apply to the lobbying of officials in the Canadian federal government, in some provinces and in some municipalities. Each of these governmental bodies has its own rules, and it is wise to gain an understanding of them before undertaking communications with government officials.

There are a number of sections in South Africa’s Constitution, which deal directly with the concept of public participation, charging both Houses of the National Parliament and all Provincial Legislatures with the responsibility of facilitating public participation. Additionally, Section 118 (1) makes provision for the public to have access to Provincial Legislatures and to be involved in legislative processes. It states that Provincial Legislatures must facilitate such public involvement.

The words ‘Institutional and Government Relations’ are  increasingly being used in the field of public policy advocacy. Basically it refers to ‘Relationship Management’ on behalf of a client (Consultant), Company/Organization (in-house) for the purpose of raising the public image with legislators, institutional representatives and the media.

Major functions and tasks may include:

AALEP is intent on building global partnerships with other associations of government relations professionals in order to enhance the impact of the profession throughout the world.

A new European Commission, a new European Parliament means an entirely different set of rules, players, and a dramatically altered landscape for Public Policy Advocates . Today, the number of organizations vying for the EU attention has increased exponentially which means that getting your Public Policy Advocacy message to the right person, at the right time, has never been so critical - or so challenging. Transparency, accountability and a shift in decision making powers continue to increase the complicated juggling act that Public Policy Advocacy staff are expected to perform.