Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (Ogilvy PR) is a global, multi-disciplinary communications leader operating in more than 80 offices across six continents. Ogilvy PR integrates deeply with all Ogilvy & Mather disciplines (advertising, direct marketing, activation, promotional, digital and entertainment) through the proprietary Ogilvy Fusion™ approach to delivering comprehensive, business solutions through content creation, community building, and communications with measurable results.

APCO Worldwide was founded by the law firm of Arnold & Porter, one of Washington D.C.'s largest law firms. APCO has offices and is headquartered in Washington D.C. and has offices in 29 locations in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Many APCO executives were previously prominent government officials. APCO’s clientele consists of multi-national corporations, governments, associations and nonprofit organizations.

Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations firm with offices in 81 countries. The firm’s diverse team of thinkers, strategists, analysts, producers, designers, developers and campaign activators has won the most prestigious awards in the world for innovative, creative approaches and impactful work, including being honored as a 2014 Ad Age A-List Agency and winning four 2013 Cannes Lions.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 90 offices in 52 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP, one of the world's largest communications services groups . In 2011, Hill & Knowlton was rebranded Hill+Knowlton Strategies in an effort to emphasize its position in strategic communications and increased investment in digital and research.

Fleishman-Hillard Inc. is the world's most complete communications company specializing in Public Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing, Paid Media and Transmedia and Social Content, founded and based in St. Louis, Missouri. It was acquired by Omnicom Group in 1997, becoming part of the Diversified Agency Services (DAS) division. In 1994, the company expanded its operations to the Asia Pacific region with an office in Beijing. In May 2013, the company rebranded its name to Fleishman-Hillard.

A community of practice is a group of people who come together to share and learn from one another face-to-face or virtually. They are held together by a common interest in a body of knowledge and are driven by a desire and need to share problems, experiences, insights, templates, tools and best practices. Members deepen their knowledge by interacting on an ongoing basis. This interaction leads to continuous learning and innovation.

Our Objective

There is often a gap between the ideal and the reality of government relations/public policy advocacy in practice – a matter of concern to many, including students of the discipline. As an occupation, government relations/public policy advocacy is not free of the concerns of its students, academics and professionals.

1. Mr. Yang Yani from the Communist Party of China's (CPC) international relations department has been appointed as the New Chinese Ambassador to the European Union.

2. Mr. Stefaan De Rynck has been named Head of Unit for Free Movement of Capital in the European Commission's Department for the Internal Market and Services.

3. Mr. Nicolas Gilbert-Morin has been appointed Head of Cabinet by Mr. László Andor, the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.

Beside all the external threats Government Relations/Public Policy Advocacy practitioners may face, a more serious threat is the threat of apathy. The dictionary defines apathy as a state of indifference or the suppression of passion, emotion or excitement also, the lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting. The opposite of apathy is enthusiasm, fervour, concern and passion.

AALEP's view of a community of practice is that of a group of people who share a concern for government relations and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.

Our view of a community of practice is not merely that of a club of friends or a network of connections between people. Our community of practice's identity is defined by a shared interest in government relations. Our Community Membership therefore implies a commitment to the field of government relations and therefore a shared competence.