In the United States, the federal Lobbying Disclosure Act defines "lobbying activity" as "any efforts in support of such contacts, including preparation or planning activities, research and other background work that is intended, at the time of its preparation, for use in contacts and coordination with the lobbying activities of others." An individual must register as a lobbyist if they spend more than 20 percent of their time on "lobbying activity."

The Transparency Register exempts accredited diplomats, consular officials, and other recognized foreign government representatives from its requirements. Furthermore  a person engaging or agreeing to engage only in private and non-political activities in furtherance of the bona fide trade or commerce of a foreign principal is also not subject to the registration requirement.

The EU defines ‘Interest Representation' as “activities carried out with the objective of influencing the policy formulation and decision-making processes of the European institutions”. This definition does not include:

– activities concerning legal and other professional advice, in so far as they relate to the exercise of the fundamental right to a fair trial of a client, including the right of defence in administrative proceedings, such as carried out by lawyers or by any other professionals involved therein;

The EU is quick to say that 'Europe needs to listen more to its citizens to make sure that policies designed in Brussels take into account the diversity of an Union of 28 Member States with over 500 million citizens".

According to the 'Standard Barometer 80' (published in Autumn 2013), two-thirds of Europeans consider that their voice does not count in the EU (66%). The proportion of Europeans considering that their voice counts in the EU still represents less than three Europeans in ten (29%).

My Voice does NOT Count

The revised Agreement (EP + EC) concerning the Transparency Register includes a strengthening of the Code of Conduct. Here after is the 'new Code of Conduct'

The parties hereto (read EP + EC) consider that all interest representatives interacting with them, whether on a single occasion or more frequently, registered or not, should behave in conformity with this code of conduct.

In their relations with EU institutions and their Members, officials and other staff, interest representatives shall:

A new review of the Transparency Register is scheduled for 2017.

The revised Agreement (between the EP and the EC) includes a number of improvements and clarifications including:

On Tuesday 15 April 2014, during the last plenary session in Strasbourg before the European Parliament elections an overwhelming majority of MEPs (646) voted in favour of a mandatory Transparency Register by 2016 ('Calls on the Commission to submit by the end of 2016, a legislative proposal for the establishment of a mandatory register).

In the meantime and in order to encourage lobbyists working with the EU institutions to sign up the EU's Transparency Register, the EP introduces the following measures:

Dans un contexte économique et social déprimé qui fragilise l'Union européenne vis-à-vis de ses citoyens et à l'heure où les enjeux identitaires se réveillent et alertent les opinions publiques, le scénario d'un renforcement des partis d'extrême droite au Parlement européen prend corps et apparaît comme une éventualité de plus en plus crédible.
 

For every issue, there are stakeholders that are either with you, against you, or somewhere in between. In public policy advocacy work moving an opponent into a neutral space may be as valuable as moving an ally closer to you.

Categorization

Leading Allies: You need to actively support them, nurture them, encourage them, provide feedback to them

Active Allies: They agree with you and are fighting alongside with you. You need to identify them, contact them and empower them.

In public policy advocacy work, there's almost always someone opposed to whatever it is you're doing. Even if your goal is something everyone can agree on, there will be those who disagree with your methods for achieving it. When your opposition starts fighting your efforts, it's best to be familiar with what tactics they might use to do so and how you and/or the group you represent might most effectively respond.

The Ten ‘D’s